Cross Border

Hello,

I need help

I will be moving in Switzerland so I have question.

Can I relocate first time via cross border Simplon Zwischenbergen with car/ train from Italy? Does somebody checks you on border and what can I import?

We are coming from Croatia

In theory you have to go to the commercial customs (the one where trucks go, not touristic one where normal cars go) and declare the stuff you are bringing as part of your move.

If you don't have anything of huge value or something that would incur in import duties (e.g. you can bring 200l of beer duty-free if you go to the commercial custom, but not if you go to the tourist customs), in practice you can also try to avoid the hassle and go with the tourist customs.

I moved with the car full of stuff via tourist customs, since it was stuff like clothing and a few electronic items. The guy at the border asked what's with the car full of bags - I said I'm moving, he asked if it is all used more than 6 months - I said "yep", and he just waived me through.

Thank you very much

So if I have something to report i must go through custom offices(large borders) and fill the form for household effects?

And what about my car, my car is 4 months old so to import car I must also go through custom office(big broders) or can i pass through tourist borders nad say that i will import car?

One more question, what about my television and coffe maker?

I think there is only 4 cross borders where I can apply for importation?

Or i can try to pass on Simplon, go on train with my car and see what will happened?

Over-simplified, you don't have to pay duties on stuff that you own and use since 6 months (it's considered "old", otherwise it is "new"), this applies to your TV, coffee maker and also the car.

While you can just say that you have your coffee maker since 6 months (even if it is 4), this trick won't work for the car. So I'm afraid that you will have to pay for the car import, you should get more info about that and get an idea of the costs

I think that this is a good starting point: https://www.ezv.admin.ch/ezv/it/home...trasloco-.html

"See what happens" is a risky strategy when you are importing stuff that has a paper trail (like your car). I would advise to ensure that you are all properly set for the move - otherwise you might commit smuggling, which is a crime

So, everything will be ok except my car

Should I then go on the border where is custom offices (big borders) or I can go in tourists Grenze Cross Border and then imported when I'm already in Switzerland because I think i have one month to do that

Or maybe sell it when I came in Switzerland

I don't know how much is the cost of import

Thank you anyway

as far as I know you may also import the car at a later moment, for example one or two months later, there are customs offices also in other places than the border. I did so for my car, it was more than 6m old. I had to fill a form, declare its value, declare when I cross the border paid approx 35 CHF and it was good to go.

Then you have a year time to get Swiss car plates (a year from your arrival)

This was the procedure back in 2011

About 12% of the value.

Tom

Technically and legally you import it when you cross the border. Not declaring is commonly known as smuggling, illegal, and can lead to hefty fines. However, Swiss customs officials are, compared to their Italian counterparts, quite relaxed. Nevertheless, do it right at first time.

If you drive over the pass the nearest commercial customs office is at Zwischenbergen.

http://www.pwebapps.ezv.admin.ch/apps/dst/?lang=1

As far as I know you cannot use the car train as this allows tourist traffic and goods only. Moving goods , such as your car, are however considered as commercial goods. Maybe it is possible to declare the car at Zwischenbergen and then drive back to Iselle to hop on the train. Check with Swiss Customs if possible. Maybe they might also allwo declaring the car and your other import goods at Brig-Glis. You will only know if you ask.

It is all explained on the Swiss customs website linked by rezak.

You can change the language on the top right hand corner. Or you can also click on this link: https://www.ezv.admin.ch/ezv/en/home...-effects-.html which will bring you directly to the English version. Read, understand, and follow the proper procedure.

See also this FAQ https://www.ezv.admin.ch/ezv/en/home...craft/faq.html

Customs replied me:

Driving across the border is importing the car. When entering in Gondo, you have to declare the car immediately in Brig during regular opening hours:

http://www.pwebapps.ezv.admin.ch/app...?id=251&lang=4

The customs office there will decide which type of import clearance is necessary in your case.

Than you all for help. Hope my relocation and trip will went good.

One more thing is that I will first live on address of friend of mine and then I will searching for our own with my wife. Hope this is also not problem to bring some stuffs with me like electronics, maybe TV, baby’s wheelchair, kinderbett

In addition whatever you would have owed in customs fees, can be doubled as a penalty.

Just do the right stuff, start off on the right foot: read the Swiss custom procedure, in doubt call or write to the Custom Officers, go to the border and declare what is needed.

Thank you all.

And do you maybe know where I can search for apartments that is not on immoscout, comparis, homegate. Some other pages, something like marketplace, private apartments etc.

Thank you very much.

There are several expat fb groups where you will see apartments / houses 'advertised' but they are focused on towns / cantons. If you let us know which part of Switzerland you are going to, people could point them out to you.

Canton Valais.

Something in Naters, Visp, Brig

Looking to close the border on Tuesday, it seems:

https://www.tiresidenti.ch/confini-d...GfJPBb8AxcjC54

Tom

Maybe,

But I think if I’m moving because of work I can cross the border...

Only if you have a work contract and Swiss permit.

Tom

Do you have anything to show that? The way I read the article is that frontalierts can pass but they will have the permit. Better check beforehand what is required for documentation?

That's how it worked last time around.

Also Swiss citizens and residents, but NOT people who are not yet resident.

Tom