The transition to Passar 2.0 Import is gaining momentum, but it is not yet a comprehensive switch that will simply be flipped in June 2026. This distinction is crucial for importers, freight forwarders, customs agents, software providers, and IT departments.
The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) is introducing the new digital goods traffic system for imports with Passar 2.0. It aims to replace e-dec import and gradually move Swiss customs clearance into a more digitalized process logic. Officially, the first two expansion steps of the Passar 2.0 Import Standard will be available for pilot deployments starting in the second quarter of 2026. This includes domicile processes at Authorized Recipients and various border crossings.
A BAZG presentation on software development cites the start of pilots in March 2026 as possible. The border crossings mentioned as pilots include Basel Weil Highway and Chiasso Brogeda Merci. Scaling is described as possible from May 2026, but with the caveat “depending on needs.” This is important: Scaling does not automatically mean that all companies must fully transition by June 2026.
Experience shows why this caution is necessary. Passar 2.0 Import is not just a new interface for an old customs declaration. The transition affects master data, roles, permissions, financial processes, document referencing, interfaces, archiving, and internal control processes. Companies with ERP, TMS, DMS, or their own customs software must early on verify where e-dec import is still deeply embedded in their processes.
A central change concerns the current ZAZ account. The BAZG states that the existing ZAZ accounts will be replaced by the Business Partner ID (GP-ID) starting in 2026. Companies must register as business partners in the Federal ePortal for this. In commercial goods traffic, the GP-ID will increasingly replace the current ZAZ accounts.
This also changes the financial logic in imports. The GP-ID will not only be used for identification but also as a key for roles, invoicing, and document permissions. The BAZG documents show that individual participants will receive different rights for goods registration, assessment decisions, financial aggregation, and invoicing. Representatives, Customs Invoice Recipients, VAT Invoice Recipients, and Importers are not treated equally in this regard.
For the economy, the greatest uncertainty at present is the timeline. Publicly visible information shows, on one hand, pilots and first expansion steps starting in 2026. On the other hand, the BAZG roadmap continues to refer to the transition from e-dec import to Passar between now and 2027. Switzerland Global Enterprise also states in a seminar note that the BAZG roadmap anticipates the replacement of e-dec import with Passar 2.0 by March 31, 2027, while parallel operation is set to commence in the second quarter of 2026.
This classification fits with the feedback from the software practice. When a software provider states that critical functions such as correction after activation, aggregation, eVV referencing, or complete bordereau succession are not yet available in the necessary depth, this does not necessarily contradict the BAZG. It rather describes the difference between pilots, technical availability, limited process utilization, and broad productive everyday applicability.
For companies, this means: Don’t wait, but also don’t panic. Preparation must start now. However, the complete operational transition will likely occur in stages and strongly depend on when the BAZG, software providers, and individual companies can stably utilize the required functional scope.
Particularly affected are companies that regularly import into Switzerland and have not fully outsourced their customs processes to a service provider. But also shippers working with freight forwarders should not ignore this issue. If the GP-ID, document roles, or invoice recipients are improperly set up, it can later affect duties, document referencing, archiving, and internal controls.
For customs agents and freight forwarders, Passar 2.0 Import will be a consulting and process project. It’s not enough to simply install a new version of customs software. Customers must understand who takes on which role, who receives documents, who owes duties, who is allowed to reference invoices, and how records can be archived in a revision-safe manner.
Therefore, the clean headline is not: “Nationwide rollout starting June 2026.” A better headline would be: “Passar 2.0 Import starts 2026 with pilot and parallel operation; the wide replacement of e-dec import will remain a gradual transition until 2027.” This is less spectacular but closer to reality.