Checklist for direct transit with Passar

Merchandise that transits through Switzerland must be declared electronically to Swiss Customs. The NCTS system will be replaced by the new Passar goods traffic system from 1 June 2023  (see rollout schedule).

If you do not use customs clearance software with an interface to Passar or do not wish to procure such software, contact a  freight forwarding or courier company, which can prepare the necessary transit documents for you for a fee.  

How to proceed for direct transit

General prerequisites

Check beforehand

• whether your goods may transit through Switzerland. General information on bans, restrictions and authorisation requirements can be found on  our webseite. The customs tariff – Tares contains this information and the specific tariff number for your goods.
• whether the  accompanying documents from the consignor are complete: commercial invoice, delivery note, any authorisation (see previous point).
• with the foreign customs authorities to find out which export regulations apply in the exporting country and which import regulations apply in the country of destination.
  

Direct transit (abroad -> Switzerland -> abroad)

• Before entering Switzerland, either you or your freight forwarder vor freight forwarder must prepare a transit goods declaration (transit accompanying document, TAD). For further information see: common transit procedure (CTP) and regulation R14-01 (PDF, 1 MB, 15.05.2023).

Direct transit (abroad -> Switzerland -> abroad)

• From 1 June 2023 or the rollout of Passar 1.0, transit goods declarations (TGD) must be linked ("referenced") to a transport declaration (declaration of the means of transport). Both elements are required to trigger transit entry (activation). The transit goods declaration does not become legally binding until it is activated.
• We recommend our free Activ app for creating transport declarations: drivers use their smartphone to scan the MRN printed on the transit accompanying document and simply present the Activ app at the Swiss border. Activation takes place automatically.
• With Passar 1.0, entering a transport declaration is still optional. It will probably become mandatory with Passar 2.0 (from 1 January 2025). If a lorry drives to the Swiss border without a previously entered transport declaration, the driver will have to present the transit accompanying document (paper or PDF format) at the counter. Customs employees will then enter the transport declaration manually and activate it on site, which can lead to waiting times.
  
• After receipt has been confirmed and clearance has been granted, the goods can be transported through Switzerland.
  

Transit entry (exit from Switzerland again)

• A new transport declaration is required for re-exportation. This can likewise be created using the Activ app (without the Activ app: present transit accompanying documents at the customs office).

Please note the following:  

• Merchandise in transit can be imported solely at certain customs offices and at certain times   -> note the customs office opening hours.
• Goods inspections can be carried out upon entry, during transit and upon exit. Please follow the instructions of customs staff.
  
• Performance-related heavy vehicle charge (LSVA) for vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes in total: transporters who do not use an LSVA device (emotach, EETS) have to use the ID card to buy a ticket at the LSVA automatic terminal upon entry. The ticket is used for payment when leaving the country.
  

Other transit procedures for the cross-border movement of goods

Other transit procedures exist in addition to the common transit procedure, but they are only used in specific cases:

•  Carnet ATA
  The ATA Carnet is used mainly for temporary importation and exportation. However, it also allows for a transit procedure. This requires you to request additional transit sections for the ATA Carnet from the competent chamber of commerce (according to your company's domicile). Frequent examples of use:

- a tradesman from Germany travelling through Switzerland with his tools to perform work in Italy
- a vehicle manufacturer from Italy transporting an exhibition vehicle to the Palexpo customs office in Geneva for the Geneva Motor Show; thanks to the ATA Carnet with additional transit sections, the vehicle can transit from the border to the Palexpo customs office

• The TIR transit procedure is a purely paper-based solution (more time-consuming and in practice now only used in countries that are not yet connected to the CTP).

Railcontrol. A different procedure applies for rail traffic. Please refer to the information in regulation 16-01. The RailControl program is used for declaring goods in rail freight transport.

Further info

More information on Passar 1.0

Customs applications and services at a glance

For postal traffic, please refer to the information in regulation 14-03.

Authorised Economic Operator AEO