Duty-free shopping?

Swiss customs regulations.

VAT-exempt, allowances, total value … It’s easy to get lost amidst the various terms. So that there are no unpleasant surprises, we’ve pulled together everything you need to know about duty-free shopping.

Customs regulations for EU countries

Duty-free import of souvenirs
Travellers can import goods from a third country duty-free under the following conditions.

The traveller carries the goods in question in their personal baggage.

This applies to all transport methods the traveller may use (e.g. including train travel). If your luggage is sent ahead or forwarded separately, the goods do not count as being carried with you.

The goods are for the traveller’s own, personal use.

Souvenirs may be intended exclusively for the traveller’s personal use, for members of their household, or as gifts. Transporting goods for others in return for payment is therefore not permitted. The goods may not under any circumstances be intended for commercial purposes.

If these conditions are met, the following quantity/value allowances apply:

Tobacco products (minimum age 17)

200 cigarettes (40 if resident in Austria) or
100 cigarillos (20 if resident in Austria) or
50 cigars (10 if resident in Austria) or
250 grams of smoking tobacco (50 grams if resident in Austria) or
a proportional combination of these products

Alcohol/alcoholic beverages (minimum age 17)

1 litre of spirits with an alcohol content of more than 22% vol. or
2 litres of spirits, aperitifs made of wine or alcohol, tafia, sake, or similar beverages with an alcohol content of less than 22% vol. and
4 litres of wine (non-sparkling) and
16 litres of beer
Perfume, coffee, tea, and precious metals fall under the general allowance for “Other goods”

Necessary medications for the traveller’s personal use

Other goods

Goods up to the total value of €300
For travellers under the age of 15, the maximum allowance is €150.

Fuel
contained in a motorised vehicle’s main fuel tank (as installed by the manufacturer) may be imported duty-free. In addition, 10 litres may be carried in a portable container when the container is imported by car or motorcycle. However, any fuel imported duty-free may only be used in the vehicle in which it was imported.

Further information about allowances
Please note that limited quantity and value allowances apply for certain groups of people, such as residents of border-adjacent municipalities or cross-border commuters. To determine whether the value allowances have been complied with or exceeded, the value of the goods including foreign VAT shall be used. The value allowances of multiple people may not be combined. If the travel allowance is exceeded on non-divisible goods, the import duties shall be charged on the total value of the goods, and not solely on the value that exceeds the allowance.

Customs regulations for Switzerland

In principle, goods intended for private use or as gifts are duty-free. Exceptions apply for so-called sensitive goods (such as foods, alcohol, and tobacco) from a specified amount upwards.

Tobacco products (minimum age 17)

250 cigarettes/cigars | CHF 0.25 duty per unit for additional quantities
250 units of other tobacco products | CHF 0.10 duty per unit for additional quantities

Alcohol/alcoholic beverages (minimum age 17)

5 litres with an alcohol content of up to 18% vol. | CHF 2.00 duty per litre for additional quantities
1 litre from an alcohol content of 18% vol. upwards | CHF 15.00 duty per litre for additional quantities
Beverages with an alcohol content of up to 0.5% vol. are not considered alcoholic beverages

Animal products

1 kilogram of meat and meat preparations from all animals with the exception of venison, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates | CHF 17.00 duty per kilogram up to 10kg and CHF 23.00 duty per kilogram from 10kg for additional quantities
1 kilogram or litre of butter and cream (from 15% fat content) | CHF 16.00 duty per kilogram or litre for additional quantities
5 kilograms or litres of oils, fats, margarine for food purposes | CHF 2.00 duty per kilogram or litre for additional quantities

Necessary medications for the traveller’s personal use

A month’s supply is a reasonable amount.

Other goods

Goods up to the total value of CHF 300.00
If the total value of all goods exceeds CHF 300.00, VAT must be paid.

These details are solely for informational purposes and are non-binding. They may be subject to change. For more detailed information, please contact the relevant customs authority.