Sending to Switzerland: at a glance
- Duty-free limit
- No duty or VAT is levied if the calculated amount is under CHF 5.00 per customs declaration (duty and VAT considered separately). The CHF 150 limit applies to travellers only; parcels do not get it.
- Tax above the limit
- Import VAT at the standard rate of 8.1% (since 1 January 2024) applies; with the CHF 5 rule, goods worth up to CHF 62 pay no VAT (CHF 193 at the reduced 2.6% rate).
- Used personal items
- Domestic returned goods (Inlaendische Rueckwaren); VAT refund for goods imported personally for private use and re-exported personally
- Put in the parcel
- Customs content declaration (CN22/CN23 or invoice) with description and value of each item.
- For gifts: a gift marking on the outside of the parcel.
- For returned Swiss goods: evidence they were exported from Switzerland and are unaltered.
These are the usual rules. Customs and courier rules can change at any time, so confirm with Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG / FOCBS) before sending.
Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG / FOCBS)What can you usually send?
Alcohol and tobaccoUsually limited
- Tobacco and alcohol: Excluded from the CHF 100 gift relief.
Your own used itemsUsual rules
- Swiss goods sent abroad and returned unaltered can be re-imported duty-free; re-import within five years unless returned to the original sender; request the exemption in the import declaration.
- Personally imported goods for private use that are re-exported personally: VAT refund window of six months (BAZG refunds of Swiss VAT page).
- Items of foreign origin brought in by a visitor and sent back out are re-exports; ask BAZG about the transfer-of-residence relief (Uebersiedlungsgut).
- Customs content declaration (Zollinhaltserklaerung)
- e-dec import declaration if declared through the post or a carrier
Anything not listed here (clothes, bags, toys, your own used things) usually follows the standard parcel rules and the duty-free limit above.
Send it yourself
- Ask the office holding it whether they post items, or who may collect it for you (a written authorisation and a copy of your ID).
- Someone collects it and packs it securely.
- Book a courier with a clear description and value; outside the EU it needs electronic customs data.
- The receiver pays any import duty or tax on arrival.
Offices usually work Greek office hours, and staff may answer in Greek. A service we recommend can make the calls and handle the pickup for you.
Rather not do it yourself? Couriers we recommend
Ask whether they can collect it from the office that has it, pack it and send it, and help with the customs paperwork. Ask for the price first.
Family-run Athens courier since 1988. Sends parcels within Greece and abroad, helps with customs clearance, and can store extra bags for travellers and deliver them later. Ask for a price on their website.
We recommend services we think are useful; some may pay us a fee if you book. Prices and terms are set by the service, so check them before you book.
More details
In short
Switzerland is outside the EU customs union. BAZG charges no duty or import VAT when the amount calculated is under CHF 5 per customs declaration, and gifts from a private individual abroad to a private individual in Switzerland are duty-free up to CHF 100 goods value. Swiss goods returned unaltered can be re-imported duty-free (request exemption in the import declaration).
Good to know
- The recipient pays: the carrier bills duty, VAT and usually a clearance fee.
- Duty claims after assessment must be contested within 60 days of the assessment decision.
- Import VAT is due on parcels; check the BAZG site for any duty on your goods.