Arrival by boat
Clear rules apply when crossing the border with a private boat registered in Switzerland. Easily transport your goods for private or gift purposes duty-free using the QuickZoll app, or visit a designated customs dock if needed. All passengers must carry valid travel documents.
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Border crossing
For persons crossing the border in a private boat registered in Switzerland, the following applies:
If you are only carrying goods that are intended for your private use or as a gift,
- which fall within the duty-free allowances and the tax-free limit of CHF 150; or
- which you cleared with the QuickZoll app and
- and which are not subject to restrictions and bans,
passing the landing point (customs border) is considered to be an informal customs declaration.
For all other cases, the following applies:
You must report to a Swiss customs dock and declare the boat and the goods you are carrying. You may then moor the boat to the Swiss shore or to an anchored buoy.
Travel documents
All passengers on board must hold a valid travel document recognised by Switzerland. This applies even if the boat does not call at a port or does not land or moor elsewhere in Switzerland.
Information on entering and staying in Switzerland can be obtained from the State Secretariat for Migration.
Watercraft
Information can be found at Import and export of watercraft.
Swiss customs dock
The customs docks are marked with a corresponding sign. The current opening hours are available in the list of customs offices.
On Lake Geneva (Lac Léman)
- Lausanne-Ouchy
- Genève (Centrale d´engagement Ouest, Telefon +41 (0)800 22 20 40)
- Hermance
On Lake Constance, Untersee and Rhine
- Romanshorn
- Rheinkilometer 170 Basel-Kleinhüningen (Basel Nord border guard post)
On Lake Lugano (Lago di Lugano)
- Gandria
- Ponte Tresa
- Brusino
On Lake Maggiore (Lago Maggiore)
- Madonna di Ponte