Housing and Logistics
Declare your household goods free of duty
Household removal goods are exempt from customs duty and import tax if you used them abroad for at least six months before the move, continue to use them, and import them into Switzerland within two years of taking up residence. They must be declared to the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (federal) using the removal goods form in duplicate together with a complete inventory. Newly purchased items, vehicles, and tobacco and alcohol above the duty-free allowance are excluded. Declare any later consignment already at the first import.
Who this applies to. This guide applies if bringing household goods is yes.
Checklist
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Complete the removal goods form in duplicate
Application for duty-free import of removal goods from the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (federal); one copy stays with the customs office.
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Obtain proof of residence
Confirmation of deregistration from your previous residence plus a rental contract or the registration confirmation from your Swiss municipality.
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Draw up an inventory
Complete list in two copies, marking the goods that will follow later.
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Prove at least 6 months of prior use
Purchase receipts or photographs; newly acquired items must be cleared through customs.
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Complete the import within 2 years
The deadline runs from taking up residence in Switzerland; afterwards the exemption no longer applies.
Costs
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Customs duty free of charge
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Transport of your household goods not quantified
Your own figure — with a moving company or doing it yourself.
No total: the items depend on conditions and on your situation. A total without your answers would be too high or too low depending on the case — the cost calculation in your plan uses them.
Frequently asked questions
Who does this guide apply to?
This guide applies if bringing household goods is yes.
What does it cost?
Customs duty: free of charge. Transport of your household goods: not quantified.
What do I need to do?
Complete the removal goods form in duplicate; Obtain proof of residence; Draw up an inventory; Prove at least 6 months of prior use; Complete the import within 2 years.
As of: 08.10.2026