A random question.
So if I import something to CH worth over 300chf, I use quickzoll, declare it and pay. easy.
How does it work if I (Swiss resident), bring some used tools/equipment into the EU for a week and then bring them back?
I'm looking at bringing about 2-3k worth of tools to Italy to work on a holiday home, and they'll be on a trailer... so I expect to be stopped at the border.
What about a mini-digger (not mine, but borrowed from a friend)?
Bonus question; do I then need to bring my purchase receipts to bring them back to CH after?
In the old days there was declaration you need to fill out and get stamped on the Swiss side, but that was a long time ago....
You can drive your car into the EU and bring it back with no formalities so why would a trailer be different.
The value of used tools is anyway arguable, certainly no longer 2-3k worth unless they are the Rolls Royce of the tool world.
Basically the principle is you can export and reimport goods for personal use with no import taxes.
This is mostly a Italian customs issue. If you do not follow the proper procedure they can seize your tools and digger.
But not what is on the trailer and in the car.
Basically relevant is the Istanbul Convention on Temporary Admission . Which has special rules for means of transport and personal goods of tourist, which work tools and specially a digger are not. There is a part about professional tools in the convention, but it excludes equipment for the construction, repair or maintenance of buildings or for earth moving and like projects.
You might need a carnet ATA or something similar if Italy allows the temporary import and use.
https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.e…pecific-use_en
I believe the car/trailer is covered by different rules (and pretty easy to prove it came from CH )
The tools include a power barrow, which alone is 1-2k secondhand; a whole raft of makita powertools and some odds and ends. I've heard from others that there were issues with EU plated vehicles coming into CH with tools... so concerned there's a similar issue the other way around.
A carnet would be a royal PITA... maybe I bring the tools one or two at a time when I go visit family, and buy a used barrow in Italy. I can always resell that after...
Thanks all
I think it might be more of a Swiss customs issue: it is easy to believe that a Swiss resident entering Italy is intending to bring all the tools back with them, it is harder to believe that a Swiss resident coming with tools to Switzerland did not buy them in Italy.
FWIW I think that if you have Swiss receipts for them it will make your case easier. In my experience the customs are normally interested in booze and meat and even when I had the car full of stuff it ended up with a simple "you owned all of that more than 6 months?" - "yep" - "go"
You might want to consider also using one of the many non manned crossings. Since you are in the right, with 99% probability you will avoid any questions, and if you happen to get a control after the border - you know you can prove that you're all good
I wouldn't worry. It's very unlikely to be confiscated, if it's not allowed for any reason, they usually give you the chance to rectify the matter so long as you're not evasive or lying. The only thing they confiscate is undeclared cash (and drugs, ciggys, booze) over EUR 10K!!
If you're really worried take the border crossing at Gaggiolo (Exit after Mendrisio exit, direction Stabio, coming from Zurich). There are freight forwarder offices there who can help you with temporary importation, carnets etc. if needed, and I doubt they will be.