Moving personal belongings to Switzerland: customs

Moving personal belongings to Switzerland feels like a big unknown when you are still packing in London, Mumbai, Singapore or Chicago. The good news is that the process follows a clear order. You list what you own, you declare it to customs, and your household effects can come in free of duty if you meet the conditions.

This guide walks you through that order. It explains the duty-free relief for people who settle in Switzerland, how to build an inventory customs can read, and what to sort out before the container is even booked.

The short version

Switzerland lets people who are moving their home to the country bring in their used personal belongings without paying customs duty. The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) calls these "relocation goods" or "moving goods" (Umzugsgut, Übersiedlungsgut in German).

Three ideas matter most:

The relief is for personal, used items that belong to a household that is really relocating.
The items must have been used abroad for 6 months before your move of residence (FOCBS).
The import should be linked in time to your move. The FOCBS treats an import within 2 years as unproblematic.

You declare everything on form 18.44, signed and filed in two copies. The rest of this page explains how to get there without stress.

How the process runs, step by step

From packing list to customs clearance

Each step feeds the next. A weak inventory slows down the form, and a late form slows down the truck. If you prepare in this order, there are few surprises at the border.

What counts as relocation goods

Think of the things that make a home yours: furniture, clothes, kitchenware, books, a desk, children's toys, your bicycle, musical instruments. These are everyday objects that you have owned and used.

What usually does not fit the idea is anything bought new for resale, or items bought just before you leave to take advantage of the relief. The relief is meant for a household that is changing country, not for shopping. If you are unsure whether a particular item qualifies, list it anyway and ask the customs office or a specialist to check it.

Cars and pets follow their own rules, so they have their own guides. See bringing your car to Switzerland and moving with a dog, cat or ferret before you add them to a general shipping list.

The 6-month use rule

The FOCBS expects the goods to have been in use abroad for 6 months before you transfer your residence. In practice this protects the relief from being used for newly purchased goods.

What does this mean for you?

Your sofa, your bed and your books are fine if you have lived with them for a while.
A large television bought last week is a question mark. Keep the invoice and ask before you ship it.
If you are splitting the move in two, think about which items you have already used for long enough.

Exact treatment of borderline cases is for the customs authority to decide. A specialist who reviews your case can tell you what to expect.

Timing: when should the goods arrive?

The import should be connected in time with your move. The FOCBS says that bringing the goods in within 2 years is unproblematic. That gives you room to move in stages.

Example: a couple from Toronto arrives first with suitcases while their furnished short-term home is being arranged. Their household goods follow once they have a lease. As long as the shipment stays connected with the move, the timing works. If you plan something like this, read about furnished and temporary housing for your first weeks.

Building an inventory customs can read

The inventory is the backbone of your declaration. A clear one makes everything else easier.

Tips for a good list

Go room by room. Kitchen, living room, children's rooms, office, garage. It is easier to check and easier to find in a box.
Be specific. Write "dining table, wood" rather than "furniture".
Group small items. "Books, about one box" is better than a list of every title, but do not hide valuable items inside a group.
Mark high-value goods. Art, instruments, electronics and watches should appear on their own line.
Number your boxes and match the numbers to the list.
Keep a copy with you, not only in the container.

What to avoid

Do not mix items that are not part of your household goods into the same list. Keep anything meant for a business, for sale, or for someone else on a separate document.

Form 18.44, explained

The official form is called "Declaration/request for customs clearance of relocation goods" (form 18.44). It must be signed and prepared in two copies.

Work through it calmly:

Fill in your personal details, former address and new address in Switzerland.
Attach your inventory.
Sign it. A signature is required, so plan how you will sign if you are still abroad.
Give both copies to the carrier or the customs agent who clears the shipment.

The form is on the FOCBS website. Download the latest version rather than using an old copy from a friend. If something on it is unclear, the authority can tell you what it needs.

Preparing from your home country

Much of the work happens before departure. Here is a checklist that families tend to find useful.

Decide what to ship, sell, donate or store at home
Note which items you have used for long enough abroad
Write the room-by-room inventory
Download and read form 18.44
Keep invoices for valuable items
Photograph valuable or fragile items before packing
Check your lease start date in Switzerland so delivery can be received
Ask your carrier how they handle export paperwork in your country
Keep your passport and move documents in your hand luggage, not in the container

For a wider view of your timeline, the relocation calendar and the personal moving checklist can help you place each task.

Matching the shipment to your housing

Customs is only one half of the picture. Your goods also need somewhere to go. If your lease has not started, the truck may arrive before you can receive it. Read about renting your first home in Switzerland and how to rent an apartment when you are new here. The rental contract guide will help you spot the move-in date, and the move-in inspection explains what happens on the day you receive the keys.

Think about practical access too. Many Swiss apartments have narrow stairs, small lifts and strict rules about moving days. Quiet hours and building rules vary by building, so ask your landlord or property manager early.

After arrival: registration and insurance

Once you are in Switzerland, you announce your arrival to your municipality. A common rule is within 14 days, although it can vary by town or canton. You usually bring ID, your residence or work permit and proof of health insurance (ch.ch).

Health insurance is also on a clock. Anyone living in Switzerland must take out basic health insurance no later than three months after taking up residence. If you meet that deadline, cover is backdated to your arrival date (FOPH). Keep your paperwork together so these steps are smooth.

Keep your customs documents with your arrival papers. If anyone asks later about your imported goods, you will have everything in one folder.

Common mistakes to avoid

Shipping new purchases that have not been used for the required time.
A vague inventory such as "household items, many boxes".
Signing late. If you forget to sign the form, the shipment can wait.
Mixing cars, pets and household goods. Each has separate rules.
Forgetting your delivery access. If nobody can receive the goods, the shipment stalls.
Assuming one rule fits every case. Your situation, such as your country of origin or permit type, may change what you need.

How we can help

Relocation Swiss connects you with relocation companies in Switzerland that handle international moves. Depending on your request, we put you in touch with the one that fits your situation. They can look at your shipment, your timeline and your documents. You can use the request at the bottom of this page to describe your move. If you are still deciding where to live, the city comparator and the international moving overview are good places to start.

If you come from Asia or the Gulf, you may also like the country guides: from Japan, from Singapore, from Hong Kong, from South Korea and from Saudi Arabia.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my furniture into Switzerland duty-free?

Yes, used household furniture can generally be imported free of duty if you are moving your residence to Switzerland and meet the conditions. The goods must have been used abroad for 6 months and be declared on form 18.44 (FOCBS).

What is form 18.44?

It is the official declaration and request for customs clearance of relocation goods. It must be signed and filed in two copies.

How long must I have used my items abroad?

The FOCBS expects use abroad for 6 months before your transfer of residence. Items you bought only recently may not qualify.

How long do I have to bring my goods in?

The FOCBS describes an import within 2 years of your move as unproblematic. The shipment should stay connected in time with your relocation.

Do I need an inventory?

Yes. A clear, room-by-room inventory is the best way to support your declaration and avoid questions at the border.

What language should the inventory be in?

Use a language customs staff can read. English is usually practical for international movers, and a specialist can tell you if a translation is needed.

Can I ship goods before I move?

The goods should be linked in time with your move. Sending them very early or very late can raise questions, so plan the dates around your arrival.

Can my belongings arrive after me?

Yes. Many people arrive first and have their goods follow. Keep the shipment connected to your move and stay within the timing described above.

Do I pay anything on my used personal items?

If the conditions are met, the relief means no customs duty on relocation goods. Other costs, such as transport and packing, are separate and come from your carrier.

Can I bring new items?

Items bought new and unused are not what the relief is designed for. Ask before you add them, and keep invoices.

Do I need to be in Switzerland to sign the form?

You must sign the form, but where you sign depends on your plans. Ask your carrier or customs agent how they handle signatures for people still abroad.

Who files the declaration?

Often the carrier or a customs agent presents the shipment and your form at the border. Check with your mover who does what.

What if I forget an item on the list?

Add it as soon as you notice, and tell the person handling your shipment. Do not leave valuable items out of the inventory.

Can I bring my car with my household goods?

Cars follow different rules from household goods. Read the car import guide first.

What about my dog or cat?

Pets have their own entry requirements. See moving with a dog, cat or ferret.

Does my nationality change the customs rules for my belongings?

This page covers the relocation relief in general. Whether your permit route matters for a specific case is something a specialist can check when they review your situation.

Do I need my residence permit before shipping?

Your permit route and your move date matter for planning. Use the permit finder to see what usually applies, and ask a specialist about timing.

Should I buy insurance for the shipment?

Many people insure their goods in transit. The right cover depends on your items and your carrier, so ask your mover what is included.

Can I store things in Switzerland until I find a home?

Many movers offer storage. Ask your carrier, and plan it together with your temporary housing.

When do I register with my municipality?

A common rule is within 14 days of arrival, but towns and cantons can differ (ch.ch). Ask your municipality what it requires.

When do I need health insurance?

Basic health insurance is required no later than three months after you take up residence. If you meet that deadline, cover starts from the date you moved in (FOPH).

What should I keep after the move?

Keep the signed form, the inventory, your carrier documents and any invoices for valuable items. Store them with your arrival papers.

Where can I get help with my whole move?

Use the request at the bottom of this page. A relocation specialist can then look at your shipment, your housing and your timeline together. You can also browse the questions and answers on moving to Switzerland.

Shipping your belongings: customs, inventory and duty-free rules