If you would like to bring your car or motorbike with you to Switzerland from a different country, you must go through the import process. Switzerland is not part of the EU but has agreed to reduce customs rates for cars from EU countries. If you plan to use a foreign car in Switzerland for a long period of time, you must declare it. Here's what you need to know about importing a car to Switzerland.
The amount you must pay to import a vehicle into Switzerland is based on how long you have owned the vehicle for, and where the vehicle is from. Each car and motorbike has a detailed sales history, showing where the vehicle was purchased and when it was imported. The system applies to used and new vehicles in different ways. When you reach the Swiss border, you must declare that your vehicle is being imported to the border authorities.
If you have owned your vehicle for over six months, it is counted as a personal possession. This means that you will not have to pay any duty on it and may pass freely into Switzerland. At the border (Zoll), you will not have to declare the car or motorbike specifically, but as part of the total assets that you declare when moving to Switzerland.
In the process you must provide:
Once this is complete and you have successfully entered Switzerland, you will only have to go through the vehicle registration process - see below.
If you have owned your vehicle for less than six months or are trying to import a brand-new car, it cannot be classed as personal property and must be declared. This means that you must provide the following documents to the customs authorities:
The costs involved in importing a new vehicle into Switzerland are significant as you must pay duty and value-added tax. The costs involved are:
Once you have declared and paid the duties, you must register the vehicle for the first time.
If you have successfully imported a car or motorbike into Switzerland, you must register it to get new Swiss number plates and to be allowed to drive the vehicle in the country more permanently. New vehicles must be registered within one month of arriving in Switzerland, whereas used cars and motorbikes can be used for one year before having to be registered.
In addition to the things detailed in our guide to registering a vehicle in Switzerland, you must also complete an additional periodic vehicle inspection.
In order to register your imported vehicle, it must be deemed to be safe and compliant with all Swiss traffic laws. The motor vehicle inspection will be completed alongside regular registration and will determine whether your vehicle is safe to drive on the roads. Motor vehicle inspections must be booked at your local traffic office.
If your vehicle is classified as a personal possession, you will be able to use it for one year on foreign plates before you must go through registration. Do bear in mind that vehicle inspections can take up to six months to book, so it is advised to book as early as you can.
Vehicles classed as new must be registered within one month of arrival, so it is recommended to book your vehicle registration and inspection as soon as you arrive.
In order to complete a motor vehicle inspection, it is essential that you provide the following documents:
You will also need to confirm that you have paid for a vehicle registration before attending.
Once you have provided the relevant documents, your car will be assessed to see if it fits the criteria as road legal for Switzerland. If it passes, you can use the vehicle in Switzerland. If it does not pass the motor vehicle inspection, all faults must be fixed before applying again.
The cost of a motor vehicle inspection is determined by the type of vehicle. The costs also vary by canton and are payable on top of any charges for importing the vehicle. The average cost for a motor vehicle inspection is between 100 and 1.000 Swiss francs.
According to Swiss regulations, you are allowed to operate a British or left-sided vehicle on Swiss roads. As long as you have the correct documentation and have successfully imported and registered the vehicle, you should be able to operate the car indefinitely.
However, you must apply a “GB” sticker to the rear of the vehicle, regardless of licence plates. Please bear in mind that driving a left-sided vehicle on Swiss roads will lead to reduced visibility, so it is recommended to purchase a right-sided vehicle as soon as possible.