Dogs, cats, domestic animals

If you want to import pets into Switzerland, it is crucial to use the appropriate border crossings and present all required documents. Be aware of the importation ban on docked dogs.

Beware of buying a dog abroad

Only some of the 25,000 or so dogs imported into Switzerland each year come from reputable breeders or from responsible animal welfare organizations. The FSVO shows what needs to be considered. 
Broschüre «Augen auf beim Hundekauf» (available in German, French and Italian)

Travel, relocation and import

Are you going on holiday with a cat or dog? Have you bought a pet abroad, or are you relocating to Switzerland with a cat or dog? Or are you looking for information on EU requirements, rabies, parasites or air transport? If so, we recommend the following links:

Additional information can be found on the website of the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO - Topics - Travelling with pets.

Foreign provisions must be clarified directly in the relevant country, at its embassy or at the foreign customs office.

Pets must be imported via a manned customs office during the clearance times for tourist traffic.

Registration at customs when crossing the border

The importation of pets must be made at a manned border crossing and during the opening hours for tourist traffic. The animal must be presented personally to the control authorities together with the forms necessary for the import.

Retroactive registration of pets

GRequests for retroactive registration of pets must be submitted without exception to the Com-petence Center for Pets of the Swiss Customs (KoHe).

For this purpose, the corresponding notification form Retroactive customs clearance for pets (see below under «Documents») must be used. This should be sent by e-mail to the KoHe (KoHe@bazg.admin.ch) together with the necessary documents according to point 4 of the notification form.

Please note: Subsequent declarations are always associated with additional costs. We reserve the right to initiate penal procedures.

Taxes

Animals purchased abroad and imported into Switzerland are duty-free but are subject to 8,1% VAT on the value of the goods. You can help speed up customs clearance by showing a receipt for the goods

Docked dogs; importation prohibited

The importation of docked dogs is prohibited. Consequently, docked dogs are refused entry at the border.

Exceptions

  • Owners living abroad may bring their docked dogs into Switzerland for holidays or other short stays. They have to declare the dog to Customs when entering Switzerland and pay a deposit (the procedure is based mutatis mutandis on the provisions entitled Deposit for personal goods worth more than CHF 5,000.
  • People who relocate to Switzerland may also import their docked dogs. However, this is possible only if the conditions for the duty-free importation of household effects are fulfilled. See Moving (household effects).

Transport

Whether by car, plane or train, this must be conducted in an animal-friendly manner. The provisions of the Federal Act on the Protection of Animals or of IATA must be strictly adhered to.

Further information

Competence Center for Pets
Zoll West / Lokalebene
Oberwallis
Bielstrasse 1
3902 3902 Brig-Glis