Zurich, Switzerland
Customs clearance in Zurich
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Zurich. Customs clearance in Switzerland is handled by our own in-house customs team.
Industries in Zurich and how we support them
The Zurich region combines finance with precision instruments, medtech, pharma, electrical engineering and luxury goods. Companies such as ABB, headquartered in Zurich, and Mettler-Toledo, with major operations in Greifensee, ship high-value instruments and components worldwide. Shipments are often valuable, sensitive and documentation-heavy. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight through our airline network via ZRH, On-Board Courier for high-value and sensitive items, Next Flight Out, sea freight via the Rhine and North Sea ports, and customs clearance by our own customs team in Switzerland, including EU-Swiss origin documents.
Operational logistics facts for Zurich
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich Airport (ZRH) | Belly cargo on long-haul passenger flights | Most of Switzerland's international air connections in one place |
| Rhine ports Basel | Containers via Rotterdam and Antwerp | Sea freight delivered into Switzerland by barge |
| Precision instruments and medtech | High-value, sensitive equipment | OBC and careful routing for valuable items |
Airports, seaports and connections in Zurich
- AirportZurich Airport
ZRH - SeaportSea freight via Rotterdam, Antwerp or Hamburg, Rhine barge to Basel
Zurich Airport (ZRH) handles most of Switzerland's air cargo, much of it in the bellies of long-haul passenger aircraft operated by Swiss International Air Lines and other carriers, with Swiss WorldCargo as the home carrier's cargo division. Main-deck freighter capacity in Switzerland is limited, so some heavy shipments are trucked to Frankfurt (FRA) or other European freighter hubs. Sea freight for Zurich arrives via Rotterdam, Antwerp or Hamburg, often with Rhine barge or rail transport to Basel and onward by road or rail.
Zurich is connected by the A1 (Bern, St. Gallen), A3 (Basel, Chur) and A4 (Schaffhausen, Lucerne), with the A51 serving the airport. The airport has its own rail station, and Swiss rail freight links Zurich with the Rhine ports in Basel and the Gotthard corridor to Italy.
Clearance by our own team in Switzerland
In Switzerland our own customs team files the declarations. Questions about classification, valuation or missing documents are answered directly by the people who prepare the entry, without a third party in between.
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.
Documents we check before shipping
Commercial invoice, packing list, the transport document and, where needed, certificates of origin, licences or permits. We check that descriptions, values and HS codes are consistent across all documents before the goods move.
Frequently asked questions
Who clears goods for Zurich importers?
Ziem Logistics clears customs in Switzerland in-house. Our own customs team files import declarations with the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) via Passar. The importer needs a Swiss UID number and, where applicable, VAT registration.
Are import duties still charged on industrial goods in Switzerland?
Since January 2024 Switzerland has abolished import duties on most industrial goods. Agricultural products can still be dutiable, and import VAT applies to most goods. We check the tariff and VAT position for each shipment.
Can EU-origin goods enter Switzerland duty-free?
Under the EU-Switzerland free trade agreement, goods with preferential origin can enter duty-free where duties apply, if the origin statement is correct. We check the documents before filing the import declaration.