The Treasurer’s Guide to Trade Finance

Switzerland

Principal exports

Machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, and

agricultural products.

Import/Export documentation

ƒ Commercial invoice, customs declaration,

bill of lading, packing list, and sometimes, a

certificate of origin.

Licences

Imports

ƒ Goods/items that are subject to international

controls.

ƒ Various agricultural products.

ƒ Kimberley Process Certificate: rough

diamonds.

Exports

ƒ Goods/items that are subject to international

controls.

ƒ Kimberley Process Certificate: rough

diamonds.

Tariffs/Taxes

Imports

ƒ The standard 8 percent VAT rate applies to

items imported into Switzerland.

ƒ Customs duties are usually levied on the

weight of imported items.

ƒ Ad valorem tariffs on industrial imports

average approximately 0.29 percent, while

tariffs on agricultural products average

approximately 5.27 percent.

Exports

ƒ None.

Financing requirements for imports/

exports

ƒ None.

Prohibited items

ƒ Imports that are prohibited in accordance

with UN Security Council resolutions, such

as items deemed a threat to fauna and flora

and national security. Certain military items

are also strictly controlled.

ƒ Exports are prohibited in accordance with

UN Security Council resolutions.

Switzerland imports exports

Trade information

Key trading partners

Imports by origin

EU 78.0%

USA 5.0%

China 3.4%

Japan 2.2%

Kazakhstan 1.0%

Other 10.4%

Source: WTO, September 2012

Exports by destination

EU 56.9%

USA 10.3%

China 4.2%

Hong Kong 3.8%

Japan 3.2%

Other 21.6%