In general terms, the goods that are intended for your own personal use or your
family's use may be imported without any duty being payable, provided such goods fall within the category of
"household effects".
"Household effects" include personal articles for everyday use, as well as items for personal use in your profession or in the running of your business, provided you have used such items for at least six months outside Switzerland and you intend to continue to use them in Switzerland.
The right to an exemption from duty is, however, dependent on certain conditions:
- the person entering the country must undertake to continue to use the household effects for personal purposes;
- the household effects must be brought into the country in the course of the period during which relocation to Switzerland takes place;
- to obtain an exemption from duty, an application must be made when the effects are imported using the
form: "Declaration/Application for Clearance of Household Effects" (to save time, we recommend that you download this form from the internet and complete it before passing through customs);
- a detailed inventory of the property being imported, your Swiss residence papers, contract of employment, apartment lease as well as the form mentioned above (completed as required) must be submitted to the customs authorities (it is also recommended that you attach the relevant receipts for furniture or items of personal equipment as proof of the date of purchase).
If you require any further information, feel free to contact the Federal Customs
Administration.
Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2006
Reproduction is authorised.
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