How is Swiss import duty calculated?

Unlike most countries, Switzerland levies customs duty by gross weight, not value. Duty is charged as a Swiss franc amount per 100 kilograms, with the rate depending on the goods type. Light, high-value items therefore often attract very little duty.

What is the import VAT rate in Switzerland?

Switzerland charges import VAT at the standard rate of 8.1%, or the reduced rate of 2.6% on items such as food and books. VAT is calculated on the goods value plus shipping plus any customs duty.

Is there a duty-free threshold?

Yes. Import VAT is not collected when the total VAT amount would be CHF 5 or less, which translates to a small consignment value. Above that, VAT and any applicable duty are charged, plus the carrier's clearance fee.

What is the customs clearance fee?

Couriers and the postal service charge an administrative fee to handle the customs declaration and advance the taxes, typically a fixed amount of CHF 10–30 per parcel. This is separate from the duty and VAT themselves.

Does this calculator store my data?

No. All figures are computed locally in your browser and nothing is uploaded, so your data stays private.

Switzerland Import Duty & Customs Calculator

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This Switzerland import duty and customs calculator estimates the total landed cost of goods shipped into Switzerland. The Swiss system is unusual: customs duty is charged by weight, not by value, and is added to 8.1% import VAT and a courier clearance fee.

How it works

The calculation runs in this order:

1. Customs duty = (gross weight kg / 100) × rate per 100 kg
2. VAT base     = goods value + shipping + customs duty
3. Import VAT   = VAT base × 8.1% (or 2.6% reduced)
4. Landed cost  = goods + shipping + duty + VAT + clearance fee

Because duty is weight-based, a light but expensive item (a watch, electronics) attracts almost no duty, while a heavy bulk item can attract more. Import VAT, by contrast, is value-based and applies the standard 8.1% or reduced 2.6% rate. A small de-minimis rule means VAT is waived when it would be CHF 5 or less.

Example

You import goods worth CHF 600 with CHF 40 shipping, weighing 5 kg, at a duty rate of CHF 20 per 100 kg. Duty is 5/100 × 20 = CHF 1. The VAT base is 600 + 40 + 1 = 641, so VAT at 8.1% is about CHF 51.9. Adding a CHF 18 clearance fee gives a landed cost of roughly CHF 711.

Notes

This is an estimate. Real duty rates per 100 kg vary widely by tariff number, and free-trade agreements can reduce duty to zero with a valid certificate of origin. Confirm rates with the Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) and your carrier.