Questions and answers QuickZoll
Entering goods in the app
No, QuickZoll automatically deducts the tax-free limit and duty-free allowances. This means you can use the app to check whether you have to pay any VAT or customs duties at all.
No. If you know the allowances and tax-free limits and your purchases are within these, you do not have to use QuickZoll. However, the app can also be used to check in case you are not entirely sure how the allowances and tax-free limits apply.
You can enter your purchases into the app at any time before crossing the border. For example, you can enter goods into QuickZoll while you shop or during your trip as you go. Taxes and duties can be paid a maximum of 48 hours before crossing the border. During the payment process, you will be asked to choose a two-hour timeframe. Your choice of timeframe determines when you will cross the border.
NB: QuickZoll does not require an internet connection until you reach the tax/duty payment stage.
The net value is the value of the goods after deduction of foreign VAT. You should enter the value after deduction of foreign VAT, provided this is indicated on the receipt/invoice.
Note that the net value also contains prepayments/instalments, the cost of transport to the place of delivery in the foreign border region if you collect the goods yourself, storage costs at the foreign place of delivery and fees charged by tax refund firms if the foreign VAT has already been refunded abroad.You can find a list of the goods subject to the reduced VAT rate in the app, in Article 25 paragraph 2 of the VAT Act or in the explanatory notes to Directive R-69-04. These are mainly foodstuffs, non-alcoholic beverages, menstrual hygiene products, medicines, books, periodicals, seeds and plants, animal feed and litter, fertilisers and plant protection products.
If you cannot find out which VAT rate applies from the app, from Article 25 paragraph 2 of the VAT Act or from Directive R-69-04, you can declare the goods at a border crossing attended by FOCBS staff, or you can declare them in QuickZoll at the standard rate of 8.1%.
No. If you do not wish to split goods according to tax rates, you can enter all goods at the standard rate. By doing so, you accept that the standard rate of 8.1% will also be applied to goods that are subject to the reduced tax rate.
Yes. If you are clearing goods for two or more people, you have to enter the value of these goods again separately. These details are necessary in order to calculate the VAT and/or for the correct deduction of the tax-free limits.
Goods that cannot be declared with the app
Goods which are subject to certain controls (goods subject to certification or authorisation), restrictions or bans cannot be cleared using QuickZoll. These goods must be declared verbally at a manned border crossing. Goods which are intended for reselling or commercial use, even in your own business, must be declared electronically.
Special proof of customs clearance must be issued for vehicles. In addition, cars are subject to automobile duty. The customs declaration can only be made at a customs office for merchandise, and only during opening hours.
You may use QuickZoll only for goods that you import for your personal use or as gifts. Goods which are intended for resale or commercial use, even in your own business, must not be declared with the app. These goods must be declared electronically at a customs office for merchandise, and during opening hours.
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Goods with a total value of up to CHF 150 per person are exempt from import tax (VAT). If this value is exceeded, VAT must be paid on the total value of the imported goods. If there are two people, one person is entitled to the tax-free limit of CHF 150. If the remaining value exceeds the tax-free limit, the second person is not entitled to import goods duty-free.
Example:
Two people import goods with a total value of CHF 500 (all items with an individual value below CHF 150). The amount is split as follows:1st person: CHF 150 tax-free (the tax-free limit is not exceeded, so the limit can be applied).
2nd person: CHF 350 subject to tax (the tax-free limit is exceeded, so the tax-free limit cannot be applied to this amount).
If, before you cross the border, you realise that you should not have paid the duty with QuickZoll, choose a border crossing that is attended by FOCBS staff and declare the goods verbally.
If you realise after you have entered Switzerland, send an email to the regional level responsible for your place of residence (addresses for customs regions).This can happen sometimes as a result of connection problems. Send an email to the regional level responsible for your place of residence (addresses for customs regions) and request a refund. We need the following information and documentation: number or printscreen of the QuickZoll receipt, excerpts or proof of the deduction by your bank, and any purchase receipts.
Receipts and stamping of documents
If the app is deleted for any reason, the receipts will be lost. We therefore recommend that you send yourself the receipt by email. You can enter your email address as part of the payment transaction, or send yourself the receipt later.
The receipt in the app serves as proof of customs clearance. A stamp on the invoice/till receipt is not required. If you still need a stamp, go to a border crossing that is attended by FOCBS staff and present the invoice/till receipt together with the QuickZoll receipt. The invoice will be stamped if the presented documents clearly show that the invoice/till receipt belongs to the relevant QuickZoll receipt (matching amount of duty, date of invoice/entry into Switzerland).
The export form is for the refund of VAT paid abroad. The relevant foreign authority is responsible for this procedure. QuickZoll allows you to pay customs duty and VAT owed in Switzerland.
No. The foreign VAT is not refunded by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security. Refund of foreign VAT