Exportation checklist (e-dec or paper-based customs declaration)

Merchandise that is exported from Switzerland must be declared to Swiss Customs in writing or electronically.

E-dec / Passar – Parallel phase export completed

Exception requests for extended use of E-dec Export will no longer be accepted.

The following options are now available for registering exports:

• Passar Export (standard, with API connection)
• E-dec Web (web application)
• Commissioning a customs clearance service provider (e.g. freight forwarder)

An overview of the export procedure is provided below. You can carry out the listed steps yourself or, if necessary, appoint a service provider (haulage firm, courier company, customs clearance agency) for some or all of the procedure.

How to go about exporting

• General prerequisites

  Check beforehand

  • whether your goods may be exported. General information on prohibited items, restrictions and authorisation requirements can be found on our website. You can find this information and the tariff number for your goods in the Customs tariff – Tares.
  • whether the accompanying documents intended for the consignee are complete. The most important accompanying documents are the commercial invoice, any proofs of origin and authorisations/certificates.
  • with the foreign customs authorities which entry and import regulations apply for the country of destination, and if necessary,
  • whether transit regulations apply for the transit countries. If so, you should organise the transit via a service provider due to the complexity involved.
  • whether your goods are subject to the security amendment. If you are exporting your goods by air from Switzerland, you may have to declare your goods in advance depending on the country of destination. Contact the foreign customs authority in the country of destination to find out.
  • whether a free trade agreement exists with the country of destination. If so, a certificate of origin can be issued under certain conditions. This serves as the basis for obtaining a customs duty reduction or exemption in the country of destination, depending on the agreement. Here you will find an information page on this topic.
  • whether duty drawback is possible for the goods
  • whether you have a UID number if the declaration is to be made electronically.

• Goods declaration

  • The goods can be declared in French, German or Italian.
  • If you are declaring the goods yourself, choose one of the following platforms for entering your goods declaration electronically:
    • Web application without registration: E-dec Web
    • B2B interface with registration: E-dec Export

  • Enter the information required according to e-dec web (tariff number, UID, etc.) or e-dec Export based on the accompanying documents and any proofs of origin. If a refund is possible for your goods, you must request this in the selected platform.
  • Timeframes: You can create the goods declaration in e-dec web or e-dec Export a maximum of 30 days before exporting. Once your carrier has declared the goods to the exporting office and the customs declaration has been accepted by them, the goods must be exported within 24 hours.
  • Print out the goods declaration (export list). Give it to the transporter together with the relevant accompanying documents (invoice, proofs of origin, etc.) and your goods.

• Transport and border crossing

  Below you will find information on exporting by road.

  • Your carrier takes the goods declaration and the accompanying documents to the customs office counter (-> note the customs office opening hours).
  • We may carry out a physical goods inspection to check whether the information in the goods declaration is correct.
  • The FOCBS will then issue the electronic assessment decision (eVV) and, as the exporting company, you will be able to view it in e-dec web or e-dec Export.
  • The transporter then goes to the adjacent foreign customs office, where he/she will likewise have to present the required documents (in accordance with the clarifications in the first point of this checklist) at the counter. An inspection may be carried out here as well.

• Downstream procedural steps

  • You can download the export assessment decision (eVV) in e-dec web or e-dec Export. Alternatively, you can use the Chartera application.
  • If a refund was applied at the time of exportation or when crossing the border, a refund application can be submitted to the competent office of the FOCBS (VOC, spirits tax, beer tax, tobacco duty, etc.).
  • If you have any questions regarding VAT, you can contact the Federal Tax Administration.
  • You can request a subsequent correction of your declaration or file an appeal against an assessment decision (eVV) within 60 days (appeals).

• Costs

  • Switzerland does not levy any customs duties or charges upon exportation.
  • However, customs duties or charges may apply in the country of destination – ask the authorities of the country of destination about this.
  • Declaration platforms:
    The FOCBS provides the e-dec web and e-dec Export platforms. You may incur licensing costs from a service provider or your own development costs if you use e-dec Export. E-dec web, by contrast, is free of charge.
  • In certain cases, you may be able to claim a refund from us for charges already paid; see “Downstream procedural steps”.
  • If you hire a service provider for the transport and/or the goods declaration, corresponding costs will be incurred.

• Special procedures, depending on the case or company status

  • The export procedure is simplified if your company has authorised consignor status.
  • There are separate procedures for temporary exportation and re-importation and for temporary admission abroad: Customs declaration for temporary admission ZAVV and/or ATA Carnet. The goods are not altered abroad. Typical applications include trade fairs, exhibitions, horses, vintage cars, etc.
  • Repair traffic, or processing traffic, also called outward processing traffic, covers the temporary exportation of goods for treatment, processing and repair.
  • Returned goods
  • Bonded warehouses and goods in storage
    • Bonded warehouses
    • Open customs warehouses
    • Warehouses for bulk goods
  • Authorised Economic Operator AEO
  • Rural border traffic

Further info

• Info FOCBS

  link to applications and services to follow here

• Contact for companies

  The most important contacts on topics such as the CPS customs account, HVF, technical operating support or the customs information centre.