Paying Import Tax on Post Packages in Switzerland

I will embarrassingly admit that although I have lived here for three and a half years, I have never really understood how the post office taxes imported goods – until now.

Here is what you need to know. You can buy anything from abroad as long as it is under 62 chf and you don’t have to pay import tax. However, if you purchase something which is over 62 chf then you need to pay an import tax.

The import tax is 8% on the total value of the goods when converted to fracs plus an 18 chf evaluation fee. So, for example, if you purchase something from the UK and it costs 84 gbp, they will then convert it to 126 chf, add 18 chf (for a total of 144 chf) and then charge an 8% tax on the total 144 chf (Yes, that is right, you pay a tax on the evaluation fee too!). Your tax total would be: 26.50 chf in this case.

When your family sends you gifts from abroad, you do not need to pay an import tax so long as the gift is less than 100 chf. BUT, very important, your family needs to state that it is a gift. If they fail to do this, then you will be taxed at the 8% rate!

So… when purchasing things from abroad, be sure to take into account the tax portion of your purchases!