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      Which product master data do I need for cross-border eCommerce to Switzerland?

      In this article, you will learn why good product data is important, what product data is needed and what it should look like.

      Why is good product data important for international eCommerce?


      From the retailer's point of view, there are two reasons for good product data:

      1. The retailer has an interest in using good product master data to automate various marketing activities such as the product feed in his shop, play out advertisements, feed affiliates, etc.
      2. A retailer who wants to sell their products in countries with a customs border must have correct and high-quality data at hand in order to be able to export and import the goods. The data requirements can vary depending on the destination country.
      If data is missing or of poor quality, consignments can be blocked by both the export customs EU and the import customs in Switzerland. On the one hand, this involves additional administrative work and costs as well as sometimes significant delays in delivery - you and your customers will not be happy.

      These product data are mandatory for export to Switzerland

      Datapoint Background Example
      Product description
      • Language: A German product description is mandatory for DE customs.
      • Content: The product description must enable a customs officer to clearly identify a product. Ergo, it must be precise and sufficiently comprehensive.
      • It is important to note that product type information and material composition are often missing. Both of these details are essential for customs clearance. Below, you will find a detailed description of this topic.

      		 This is about the standard product description which can be found in the backend - for example:

      "Marie Jane, sweater, 50% cotton and 50% viscose, black, slim fit, size XL"
      Article weight data The Gross AND net weight of the item must be transmitted urgently to Swiss customs. The net item weight must be less than the gross item weight. If the net item weight = or > the gross weight, customs will not accept this item.  Find out more about this topic here.
      • Net weight: 0.500kg
      • Gross weight 0.600
      Customs tariff number (HS code) The Swiss customs tariff, like most customs tariffs worldwide, is based on the internationally valid Harmonised System (HS). The first six digits of the eight-digit Swiss tariff numbers correspond to the HS.

      Each article must be assigned a correct customs tariff number. This enables customs to classify the goods efficiently and to apply the corresponding customs duties, VAT rates and prohibitions.       		 Example: 6110.2000; this tariff heading would be for pullovers, waistcoats (cardigans), gilets, and similar articles, including slip-ons, knitted or crocheted.
      Country of origin The country of origin of the article must be reported to Swiss customs via the interface. This enables them to automatically assign whether the products are "preferential", i.e. whether no customs duties are due.  The "ISO-3166 Alpha-2" format must be used here. 

      For example, "CN" would stand for the country China.
      Value of goods The net value of the goods should be indicated - the reason for this is that CH customs automatically levies import VAT (2.5% or 7.7%) on the value you transfer. If you transfer the gross value, you will unnecessarily add the CH VAT to the DE/AT VAT amount. the amount you will also pay the CH-VAT. amount. A value with two decimal places must be entered - e.g.: 112.12
      Article number a unique article number is required by customs for identification purposes This is the standard item number such as:
      1238875684

       

      In this blog article, you can learn more about customs clearance optimization for cross-border eCommerce in Switzerland.

      Would you like a comprehensive PPT on customs clearance? No problem-here you go.

      If you would like individual advice, you are welcome to book a free consultation appointment.

      What does a correct product description for German customs look like?

      When exporting products through German customs from the EU, it is crucial to pay special attention to the product description.

      What mistakes should I avoid in the product description?

      Below are some practical examples of product descriptions that do not comply with customs regulations.

       

      Productdiscription Whats wrong with the product discription?
      Baggy Jeans - S
      1. The product is not clearly identified. Since there are likely multiple "Baggy Jeans" available in the shop, it becomes impossible to distinguish between them.
      2. Additionally, there is no information provided regarding the materials used.
      TAMIKALEY.K Blouse Shirt - Size S
      1. There is no indication of the materials used in the product.
      ELLA.K - M
      1. There is no indication of the product type, such as whether it is a pair of pants, a dress, or a CD player.
      2. Additionally, there is no information provided regarding the materials used in the product.
      contact lenses
      1. The product is not clearly identified. Given that there are likely multiple "Baggy Jeans" available in the shop, it becomes difficult to distinguish between them.
      2. Additionally, the product description is in English, which may not meet the language requirements for customs.
      3. Furthermore, there is no information provided regarding the materials used in the product.
       PROTEIN SPAGHETTI 3er Pack There is no information provided regarding the ingredients used.

      What do correct product descriptions look like according to German customs regulations?

      Here are some practical examples of customs-compliant product descriptions (remember-they have to be in German):

       

      TAMIKALEY.K Blusenshirt, 100% Seide, Schwarz, S
      ELLA.K, Pullover, 50% Baumwolle 50% Viskose, Braun, M
      Super Durchblick Linsen, Kontaktlinsen, 90% Wasser, 5% PVC, 5% Sodium Chlorid
       Mega Pasta 3er Pack, Protein Spaghetti, 80% Weizen, 20% Molkeprotein 

       

      The product descriptions facilitate clear identification on the webshop, enabling customs to classify the items accurately based on their type and material composition. Moreover, including additional details such as size, color, and other relevant characteristics enhances the clarity and compliance of the listings.

       

      References to precious metals, such as "gold bracelet," or to rare animals and plants, such as "crocodile leather look," may necessitate additional procedures during the customs clearance process when importing into Switzerland. For further details, please consult the following knowledge articles:

      Precious Metal Regulations

      Rare Animals (CITES Flora) and Rare Plants (CITES Flora)

      How can I provide the correct product description?

      Typically, as a retailer, you will have one or more data sources at your disposal. Often, retailers rely on information from their ERP or inventory management systems to transmit customs-related data. However, this information frequently aligns with the substandard product descriptions mentioned earlier, as these details are often provided in a condensed format by suppliers.

      Another valuable source is the Content Management System (CMS), which generally holds much more detailed product information. Nonetheless, this information may be scattered across various database fields. Here is an example based on a screenshot from the shop:

       

      Example for a Product page including necessary product information for customs clearance

      Productname Producttype Material
      Ryoni Marlene Pants 63% Polyester, 34% Viscose, 3% Elasthan

       

      This data is well-suited for generating a customs-compliant product description. Simply concatenate the information with commas and transmit it in the appropriate field of the interface. Typically, this data is also available in German.