Border Security

The Border Security Directorate ensures that security, migration, and border control tasks are implemented in accordance with the law and are further developed together with national and international partners. It coordinates cooperation with authorities in Switzerland and abroad, implements international requirements – such as those from the Schengen association – and supports staff on legal and procedural matters. The Border Security Directorate is the national point of contact for cooperation with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). It represents Switzerland in the Management Board and ensures operational implementation.

The administrative agreements with the cantons drawn up by the Border Security Directorate form a central basis for cooperation with cantonal authorities in the field of security police tasks.

The Border Security Directorate also contributes to the drafting and execution of tasks for the FOCBS whose legal bases lie outside customs law, thereby guaranteeing comprehensive security, including the area of goods. These so-called non-customs legislative instruments are enforced at the border on behalf of other federal agencies.

The Precious Metals Control unit within the Border Security Directorate supervises the precious metals trade and ensures compliance with the applicable legal framework. It issues the required licences, monitors operators, and inspects precious metals, watches and jewellery both in domestic commerce and in cross-border goods traffic. The unit thereby contributes to security, legal conformity and a fair, transparent precious metals market. It also performs official hallmarking of watch and jewellery articles and conducts accredited analyses.

Organisational Management centrally manages cross-cutting issues and operational information management. In addition to triaging situation-relevant information and safeguarding the overarching information-flow process, it operates a command centre in special and extraordinary situations. The unit is also responsible for doctrine – translating higher-level directives into operational guidance.