National press releases
Here you will find the media releases of the Federal Office for Custom and Border Security . We publish reports on all our subject areas, from foreign trade statistics to customs tariffs.
2025: Exports hit a new record, driven by chemicals and pharmaceuticals
Swiss foreign trade posted increases in both directions of trade in 2025. Exports rose by 1.4% to CHF 287.0 billion, a new record. Having posted negative figures in the two previous years, imports rose by 4.5% to CHF 232,7 billion. This is the second-highest value ever recorded. The trade surplus amounted to CHF 54.3 billion.
Reduction in US additional tariffs to enter into force retroactively
The US is applying a tariff ceiling of 15% on imports from Switzerland. This applies retroactively from 14 November 2025. In return, Switzerland will reduce import tariffs on certain fish and agricultural products from the USA. The basis for this is the joint statement published on 14 November between Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the USA.
Switzerland introduces Entry/Exit System
The Entry/Exit System (EES) will make it possible to register third-country nationals electronically when they enter or leave the Schengen area. The EES will be gradually introduced throughout the Schengen area from 12 October. Switzerland will begin by using the EES at Basel and Geneva Airports on 12 October, followed by Zurich Airport and the smaller airports from mid-November.
Simplified destruction of counterfeits in small consignments
In the future, it will be easier to destroy counterfeit products entering Switzerland in small consignments. The Federal Council adopted the Ordinance to the Federal Act on the Introduction of a Simplified Procedure for Destroying Small Consignments in Intellectual Property Law at its meeting on 14 May 2025. The new legal bases will come into force on 1 July 2025.
DDPS and other federal departments to provide security support for Eurovision Song Contest in Basel
From 11 to 17 May, Basel will host the Eurovision Song Contest, a major event that will see extensive support from various agencies of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, the Federal Office of Police, and the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security. These agencies will work alongside the organisers and cantonal authorities to ensure the security of the event, with the Confederation making a crucial contribution to public safety.
2024: Mixed picture despite record exports
While foreign trade was still negative in both directions in the previous year, exports reached a new high of +3.2% in 2024. However, this record was achieved almost exclusively thanks to the chemicals and pharmaceuticals sector. On the import side, on the other hand, last year's decline continued at –1.6%, albeit at a slightly slower pace. The opposing trend between imports and exports resulted in a new record trade surplus of CHF 60.6 billion.
The Swiss Customs Museum to reopen for the new season with an exhibition on migration and a revamped exhibition on CITES species
On Easter Sunday, 31 March 2024, the Swiss Customs Museum will reopen its doors to the public. This season sees two new highlights. The first is an exhibition "Migration – a photo exhibition by Darrin Zammit Lupi". This travelling exhibition by the Reuters photojournalist offers a unique insight into the long journeys made by migrants. The second new feature is the revamped exhibition on species protected by CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Provider for LSVA basic service commissioned by the FOCBS
The renewal and modernisation of the collection system for the performance-related heavy vehicle charge (LSVA) is taking shape. Owners of vehicles registered in Switzerland will now be able to choose between different providers of LSVA recording systems. The basic LSVA service will be provided on behalf of the responsible Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) by NATRAS AG, a mileage recording company founded in January 2024. The system changeover is a key component of the DaziT digitalisation and transformation programme.
Sluggish foreign trade in 2023
After two years of strong growth, Swiss foreign trade declined in both directions in 2023. Exports fell by 1.2% and appeared volatile over the quarters. Imports fell by 3.8% and only picked up again in the final quarter. Falling prices led to better results in real terms in both directions. The trade surplus rose to CHF 48.5 billion.
Consultation opens on lowering the tax-free limit in tourist traffic
Parliament has adopted motion 19.3975 "Improving fair taxation in the flow of goods in local border traffic". This parliamentary mandate is to be implemented by lowering the tax-free limit. According to the motion, goods in tourist traffic should only be exempt from import tax (VAT) up to a total value of CHF 150 per person. The current tax-free limit is CHF 300 per person. The consultation will last until 15 March 2024.
2024 motorway vignette: stress-free access to the motorway in just a few clicks thanks to the e-vignette
The 2024 motorway vignette will be available from 1 December 2023. This year, motorists can choose between using the advantages of the new e-vignette or buying the conventional tax sticker.
Federal Council decides to remove exemption from duty for e-vehicles
From 1 January 2024, e-vehicles will be subject to automobile duty. During its meeting on 8 November 2023, the Federal Council took note of the results of the consultation on removing the exemption from duty for e-vehicles and approved an amendment to the Vehicle Duty Ordinance. The Federal Council's aim is to redress shortfalls in tax receipts and to secure the deposits flowing into the motorway and urban transportation fund. The imposition of duty on e-vehicles is part of the budget adjustment concept which the Federal Council adopted at its meeting on 25 January 2023.
e-vignette off to a successful start
The motorway tax sticket for the calendar year 2023 can now be purchased electronically at www.e-vignette.ch using the Via portal of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS). Sales have started well but the FOCBS has already received requests for refunds for e-vignettes purchased in error. By law, there is no provision for refunds of the e-vignette. However, the FOCBS is making an exception during the first week since its introduction.
Going digital with the e-vignette for motorway use
The electronic motorway tax sticker will be available from 1 August 2023. It can be purchased using the “Via Portal” of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) at www.e-vignette.ch. The adhesive motorway tax sticker will remain available.
Xplain hack: Federal Council commissions a policy strategy crisis team on data leaks
During its meeting on 28 June 2023, the Federal Council commissioned a policy strategy crisis team on data leaks. The aim of the cross-departmental crisis team is to coordinate the ongoing efforts to deal with the ransomware attack on Xplain, which has also affected Federal Administration data, and to propose related measures. In addition, the Federal Council ordered that a mandate be drawn up for an administrative investigation. Moreover, it decided to review existing contracts with federal IT service providers and to amend them where necessary in order to improve service providers' cybersecurity and allow the federal government to react swiftly in the event of a successful attack. Finally, it ordered an examination of measures to ensure that the essential services currently provided by Xplain for the police and the security and migration authorities can be guaranteed in any case.
New goods traffic system «Passar» goes live
On June 1st 2023, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) launches the first stage of «Passar», the new goods traffic system and one of the central elements of the digitalisation and transformation programme DaziT. Passar gradually contributes to the simplification and acceleration of the cross-border traffic of goods. The staged changeover from the previous IT systems to Passar was coordinated with representatives of the economy.
Greater efficiency in the fight against counterfeiting
From counterfeit luxury watches to designer handbags: thanks to a new procedure, it will be easier to destroy fake products arriving in Switzerland in small consignments in future. On 26 April 2023, the Federal Council noted the outcome of the consultation procedure and adopted the dispatch and the draft of the Federal Act on the Introduction of a Simplified Procedure for Destroying Small Consignments in Intellectual Property Law.
Restitution of a 2,500-year-old piece of cultural property to Peru
The Federal Office of Culture (FOC) delivered a significant archaeological piece of cultural property today to the Embassy of Peru in Switzerland. The piece, a stone head weighing almost 200 kg from the Chavín culture, was confiscated as part of cantonal criminal proceedings. The restitution took place at Basel-Weil am Rhein customs office in the context of the implementation of the Federal Act on the International Transfer of Cultural Property (CPTA).
2022: Price-driven increase in foreign trade
Driven by rising prices, Swiss foreign trade increased significantly in nominal terms in2022. Although exports rose by 7.2%, they stagnated in price-adjusted terms. Meanwhile, imports grew by 16.8% in nominal terms and edged up slightly in real terms. Trade declined in both directions in the fourth quarter. The year ended with a trade surplus of CHF 43.5 billion.
2025: Exports hit a new record, driven by chemicals and pharmaceuticals
Swiss foreign trade posted increases in both directions of trade in 2025. Exports rose by 1.4% to CHF 287.0 billion, a new record. Having posted negative figures in the two previous years, imports rose by 4.5% to CHF 232,7 billion. This is the second-highest value ever recorded. The trade surplus amounted to CHF 54.3 billion.
Reduction in US additional tariffs to enter into force retroactively
The US is applying a tariff ceiling of 15% on imports from Switzerland. This applies retroactively from 14 November 2025. In return, Switzerland will reduce import tariffs on certain fish and agricultural products from the USA. The basis for this is the joint statement published on 14 November between Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the USA.
Switzerland introduces Entry/Exit System
The Entry/Exit System (EES) will make it possible to register third-country nationals electronically when they enter or leave the Schengen area. The EES will be gradually introduced throughout the Schengen area from 12 October. Switzerland will begin by using the EES at Basel and Geneva Airports on 12 October, followed by Zurich Airport and the smaller airports from mid-November.
Simplified destruction of counterfeits in small consignments
In the future, it will be easier to destroy counterfeit products entering Switzerland in small consignments. The Federal Council adopted the Ordinance to the Federal Act on the Introduction of a Simplified Procedure for Destroying Small Consignments in Intellectual Property Law at its meeting on 14 May 2025. The new legal bases will come into force on 1 July 2025.
DDPS and other federal departments to provide security support for Eurovision Song Contest in Basel
From 11 to 17 May, Basel will host the Eurovision Song Contest, a major event that will see extensive support from various agencies of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, the Federal Office of Police, and the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security. These agencies will work alongside the organisers and cantonal authorities to ensure the security of the event, with the Confederation making a crucial contribution to public safety.
2024: Mixed picture despite record exports
While foreign trade was still negative in both directions in the previous year, exports reached a new high of +3.2% in 2024. However, this record was achieved almost exclusively thanks to the chemicals and pharmaceuticals sector. On the import side, on the other hand, last year's decline continued at –1.6%, albeit at a slightly slower pace. The opposing trend between imports and exports resulted in a new record trade surplus of CHF 60.6 billion.