Importing Foreign Cars to Switzerland

Swiss customs officials must be informed as soon as a vehicle being imported arrives in the country. Customs will provide a form to be completed and shown along with the following documents:

• Driver's licence
• Proof of identity
• Invoice/receipt of purchase of the car
• Proof of vehicle's origin

Tax and import duty will be charged; the amount due will depend on how long the owner has had the car.

Customs will inform the Road Traffic Office (Service des Automobiles et de la Navigation), who will send the forms required to apply for Swiss licence plates.

Tax and Import Duty

No import duty will be charged on a vehicle owned for more than six months. A clearance request form (available from customs) must be completed.

A vehicle may be driven with its foreign licence plate for one year.

Cars and motorcycles imported from Europe may be brought in tax-free provided proof of origin can be presented.

The following taxes are due on an imported car owned for less than six months:

• Customs duties: rate based on the weight and the engine capacity of the vehicle
• Consumption tax: amounting to 4% of the car's worth
• VAT (value added tax)
• Fee: for the report (a document that is required in order to register the vehicle in Switzerland).

Exemptions from import duty and VAT

• Importing a car due to marriage
• Importing a car for succession purposes
• Import for foreign diplomats

Cars imported from the United States

Cars imported from the United States must have the correct tyres adapted to the maximum authorised speed, shatter proof windscreens, the speedometer must display Kilometres per hour (Km/h) and headlights need to be adapted to suit European regulations. 

Imported cars should have a catalytic converter fitted in order to reduce pollution. 
Note: Most modern EU and US approved vehicles already meet this requirement.

Registering an Imported Vehicle

Approximately a month after importing a vehicle, the motor registration office will write, informing the owner that they have up to a year in which the vehicle must pass the official technical inspection (Contrôle technique du véhicule).

Documents required for the technical inspection:

• Proof of car insurance
• Customs form (13.20)
• Original registration card or certificate (log book)
• Emissions test certificate (test anti pollution)
• Technical information concerning the vehicle; maximum speed, weight, engine size, brake horsepower and Swiss fiscal rating (CV)

Both the Automobile Club of Switzerland and the Touring Club of Switzerland are able to carry out a technical inspection which will highlight any necessary modifications that need to be made in order for a vehicle to pass the official technical test.

A foreign car must have the CH sticker on the back. All cars must have a triangular warning sign in the car.

For more information contact the local Road Traffic Office. 

Canton of Geneva

• Service des Automobiles et de la Navigation (Road Traffic Office)
  At: 86, rue du Veyrier, 1227 Carouge
  Tel: +41 (0)22 388 30 30
  e-mail
  Website

For information concerning technical questions, the Road Traffic Office telephone lines are open from Monday to Friday, 07:30-11:30. Tel: +41 (0)22 388 31 20

To make an appointment for a technical inspection call from Monday to Friday, 08:30-12:00 and from 13:30-16:00. Tel: +41 (0)22 388 31 10

Canton of Vaud

• Service des Automobiles et de la Navigation (Road Traffic Office)
  At: Avenue du Grey 110-112, CH - 1014 Lausanne
  Tel: +41 (0)21 316 82 10
  Fax: +41 (0)21 316 82 11
  Website 

Further Information

• Swiss Customs  
• Federal Roads Office (FEDRO)
• Touring Club Suisse
• Automobile Club Suisse