Abolition of industrial tariffs

The abolition of industrial tariffs (BBl 2021 2330) will enter into force on 1 January 2024. This decision was made by the Federal Council in its meeting on 2 February 2022, after the necessary amendment to the Customs Tariffs Act was passed by Parliament on 1 October 2021.

By choosing 1 January 2024, the Federal Council has selected a date for the measure’s entry into force in such a way that the transitional costs for economic actors as well as the administration can be kept as low as possible. All actors are thereby given sufficient time to prepare and make the necessary technical and organisational adjustments.

The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) is in charge of the abolition of industrial tariffs. The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security FOCBS is responsible for implementation. Below, we list the affected areas by topic:

Tares customs tariff

The abolition of industrial tariffs concerns goods in chapters 25 to 97 of the Customs tariff, with the exception of some products in chapters 35 and 38, which are classified as agricultural products. This page provides current information, including an overview table "Simplification of the customs tariff 1.1.2024" showing the planned changes to the customs tariff and the new tariff structure.

Origin

As a result of the abolition of industrial tariffs for goods under chapters 25 to 97 of the customs tariff, the following rules will apply from 1 January 2024:

1. No proof of origin required as preliminary document: when it is already known at the import stage that the goods will be staying in Switzerland.
   
   
2. Proof of origin required as preliminary document: when the goods are to be exported to a free trade partner country and the corresponding proof of origin is to be generated for them upon export.
   

FAQs and information from SECO

SECO's website contains further information on the Abolition of industrial tariffs, as does the Dispatch on the amendment of the Customs Tariff Act (BBl 2019 8479).

Auskunftsstellen

• General questions about the abolition of industrial tariffs: [e-mail]
  
• Questions on the origin of goods: [e-mail]
  
• Questions on the customs tariff / Tares: [e-mail]