Switzerland is one of the most important export markets for German companies — yet for customs purposes it is unambiguously a third country. It belongs neither to the EU nor to the EU customs union. In practice, every cross-border shipment means an electronic export declaration on the EU side, an export accompanying document (ABD) for transport, and import clearance in Switzerland. With Smart Zollagentur you create the EU-side export declaration yourself online and our customs experts review it, so your shipment reaches the border without delay.
How we support your Switzerland export
You create the export declaration yourself online, our customs experts review it — fast, digital, and checked by specialists:
- Export declaration via ATLAS — the legally required electronic notification to German customs. Above a goods value of €1,000 or a weight of 1,000 kg it is mandatory for Switzerland. Read more about the procedure on our export declaration & ABD page.
- Export accompanying document (ABD) — the digital provision of the approved declaration that accompanies your shipment to the exit customs office. Without a valid ABD the carrier cannot export the goods.
- Exit confirmation (AGV) — the official customs proof that your goods have left the EU. You receive it automatically by email via our interface, or retrieve it any time in the online portal.
How customs clearance to Switzerland works
- Enter your data — you provide the consignor, consignee, goods description, values, commodity code (HS code), and Incoterms in our online form. This typically takes just a few minutes.
- Expert review — our customs specialists check your information for completeness and accuracy, and assess whether a proof of origin is sensible and possible.
- ABD by email or in the portal — after the declaration has been submitted to ATLAS, you receive the confirmation within an hour and the ABD after the customs examination period, by email or available in the customer portal. Transport to Switzerland can then begin.
What our service covers — and what it does not
With us you create the German export declaration online; our customs experts review it and submit it through ATLAS. You receive the ABD and the exit confirmation. Import clearance in Switzerland is not part of our service. It is usually handled by the transport provider, or by a customs broker instructed by the carrier or your consignee. Who bears the import duties is governed by the agreed delivery term — more on this in Incoterms for Switzerland: DDP or DAP.
Two points to clarify before you ship:
- Driving the goods to Switzerland yourself? Then there is no transport provider to declare the import. Arrange the Swiss import declaration before you set off, so the consignment is not held at the border.
- The goods must be available until release. Until customs releases the goods for export, they have to be accessible for a possible control at the stated place in Germany. Only schedule the pick-up once the ABD is there. Background in presentation and customs inspection.
Proof of origin & preferential tariffs
A free trade agreement is in place between the EU and Switzerland. For goods with EU preferential origin, this allows the Swiss import duty to be avoided — your customers pay no or a reduced customs duty on import. The condition is a valid proof of origin: usually an origin statement on the invoice, or a movement certificate EUR.1 for higher values.
Important: preferential origin only reduces the import customs duty. Swiss import VAT still applies and is levied on import. Which goods qualify as originating products and what proof is required is something we explain in detail in our proof of origin for Switzerland guide.
Pricing
An export declaration for Switzerland costs €30 per declaration (€25 for high-volume customers). The base price includes one tariff line; each additional tariff line is charged at €5. All prices are net, excluding statutory VAT. For an overview of the duties that arise on import into Switzerland, see Switzerland customs cost; the full price list for our services is on the pricing page.
To start your first Switzerland declaration, log in to the customer portal. There you can create orders, track the processing status, and download your documents.