After I found the car I wanted I contacted the relevant dealership in Germany. I asked for all the papers that I needed to export the car. The dealership prepared all this. He also prepared a temporary full coverage insurance for 2 weeks (if I would do it again I would ask for a longer one - will tell you more about it further down).
The papers I got was:
- "COC" paper (certificate of CO2 emission)
- the bill
- the insurance papers
- the green paper with the tiny little details of the car
We had to pay, in full, the dealership with a bank transfer before picking up the car (a bit scary!). You pay the price WITH german VAT. After registering the car in Switzerland you send papers back to the car dealership and then you get your VAT back. Anyway, we then went to germany, picked up the car and the papers. No problems at all.
We drove to the border and went in to the german customs - I handed the papers the dealership had prepared. They did some stuff on the computer and gave it back and I was good to go.
We then went to the Swiss border. It was closed. We therefore drove home for the day. After the weekend we went to a local custom office (zoll) and registered the car (for more detailed info see: http://www.ezv.admin.ch/zollinfo_pri...x.html?lang=en ) - in short: you pay 4% of the purchase price (without VAT) and then another 8%. You also have to pay 60CHF for the admin fee. Registration done.
Then, got my insurance approved by phone. Make sure you call your insurance and have an agreement. They will then send electronically a "proof" to the car registration office (where you ask for your plates)
Next step, get swiss plates at the car registration office (for Ticcino go to: http://www4.ti.ch/index.php?id=16397 ). This is where it was a bit painful. The process is simply: do a test of the car (cost 120CHF) and then get your registration plates (60CHF or so) and pay taxes for the car (price depends on the car - environmentally friendly cars are cheaper, big engine cars are expensive. But usually anything from 150CHF to 600CHF. Logical.).
However, our temporary plates were valid for 2 weeks and the next available test appointment (in Lugano) was in 5 weeks time (this is because a lot of people are now importing cars. Euro is weak). This meant, we had 3 weeks without a car. I called the insurance and they couldn't insure a foreign plate - they needed a swiss plate. I asked for a temporary swiss plate but they only give it to Swiss cars and not imported car. I called the tax office and asked for a grenzversicherung (border insurance) but they said as I paid the taxes already so in their eyes it was a Swiss car. This is why I wrote in the beginning of this post (get a longer temporary insurance and you will have no problem if there is a waiting period for the test).
After you get your plates (they will be different size from your german standard plates so you have to go to a garage and get some "holders" for them). Of course you can do this earlier if you are a good planner. I did it afterwards as I was not aware of the size - I got it for free by the garage. Bought them a six pack beer. In case you need to come back one day and it is always nice with beer.
Lastly, contact your dealership after you registered the car. Send them the necessary paper and get your VAT pack.
I must say - the process was very easy overall. It was worth it for sure. I have a B-permit and it was no problem for me.