Switzerland
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Lugano
Lugano is close to Milan Malpensa, often the fastest airport for Ticino shipments.
Services in Lugano
- Air freight in LuganoAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in LuganoFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in LuganoImport and export clearance by our in-house customs teams in 8 countries and by partner teams in the Ziem network.
Airports, seaports and connections in Lugano
- AirportMilan Malpensa
MXP - AirportZurich
ZRH - SeaportGenoa and La Spezia
Lugano is close to Milan Malpensa (MXP) in Italy, often the most practical airport for Ticino shipments thanks to its long-haul network and freighter flights. Zurich (ZRH) is the main Swiss alternative, reached through the Gotthard road tunnel or by rail. For sea freight, Ticino importers usually use the Italian ports of Genoa and La Spezia, with containers trucked or railed to the Swiss border at Chiasso.
The A2 links Lugano with Chiasso and the Italian motorway network towards Milan, and northwards through the Gotthard road tunnel to central Switzerland. Chiasso is one of the main Swiss-Italian border crossings for freight, and the Gotthard rail corridor connects Ticino with the rest of Switzerland.
Industries in Lugano and how we support them
Ticino around Lugano has a strong trading and fashion sector, with several fashion and luxury brands running distribution centres in the canton, as well as pharmaceutical companies and commodity traders. Freight includes fashion and luxury goods, pharmaceuticals and trade goods moving between Italy, Switzerland and overseas. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight through our airline network via MXP or ZRH, sea freight via Genoa and La Spezia, On-Board Courier for valuable items, and customs clearance by our own customs team in Switzerland, including transit from Italy.
Operational logistics facts for Lugano
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Milan Malpensa (MXP) | Long-haul and freighter flights | Closest major airport for Ticino |
| Chiasso border crossing | Freight between Italy and Switzerland | Transit and Swiss clearance at the border |
| Ports of Genoa and La Spezia | Mediterranean container traffic | Shorter sea route for Ticino than North Sea ports |
Customs clearance in Switzerland
In-house customs team
Customs clearance in Switzerland is handled by our own in-house customs team.
Air freight to and from Switzerland is booked through our carrier network.
Importers in Switzerland need a Swiss business identification number (UID) and, for VAT, registration with the Federal Tax Administration where applicable.
Frequently asked questions
Do Lugano shipments fly from Malpensa or Zurich?
Milan Malpensa (MXP) is often closer and offers freighter flights, while Zurich (ZRH) keeps the shipment within Switzerland. We compare transit, customs steps and capacity for each booking.
Can you ship luxury goods from Ticino securely?
Yes. For high-value goods we choose routings with few transfers and agree handover procedures. For very valuable items, an On-Board Courier keeps the goods in personal custody throughout the journey.
Do you collect in Lugano, Mendrisio and Chiasso?
Yes. We arrange pick-up across southern Ticino, including Lugano, Mendrisio, Chiasso and Bellinzona, through trusted road partners and deliver to the departure airport.
How are goods arriving at Malpensa cleared for Lugano?
Goods arriving at Malpensa from outside the EU are usually moved under the common transit procedure across the Italian-Swiss border and cleared into Switzerland. Our own customs team prepares the Swiss import declaration via Passar.
How are Ticino exports via Malpensa handled?
Swiss export goods are declared for export in Switzerland and then moved under transit through Italy to Malpensa, where they leave the EU. We coordinate the Swiss export and transit documents.
What does a Lugano importer need for customs clearance?
A Swiss UID number and, where applicable, VAT registration with the Federal Tax Administration. We file the declaration with FOCBS and check the tariff, origin and VAT position.