Application Tares
The Swiss Working Tariff is published in the application "Tares", which is designed for immediate use when declaring goods.
Tares contains information about legal provisions to be observed when clearing goods through customs. However, the application of such provisions is in any case governed by the wording of the acts and ordinances themselves. English translations are thought as an aid and are not binding. Texts which, for economic reasons, were not translated are displayed in French.
The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security makes the application Tares available free of charge on the internet - Direct access to the application Tares
All goods which are brought into or taken out of the customs territory must be presented for clearance in accordance with the customs tariffs.
Tares is a database in which goods are listed and have various tariff numbers (commodity codes) assigned to them. By selecting the eight digit tariff number, duty rates and other charges (VAT, tobacco duty, fees on alcoholic beverages, etc.) and information (for example on bans, restrictions or authorisation requirements are shown). The first six digits of the tariff number are internationally identical (HS) and can help with correct classification.
Many goods can be assessed duty-free or at a reduced rate of duty within the scope of free trade agreements and preferential tariffs for developing countries, subject to compliance with the corresponding provisions.
Tares contains no information on the various customs procedures when goods are imported, exported or transited (e.g. declaring goods, gifts, household effects, exhibitions, installations, required documents, forms, etc.).
Bedienung
After selecting the date, the country of origin or destination, the direction of transport (import/export), the eight digit tariff heading, and any applicable statistical key, a click on the magnifying glass symbol displays the possible customs rates (normal customs rate and customs rates granted for certain uses under specific conditions or if a valid certificate of origin is available), additional fees or taxes, licence requirements, and other information.
The application also links to additional information: e.g. Tariff classification decisions, Explanatory notes to the customs tariff (providing a detailed description of which goods correspond to which tariff codes), and Remarks (General remarks, Notes on Free Trade Agreements, Customs Quotas, Trade Statistics, Customs Privileges, Taxes, Import and Export Licences and special provisions).
“Help” leads to an online manual, answers to frequently asked questions and the hotline addresses.
Electronic Tares training and the option of printing the General Tariff as a PDF document round off the Internet offerings. In the event of a disruption of the Tares application, the general tariff can be used to determine the tariff number (emergency solution), see “Further info”.