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Switzerland sits in the middle of Europe, and most people assume moving there works like moving to France or Germany. It does not. Switzerland is not in the EU or its customs union, so your belongings go through customs twice: export clearance leaving the UK, and full import clearance at the Swiss border.
That is not a reason to worry. It is a reason to get the paperwork right before the lorry is loaded, and it is the part of the move we take care of.
Swiss customs relief depends on the right documents being in the right hands before your belongings reach the border. Your move starts with a survey by one of our removal specialists. From there, a dedicated move manager is your primary contact throughout: they receive the full survey file, confirm whether you qualify for duty-free import, tell you exactly what to supply and by when, and coordinate with our Swiss partner who clears your goods and delivers them to your door.
You will not need to explain your move twice. sets out who does what.
Moves to Switzerland travel by road. You can have a vehicle to yourself, or share one.
| Service | What it is | Transit time |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated vehicle | Your belongings only, direct | 3 to 5 days |
| Groupage (shared vehicle) | Your belongings travel with other households’ and you pay for the space you use | 7 to 14 days |
| Home size | Typical cost by road |
|---|---|
| Studio or 1 bedroom | £1,500 to £2,500 |
| 2 bedrooms | £2,500 to £4,000 |
| 3 bedrooms | £3,500 to £5,500 |
Swiss customs clearance typically adds one to two working days when the documents are in order. These are guide prices. Your own figure depends on volume, access at both addresses and whether you want us to pack, which is why every quote starts with a . The full covers costs in more detail.
Transfer of Residence relief. Swiss Federal Customs allows household goods to be imported free of duty when you move your home to Switzerland, provided you have owned and used them for at least six months and they are for your own continued use.
Form 18.44. This is the Swiss customs declaration for household removals. Our Swiss partner files it on your behalf. You do not complete it at the border yourself, but before your belongings leave the UK you will need to give us proof of your move (such as a Swiss residence permit, employment contract or tenancy agreement), proof that you have been living in the UK, and a full inventory.
What is not covered. New items bought for the move fall outside the relief and can be assessed for Swiss VAT, currently 8.1%. Your move manager will ask you to list them separately so the rest of your home is not delayed.
After you arrive. You must register at your local commune’s residents’ office within 14 days. It is a legal requirement and it starts your residence permit, bank account and health insurance.
Fine to bring under the relief: used furniture, clothing, books, kitchenware, personal electronics and other household belongings you have owned for six months or more.
Declare separately: anything new, high-value electronics, and alcohol or tobacco above personal allowances. These may attract duty or VAT.
Leave out or ask first: firearms and weapons without Swiss permits, plants and some foodstuffs, and anything you are unsure about. Raise it with your move manager before it goes in a box.
Our international removals services are fully comprehensive, this is to ensure you feel minimal stress when it comes to moving your belongings.
Our professional team uses high-quality materials for packing and expert techniques to carefully wrap and protect your belongings for their international move. From delicate ornaments to large furniture, everything is packed with international transit in mind for your peace of mind.
We handle everything from single pieces to full household shipments as part of our international removals. Our team ensures your furniture is carefully disassembled (if needed), securely wrapped, and expertly loaded for safe transport to Switzerland.
Special care is taken with items that are fragile, valuable, or sentimental. We offer custom crating and enhanced protection for artwork, antiques, electronics, and more to ensure they arrive safely and intact.
The perfect move ensures your whole life leaves one destination and arrives at the other without issue, and our door-to-door delivery service makes this happen. Leave the worry behind with international removals that take your move seriously, so you can seamlessly start building your new life without the hassle.
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Unsure about complex customs forms and legal requirements? You can trust us to provide a lending hand to make this as simple as possible for you. Part of the service is making sure all of your paperwork is up to date and ready, so you can move to Switzerland without the worry and any unexpected delays.
Need flexibility during your move? We offer secure short and long-term storage solutions in both the UK and Switzerland. Whether you need to store your belongings before departure, during transit, or after arrival, we’ve got you covered.
Simplify your relocation from the UK to Switzerland with the expert support of Gerson. Your move will follow 4 simple steps:
Get A Move
Quote
Packing &
Collection
Sea, Air or Road
Transport
Delivery and
Unpacking
We deliver throughout Switzerland, to the German-speaking cantons (Zurich, Basel, Bern, Zug), the French-speaking west (Geneva, Vaud, Fribourg) and Ticino. Mountain villages and old-town addresses often have restricted access; your surveyor will ask about this so the right vehicle is booked.
Gerson Moving Services is a member of the British Association of Removers, with the BAR Advanced Payment Guarantee protecting money you pay in advance. We are IAM accredited, hold FIDI FAIM, the international quality standard for removal companies, and are part of the AGM Group. Disputes can be referred to the Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman.
Here’s how we’ve helped clients achieve exactly what they needed.
“Moved from Guildford to Zürich with three kids. The crew packed the house in two days and remembered to put the boys’ bikes on last so they came off first.”
“Retired to Lugano last spring. Getting the paperwork right for Swiss customs worried me, but our contact explained it all twice without complaint. Very pleased overall.”
“After fifteen years in Edinburgh, we’ve moved back to Bern. Mum’s oak dresser came with us and the crew built a proper crate for it. Really good service.”
A dedicated vehicle takes 3 to 5 days and a shared (groupage) service 7 to 14 days. Swiss customs clearance usually adds one to two working days when your documents are in order.
As a guide, £1,500 to £2,500 for a studio or one-bedroom home, £2,500 to £4,000 for two bedrooms and £3,500 to £5,500 for three. A survey gives you an exact figure for your home.
Not on used household goods you have owned and used for at least six months, provided you are moving your home to Switzerland and the Form 18.44 declaration is filed with the right supporting documents. New items can be charged Swiss VAT.
It is the Swiss customs declaration for importing household goods when you move. Our Swiss partner files it for you. You supply the supporting documents before your belongings leave the UK.
Yes, and many people do. Your move manager will time delivery to follow your arrival, and can arrange storage if your home is not ready.
Yes. Your move manager is your primary contact throughout and will be in touch at collection, at each customs stage and when delivery is booked.
