Importing your car to Switzerland can be a smooth process if you plan ahead. This guide walks you through every step—from customs clearance and technical inspections to registration and ongoing costs—so you can bring your vehicle legally and efficiently. We cover important topics like Swiss customs rules, compliance, deadlines, and cost-saving strategies.
1. Confirm Eligibility to Import
Swiss residents, including expats, can import foreign-registered vehicles, but rules depend on the origin of the vehicle, the duration of your stay, and your Swiss residence permit. As long as you’re staying longer than one year (or become a tax or residence resident immediately), you are eligible to import your car without age-based import restrictions.
If you’re on a temporary permit or working cross-border, you may still use your foreign car legally, but within limits (usually 12 months max). Always confirm your specific situation with the Federal Customs Administration and your canton’s vehicle registration office (Strassenverkehrsamt).
2. Collect Required Documents
Before your arrival, gather all documents necessary for importing your car:
• Vehicle registration document (original).
• Purchase invoice or proof of ownership.
• Valid emissions and technical inspection (MOT) certificates.
• Insurance documents from your country of origin.
• Passport, Swiss residence permit (B, C, or G permit if cross-border), and proof of address registration.
• A “Certificate of Conformity (COC)” or equivalent technical certificates (EU type-approval or third-party homologation documentation).
Missing documents may delay your import or require re-testing of your vehicle.
3. Plan Your Transport Route
You can drive or ship your vehicle to Switzerland.
• By road: Bring all documents, stay on legal routes, and follow customs signage at the border.
• By sea/rail: Usually involves shipping to a port (e.g., Hamburg) and transporting by truck or rail to the border. You still need to clear customs.
Either way, make sure you have insurance valid during transport or transit.
4. Clear Customs: Taxes and Duties
Before the car leaves the border post, you’ll need to register at Swiss customs and pay import duties and taxes based on the car’s customs value. Here’s what typically applies:
Customs duty: 4% of the car’s value if the vehicle is older than one year and from outside Switzerland/EU; often waived for EU imports.
Value-added tax (VAT): 7.7% calculated on the purchase price plus shipping and customs duties.
Approximated import cost: If you purchase a CHF 30,000 car abroad and ship it, expect import charges around CHF 2,400–2,600.
Bring valid proof of car payment and shipping costs when visiting the customs office. You’ll be given a clearance stamp and receipt—don’t lose these.
5. Get the Technical Inspection (MFK – Motorfahrzeugkontrolle)
Once customs clearance is complete, you must bring your car for the cantonal technical inspection. The MFK checks conformity to Swiss standards including braking, lighting, emissions, and safety.
What to prepare:
• The car itself, with fuel levels required for emissions testing.
• All documentation, including customs import stamp and COC.
• A Swiss address to match paperwork.
Inspection fees are around CHF 100–150. If your car passes, you receive the WAB (“Wechsel von ausländischen Zulassungen bei Import”) form—needed for your local vehicle office.
If it fails, you have limited time (usually 30 days) to make modifications and re-test (re-tests are cheaper).
6. Swiss Vehicle Registration and License Plates
With your MFK clearance, head to your Strassenverkehrsamt (Vehicle Office) in town. You will need:
• Passport/residence permit.
• Proof of address registration.
• Customs clearance and WAB form.
• Proof of valid insurance (Switzerland requires car liability insurance—Haftpflichtversicherung).
• Proof of payment of import and VAT duties.
• Inspection or conformity documents.
Your car will be added to the Swiss vehicle register, and you’ll receive Swiss license plates (usually within a day to a week). Expect plate fees of CHF 150–300 depending on canton.
Your foreign plates may stay on the car for 24 hours before removal, but check with local police. Once Swiss plates are issued, the foreign registration is no longer valid in Switzerland.
7. Obtain Swiss Insurance
Swiss law requires third-party auto liability coverage (Haftpflicht) mandatory for every car. For more complete protection, you can also purchase:
Partially comprehensive coverage (TEILKASKO): Covers fire, theft, glass, natural occurrences.
Fully comprehensive (VOLLKASKO): Adds covering damage you cause and vandalism.
EBike optional extras for roadside assistance or vehicle replacement.
Average annual premiums vary widely—CHF 400–1,200 depending on the car model, motor power, canton, your driving record, and optional extras. Shop at comparison portals like Comparis or Local.ch for multiple quotes.
8. Pay Annual Road Taxes and Cantonal Fees
Many cantons charge annual vehicle taxes or road fees:
• Cantonal tax amounts are based on engine displacement or emissions.
• Zurich and Geneva have mileage and emissions-based scales—often CHF 200–400 annually.
• Some cantons waive this for electric vehicles as an incentive.
• Registration (license plate) renewal may be annual, or monthly via short-term visas.
Annual charger fees for electric cars are minimal compared to mileage charges for gas vehicles.
9. Follow Swiss Environmental Standards
Switzerland enforces low-emission zones (LEZ) and incentives for electric or low CO₂ emissions:
• Diesel cars over six years may require particulate filters (DPF).
• EVs get fast-tracking on GRSP inspections and often lower cantonal taxes.
• CO₂ emission-based road taxes encourage early-adopters of low-emissions vehicles.
Some cities (Zurich, Geneva, Basel) have special rules for high-polluting cars or dedicated EV lanes. Stay updated via local websites.
10. Re-Export or Sell in the Future
If you leave Switzerland, you have options:
• Export the car and re-import to your destination country (possible within 12 months); you may be able to reclaim VAT and customs duties, depending on proof of outward bond.
• Sell in Switzerland: This requires deregistration (abmeldung) and handing over plates before purchasing a new vehicle. You can also maintain a Swiss registration if you return within a year.
Swiss used-car sales values are high—up to 30% more than equivalent models in neighboring countries. This can offset import costs.
11. Common Pitfalls and Money-Saving Tips
Set aside funds for import-related curves:
• Ensure your COC is accurate to avoid re-testing.
• If your car exceeds age or emissions limits, investing in minor upgrades (like tires or lights) before technical inspection may be cheaper than re-certification.
• Opt for a canton with lower road tax rates if relocating internally.
• Buy insurance carefully—broad liability-only plans are cheapest, but collision addons are valuable if your car is financed or leased.
• Contact comparison portals and brokers to leverage their collective discounts.
• Consider selling non-compliant accessories (roof racks, bike racks) before inspection; they can cause technical issues.
12. Timeline Overview for the Import Process
- Pre-move: Collect documents including microchip-equivalent certificates and COC.
- At Swiss border: Customs clearance and tax payment.
- After border: MFK inspection (within 1 month).
- Then: Swiss registration, plates, insurance set-up.
- All done: Road tax, parking permit, and any optional insurance services.
Final Thoughts
Importing a car to Switzerland involves paperwork, budgeting, and some timing—but proper preparation turns the process into a straightforward administrative journey. Remember to gather all documents, align with Swiss standards, and plan for inspections and tax payments. Once imported, your car becomes a reliable Swiss-registered companion, fully compliant and backed by Swiss insurance.
If you plan the process, budget for total costs (import duties, inspection, plates, insurance), and choose the right canton and insurance provider, you’ll enjoy the freedom of Swiss roads without stress.