Importing a Car to Switzerland from the UK or Continental Europe? Here’s All You Need to Know!
If you are planning to import a car to Switzerland from the UK or Continental Europe, the easiest part is perhaps transportation. While you can easily drive your automobile across the territory, you may require following a few steps and the formal procedure if you want to import your car properly to the country. Similar to other types of official procedures, this too can be somewhat time-consuming and burdensome.
This is where Autociel comes in! We are dedicated to making your journey of car import to Switzerland from the UK and Continental Europe as smooth as possible. Let’s explore how!
Key Considerations If You Want to Import a Car to Switzerland from the UK (H2)
If you are planning to import your car, registered in the UK, to Switzerland, you would require considering a few things. The process is not always as straightforward as you think.
First, UK drivers looking to import their automobile will require adjusting themselves to driving right-hand drive (RHD) automobiles in Switzerland. Most people find this switch difficult. As a result, they end up selling their UK cars and having a left-hand drive (LHD) vehicle in the next six months of their arrival in Switzerland.
To be true, there is virtually no demand for right-hand drive automobiles in Switzerland. This fact makes it quite tough to resell them. Therefore, the majority of these cars are sent back to the UK so that they can be resold, resulting in extra cost and pain for the automobile owner.
Key Considerations for Importing a Car to Switzerland from Continental Europe
Because road standards are almost the same in Switzerland and continental Europe, it is sensible to import your car to Switzerland from this region. Continue reading to learn more about the requirements you would need to meet in the process.
Import Fees
As of August 2023, Swiss VAT on car imports is 7.7% and customs duties are around 4% of the automobile’s present value. Additionally, there are several other administrative roadblocks that need to be overcome along the way. As a dependable Swiss car import expert, Autociel offers end-to-end auto import assistance, ensuring a faster and hassle-free import process for expats.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions Tax
In 2012, a new law related to taxation on auto emissions came into effect in Switzerland. According to it, cars with high CO2 emissions (that pollute more) are required to pay more in taxes, compared to automobiles with low emissions.
You can consider visiting the CO2 Exchange in Switzerland at http://www.co2-exchange.ch/ for answers to questions related to the Swiss CO2 car emissions tax and to understand how to lower the tax cost.
Tax-Free Auto Import to Switzerland
In some specific cases, you can even import your personal vehicle to Switzerland without paying anything in taxes.
If you have bought your vehicle six months before you begin to work in Switzerland, it is considered as part of your “moving goods” – the items you bring along with you while relocating to Switzerland. In such a case, you don’t need to pay the car import Swiss VAT or customs duties on your car.
Buying and Importing a Car in the UK and Continental Europe
In some situations, it is prudent to purchase your preferred car in Europe and then import it to Switzerland, even if that requires you to pay the 7.7% VAT and 4% customs duties. Note that the latter 4% does not apply to electric cars.
As a car import expert, Autociel can help you decide whether it is sensible to purchase a car in Switzerland, or in the UK or continental Europe. If you choose to buy your car outside of Switzerland, Autociel can assist you in importing it while ensuring that it pays the reduced CO2 emission fee, clears the applicable customs duties, and gets registered in Switzerland.
Key Points to Remember When Moving to Switzerland from the UK
Auto brands like BMW, Audi, Volvo, Nissan and Volkswagen sell left hand drive (LHD) and tax-free cars in the UK. Autociel has solid relationships with the majority of such UK auto dealers – as a result, our customers often get the advantage of competitive prices.
Mandatory Automobile Testing and Registration in Switzerland
Based on your vehicle’s current condition and whether or not it meets the road standards in Switzerland, your car would be tested by the Swiss car registration authorities. While each administrative division (k/a canton) has its own road vehicle authority, all of them follow a countrywide common standard.
You are legally required to follow the guidelines of the road vehicle authority of the administrative division (Canton), where you reside as a registered resident. Thereafter, you may require making some necessary modifications to your vehicle to comply with the import process. Remember that automobiles with a European Certificate of Conformity can be imported to Switzerland without modifications or tests.
Automobiles that qualify for tax-free imports are required to be registered with Swiss licence plates within the first year of arrival in Switzerland. Make sure you check with your auto insurer to determine if they will continue to cover your vehicle in Switzerland – and if they do cover, then for how long the coverage would be in effect.
How Autociel Assist You in Importing a Car to Switzerland
During the auto import to Switzerland process, Autociel can help you in the following ways:
● Determining the complete cost of importing your vehicle before beginning the import process
● Assessing if your automobile qualifies for a tax-free import
● Managing customs clearing for tax-free as well as taxable imports
● Ensuring a lower CO2 tax fee (if your vehicle is not older than six months) via the CO2 exchange program
● Overseeing all the required paperwork for the car
● Arranging the necessary vehicle testing
● Managing car registration at the Canton’s vehicle authority
● Ensuring key-in-hand delivery
Autociel is a Swiss car expert, offering specialised services to expats. Whether you are a long-term Swiss resident or planning to move to the country, Autociel will help you get the right car at the best price possible. Contact Autociel for expert advice and dedicated support on importing cars to Switzerland from any corner of the world.
