Vehicle Import Guide for Switzerland

All the steps to import and register a foreign vehicle in Switzerland

Check the type approval before purchasing

Check if the vehicle is approved in Switzerland before finalising your purchase

Why import a vehicle?

Importing a vehicle can be advantageous for several reasons: lower prices in certain countries, models not available in Switzerland, or purchasing a specific used vehicle.

Savings

Prices often lower in Germany or France

Choice

Models or options not available in CH

Specificity

Classic or rare vehicle

Important

Before any purchase, check on SwissCarInfo whether the vehicle has a Swiss or recognised European type approval. This greatly simplifies the approval process and can save you thousands of francs in individual approval costs.

Import steps

1

Check the type approval

Before purchasing, check whether the vehicle has a Swiss or European type approval recognised in Switzerland. This is the key to a straightforward import.

  • Swiss type approval (1AA, 1VD...): direct registration possible, no additional conformity inspection required
  • European type approval (e1*, e9*...): generally accepted with simplified formalities
  • No type approval: individual approval required (costly and time-consuming)

COC (Certificate of Conformity): for vehicles of European origin, be sure to request the COC from the seller before purchasing. This document proves the vehicle's compliance with European standards and facilitates registration in Switzerland. Without a COC, you will need to obtain a duplicate from the manufacturer (which can be expensive and slow).

Check type approval
2

Customs clearance

The vehicle must be declared at Swiss customs when entering the country. You must present yourself at a customs office authorised for commercial goods processing.

Required documents

  • Foreign vehicle registration document (even if cancelled)
  • Purchase invoice or sales contract
  • Identity document (passport or ID card)
  • EUR.1 form (duty-free EU/EFTA)
  • COC if available

Taxes to pay

  • Automobile tax: 4% of the value
  • Swiss VAT: 8.1% of purchase price + taxes
  • Customs duties (only for non-EU/EFTA)
  • Form 13.20A fee: CHF 20

EUR.1 form: this document proves the European origin of the vehicle and allows duty-free importation. Request it from the seller or dealer. For vehicles worth less than EUR 6,000, a declaration of origin on the invoice is sufficient.

Form 13.20A: this is the proof of customs clearance issued by customs. This document is essential for registration at the road traffic office.

Payment method: taxes must be paid directly at the customs office. Bring sufficient cash as not all offices accept cards. You can also appoint a freight forwarder or customs agent to handle the formalities.

Inland customs clearance: if you cannot clear customs at the border, request a note certificate (form 15.25) at the border post. This gives you 2 working days to present yourself at an inland customs office.

3

CO2 certification (if applicable)

Before registration, passenger cars and light commercial vehicles may be subject to a CO2 penalty based on their emissions.

  • The small-scale importer must register the vehicle on the FEDRO portal (Federal Roads Office)
  • The SFOE (Swiss Federal Office of Energy) determines any applicable penalty
  • A FEDRO certificate is required for registration
  • Alternative: transfer the emissions to a large-scale importer to reduce the penalty

CO2 exemptions: no penalty if the vehicle was registered abroad for more than 12 months before the customs declaration, or more than 6 months with a mileage exceeding 5,000 km. Electric vehicles are exempt.

4

Emissions test and inspection

The vehicle must pass a check at the cantonal road traffic office (SCA). Two steps are required:

1. Emissions test

  • Carried out at an authorised garage
  • Exhaust gas verification
  • Cost: approximately CHF 100
  • Must be done before the inspection

2. Inspection (MFK)

  • Conformity verification
  • Safety element check
  • VIN and data verification
  • Cost: approximately CHF 60

The vehicle must be clean and in good technical condition. Make an appointment with your cantonal road traffic office. Waiting times vary by canton.

5

Mandatory liability insurance

Before registration, you must take out third-party liability insurance (RC) with a Swiss insurer.

  • Liability insurance (RC): mandatory, the certificate must be presented to the road traffic office
  • Comprehensive insurance (casco): optional but recommended (partial or full)
  • Compare offers from several insurers before subscribing
  • The insurance certificate must be issued in the name of the vehicle owner
6

Registration

Final step: definitive registration at the cantonal road traffic office.

Documents to present

  • Form 13.20A (proof of customs clearance, stamped by customs)
  • FEDRO certificate (CO2 certification, if applicable)
  • Inspection report (MFK) and emissions test
  • Liability insurance certificate (RC)
  • Original foreign vehicle registration document
  • COC (Certificate of Conformity) if available
  • Identity document
  • Proof of residence in Switzerland
  • Obtain the Swiss vehicle registration document
  • Obtain the cantonal licence plates
  • Payment of the cantonal vehicle tax
  • The vehicle can legally drive in Switzerland

Cost summary

Example for a car purchased at EUR 10,000 in Germany (approximate exchange rate: 1 EUR = 0.95 CHF, i.e. approximately CHF 9,500):

Item Amount
Automobile tax (4%) ~CHF 380
Import VAT (8.1%) ~CHF 800
Customs duties (EU with EUR.1) CHF 0
Form 13.20A CHF 20
Emissions test (garage) ~CHF 100
Inspection (MFK) ~CHF 60
Plates + registration ~CHF 100-200
CO2 penalty (if applicable) Variable
Estimated total (excl. CO2) ~CHF 1,460-1,560

VAT is calculated on the purchase price plus the automobile tax and any customs duties. Amounts are indicative and may vary by canton and exchange rate.

Special cases

If the vehicle has no recognised type approval, an individual approval is required. This involves:

  • Full technical inspection at the cantonal office
  • Conformity tests to Swiss standards
  • Possible modifications (headlights, speedometer km/h, indicators, markings...)
  • Cost: CHF 1,000 to 5,000 depending on the modifications needed
  • Longer processing time (4 to 8 weeks)

If you are relocating to Switzerland, your personal vehicle can be imported as household effects, with significant advantages:

  • VAT exemption
  • Automobile tax exemption (4%)
  • Customs duty exemption
  • Declaration via form 18.44 (household effects)

Conditions: the vehicle must belong to you and have been used for at least 6 months. You commit to not reselling it for 1 year after importation.

Classic vehicles (30+ years) benefit from special conditions:

  • Veteran registration possible
  • Less strict emission standards
  • No CO2 penalty
  • Usage restrictions may apply depending on the canton

Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles have advantages:

  • No CO2 penalty (100% electric vehicles)
  • Tax reductions in some cantons (reduced or zero cantonal tax)
  • No exhaust emissions test required
  • Check charger compatibility (Type 2 / CCS in Europe)
  • The automobile tax (4%) and VAT (8.1%) still apply

For vehicles imported from a non-EU or non-EFTA country (USA, UK post-Brexit, Japan, etc.):

  • Customs duties: CHF 12 to 15 per 100 kg of kerb weight
  • No EUR.1 form possible
  • Individual approval often required (different standards)
  • Frequent modifications: headlights, lights, speedometer (miles to km/h), reflectors
  • Higher transport and logistics costs

Frequently asked questions

The total cost depends on several factors:
  • Automobile tax: 4% of the vehicle value
  • VAT: 8.1% of the purchase price (+ auto tax + customs duties)
  • Form 13.20A: CHF 20
  • Emissions test: ~CHF 100
  • Inspection (MFK): ~CHF 60
  • Plates + registration: CHF 100-200 depending on the canton
  • CO2 penalty (if applicable): variable
  • Individual approval (if necessary): CHF 1,000-5,000

For a used car at EUR 10,000 imported from Germany with EUR.1, expect approximately CHF 1,500 in import costs (excluding CO2 penalty).

With an existing type approval: 1 to 2 weeks (customs on the same day, then appointment at the road traffic office). Without type approval (individual approval): 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the modifications needed and the availability of the cantonal office. The timeline also depends on CO2 certification from FEDRO.

To bring the vehicle to Switzerland, several options:

  • Foreign temporary plates: request transit or export plates in the country of purchase (e.g. red plates in Germany, WW in France). This is the most common solution.
  • Truck transport: the vehicle is delivered on a flatbed. More expensive but no plates needed.
  • Seller delivers: some sellers/dealers deliver the vehicle to the border or customs.

Note: once in Switzerland, without Swiss plates or customs clearance, the vehicle cannot be driven. For the journey from customs to garage to road traffic office, some cantons offer daily temporary plates (check with your road traffic office).

The EUR.1 form is a movement certificate that proves the European origin of the vehicle. It allows duty-free importation thanks to the EU-Switzerland free trade agreement (1972). Request it from the seller or dealer before purchasing. For vehicles worth less than EUR 6,000 (~CHF 10,300), a simple declaration of origin on the invoice is sufficient.

Yes, you can appoint a freight forwarder or a customs agent to handle the customs formalities on your behalf. The agent pays the taxes and invoices them to you afterwards. FOCBS has no influence on the fees of these professionals. Clarify costs before appointing. This is a practical option if you are not comfortable with administrative procedures.

No, if you are transferring your residence to Switzerland, your vehicle can be imported as household effects and benefit from exemption from VAT, automobile tax and customs duties. Conditions: the vehicle must have belonged to you for at least 6 months, and you commit to not selling it for 1 year. The declaration is made via form 18.44.

Check before you buy

Search the vehicle to find out if it is approved in Switzerland.

Document checklist

  • Original foreign vehicle registration document
  • Purchase invoice / sales contract
  • COC (Certificate of Conformity)
  • EUR.1 form (EU/EFTA duty-free)
  • Customs form 13.20A
  • Swiss liability insurance certificate (RC)
  • Emissions test (authorised garage)
  • FEDRO certificate (CO2)
  • Identity document
  • Proof of residence in Switzerland

SwissCarInfo database

  • Vehicles 732'443
  • Brands 1'996
  • Last update 13.03.2026

Useful pages

Official links

Related Guides

Type Approval VIN Decoder eCOC Certificate Vehicle Inspection Wheels & Tyres Euro Standards CO2 Tax Motorway Vignette Vehicle Recalls Swiss Aviation Car Glossary