No detours: We clear your goods directly at our distribution centers

Save time and money by clearing customs directly at our distribution centers
In transit across the border directly to the Swiss Post distribution center

Your shipments cross the border efficiently thanks to our transit procedure and our intelligent customs clearance solution. As soon as the truck has loaded your goods and the journey begins, our experienced customs experts take care of preparing all the necessary documents and permits. Customs clearance is already processed in the background during transport so that it is fully completed as soon as your parcels arrive at our distribution center. For you, this means that there are no long waiting times or delays at the border, as customs clearance takes place directly on site. The additional trip to an external customs forwarding agent is completely eliminated, which not only saves time, but also reduces complexity and the risk of errors. Your goods reach their destination faster and more securely, and you can rely on your logistics process working seamlessly - from loading to delivery in Switzerland.

No hidden costs for your customers
When you send your goods to Switzerland, you want to make sure that your customers don't have to bear any unexpected costs. Our solution ensures that parcels are already cleared through customs and all taxes and duties are calculated in advance. This prevents the post office from collecting these from the recipient, which can often lead to unpleasant surprises. Your customers already know what they have to pay when they check out in your online store - no more nasty surprises. This creates trust and increases your customers' satisfaction, as they know the full costs from the outset. It also improves their shopping experience, as they don't have to worry about additional fees on delivery. With our solution, you not only offer your customers transparency, but also a smooth shopping experience. This also means fewer queries and a simpler process for your company, as all costs are already clarified in advance.
Collective or individual customs clearance

Depending on your goods structure and the specific tax conditions in Switzerland, we will determine the optimal, cost-efficient customs clearance setup for you. In doing so, we check exactly whether it is more advantageous for you to declare your goods as individual or collective customs clearance. If your shipments consist of different goods that fall into different customs tariff groups, collective customs clearance is a cost-effective solution. Several goods can be combined into a single customs declaration, which speeds up processing and reduces administrative costs. On the other hand, for certain high-priced or specially regulated goods, it may make more sense to carry out individual customs clearance in order to make the process as transparent and clear as possible.

Customized solutions for unique needs
With personal advice on the optimal shipping and logistics setup

At Swiss Post, we understand that every market has its own unique challenges. That's why we're here to help you export to or from Switzerland. With our extensive experience and customized approach, together we will find the optimal solution for your shipping and logistics setup.

Why book a consultation with us?

  • Customized solutions: We know that no two companies are the same. That's why we offer personalized advice to meet your exact needs.
  • Comprehensive expertise: Our experts have in-depth knowledge of all aspects of international shipping and logistics.
  • Simple process: We make exporting and importing as straightforward as possible so that you can concentrate on your core business.
  • Trusted partner: As Switzerland's national postal company, we stand for reliability, security and quality.

Ready to take the next step? Arrange your consultation now and find out how we can simplify the complexity of international shipping.

Georg Pohl
Product Consultant International Affiliates & Partner

Everything you need to know about SmartGate Direct

How do I obtain the Swiss customs tariff numbers required for Swiss customs clearance?

The Swiss customs tariff numbers associated with the items are determined by Swiss Post as part of the customs declaration. You only need to enter the EU tariff numbers when transmitting the data.

What happens during customs checks?
Should customs wish to inspect goods, we will remove the parcels containing the goods in question as part of the sorting process. Customs will then carry out a customs inspection of the goods at our distribution center. The good thing is that all parcels without goods declared for inspection are not held up. These parcels are free and are forwarded directly to the final recipients.
Will I be reimbursed for customs duties on returns?
Since 01.01.2024, customs duties are no longer levied for most trade goods, as industrial tariffs have been abolished. Nevertheless, customs duties may still apply, e.g. for goods that are not subject to industrial duties, as well as incentive taxes (e.g. for VOCs - volatile organic compounds). If you have paid customs duties on goods, we can submit a customs refund application for you so that you can receive the customs duties for returned goods back.
Can I bring returns back to the EU duty-free?
Yes, this is possible. The goods are then re-imported into the country from which they were shipped using the so-called return goods procedure. No customs duties and taxes are payable on goods imported under the returned goods procedure. The prerequisite for the returned goods procedure is that the link (technical term: identity) between the exported goods from the outward shipment and the re-imported goods from the returns can be proven to customs. You will receive a report from us on your returns that shows exactly this link. This enables the duty-free re-importation of returns.

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