Häufig gestellte Fragen

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As a rule, every shipment from abroad is liable to customs duty and VAT. As the recipient of a shipment from abroad, you pay the value-added tax (VAT) on the value of the goods (incl. freight/customs costs) and customs duty on the gross weight, if they have not already been taken over by the sender. These costs should not be confused with the transport costs that are paid when the shipment is posted.

No customs clearance for items sent from one private individual to another:
  • For personal/private use Up to CHF 100.00
  • Declared as a gift or clearly a gift
Customs clearance is always required for the following exceptions:
  • Tobacco products
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Other goods that are subject to an “order not prescribed by customs law”
Depending on value and the type of goods imported you may expect the following:
  • Customs import duties (percentage of shipment value and transport charges)
  • Local tax.
  • DHL surcharge for Customs clearance fee/ Disboursements
  • Any regulatory charges, if applicable
As a rule, every shipment from abroad is liable to customs duty and VAT.
  • The tax-free limit of CHF 150.00 only applies to tourist traffic.
  • The Swiss Act on the Movement of Goods (Warenverkehr-Gesetz) applies when importing goods.
  • Customs duties and value-added tax are not charged if the amount calculated is less than CHF 5.00 per customs declaration, whereby customs duties and VAT charges are considered separately.
  • The upper value limit (goods value, incl. transport costs and customs duties) for an import exempt from VAT is:
    • 8,1% VAT (applicable to majority of all shipments) => CHF 61.00
    • 2,6% VAT (e.g., books) => CHF 192.00

Goods purchased via the internet do not met the conditions of the exemption limit of CHF 150.00 and are subject to customs duties and value added tax (VAT) pursuant to the general regulations.

All services which are provided before and during effective customs clearance are to be taken into account in the VAT amount in accordance with customs regulations and are to be taxed accordingly.
Services which arise during the customs clearance process and which cannot be foreseen are taxed on the DHL Express invoice at a rate of 8,1%.

DHL Express offers three products: DHL EXPRESS WORLDWIDE (TDI), DHL ECONOMY SELECT (DDI) and Weltpaket (import of a parcel from Germany)

DHL EXPRESS WORLDWIDE (invoice number DB):
  • The customs clearance fee is included in the transport fee. A disbursement (administrative cost) of CHF 19.00 incurs if there is no deferment account registered with DHL Express Switzerland.

DHL ECONOMY SELECT (invoice number YE):
  • Informal clearance costs CHF 19.00 (goods value < CHF 1'000.00 / weight < 1'000kg / no ancillary laws (customs duties, tobacco and/or alcohol taxes / import licences / other taxes).
  • Formal clearance costs CHF 39.50 (goods value > CHF 1'000.00 / weight > 1'000kg / ancillary laws).

Weltpaket PRIO / ECO (invoice number WE):
  • For Weltpaket PRIO shipments, the customs clearance fees are paid by the sender.
  • For Weltpaket ECO items these costs are CHF 13.00 plus 3% of goods value (max. CHF 100.00).
A distinction is made between active and passive repair traffic:
  • Active repair traffic:
    • Goods that are imported to Switzerland for repair.
    • Goods imported for repair originating abroad are cleared for customs as normal or with free passage.
    • VAT can be claimed back after re-export or in the deduction of input tax (subject to a fee).
  • Passive repair traffic:
    • Goods have been repaired abroad and are returning to Switzerland. VAT is only charged on the new material and the labor costs. However, this must be clearly stated on the commercial invoice.
  • Enter the AWB received via E-mail or SMS into DHL online portal
  • Click on the button: ‘Click here to initiate the download of your Duty/Tax (VAT) Documentation’
  • Click on the button: ‘Click here to retrieve your Duty/Tax (VAT) Documentation’
  • Recover the ZIP file and extract the PDF files to save on to your personal computer

This can sometimes be the case. Products sold outside Switzerland may appear to be cheaper because they exclude duties, taxes and handling fees.

The sender has the option of nominating to pay the destination Duties and Taxes on the Waybill and Commercial Invoice. This wasn’t done if you’ve been invoiced for the Duties and Taxes.
However these charges can be reversed to the shipper if they confirm to DHL Express in writing that they’ll accept the charges being reversed to them. This service can only be utilized in case the shipper has a valid DHL Express trade account.

You can pay import duties, VAT and fees via the DHL online portal. The following payment methods are accepted:
  • TWINT
  • PostFinance Pay
  • VISA
  • Mastercard
  • Paypal

Need Assistance?

We're always here to help! Feel free to reach out to us with the details below, and we'll be more than happy to assist you through any of our available contact channels.

General Support

Manage your delivery icon www.dhl.ch
Manage your delivery icon customs services and support
Manage your delivery icon vatquery.ch@dhl.com

Consumer information and advice

For Swiss Customs information please refer the Swiss Customs website.
This website will give you comprehensive information on importation and any applicable fees

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