Am investigating the opportunity to import furniture into Switzerland for retail & wholesale onto the local market.
Not looking to do anything large in volume to start with, but am looking to do a trial run shortly.
What do I need to be aware of when transporting goods into Switzerland ? i.e. Zoll etc .... will be bringing this in directly, not via a recognised shipper.

Thanks P

USP
Distribution Channels
Competition
Safety Regulations
Selling
Storage
Pricing
the other "p"s
insurance
logistics and tranportation costs
lead times
Cash flow
Just in Time

Ok thats off the top of my head. The key thing that jumps out is: where or how are you going to sell it ? Thats why I put Distribution near the top.

dave

Showroom
Sales Channels (part of distribution again)
Delivery - who, how


Sorry if this is a bit unstructured, but its Friday night....


dave

Hi Dave, quick on the button as ever.
We have covered most of those bases & currently only have safety issues to get through; i.e. CE type quality ...
My question is more on what customs regs I can expect to get hit with. As my original post said, not large volumes, but high end wooden stuff ... USP ? About 50% cheaper than your average Teo Jacob ...
Final challenge is to get some samples up here & test the wholesale market ...
you interested ?

I actually imported some oak wood furniture from UK as I was frustrated with the minimalist-post-modern-bland-modern-chipboard-coated-crap that seems to dominate the swiss furniture market.

Are we in the Complaints corner already ?

For what it's worth, I think there is a market. Don't sell on price. You've been here long enough to know that

dave

indeed ....

Yeah, sorry. Rereading your post it seems you are already quite a way down the line.

You will need to claim back VAT on leaving the source country and pay it on entry to Switz. So there may be a net gain there. You will also have to pay duty on import. There is a whole book of the rates for different stuff. Try zoll.ch for more info.

The safety rules on non flammibility and strength etc are likely to be more interesting. You can bet your bottom CHF that this country will have "extra" requirements beyond Cenelec to prevent Johnney Polarise coming over here taking our women and stealing our jobs...


dave

that is exactly where I'm sticking at the moment, as have to get the paperwork translated ... grrr
as for being here taking jobs & women ... too late done & done ..

thanks for the zoll link, so simple but so far away from my thoughts .....

I have a Swiss acquaintance (you never know, give it 10 years or so may even be a friend) who ran an antique and reproduction furniture importing business but found the bottom fell out of it when the Swiss went for modern houses, apartments, and contents.

Having said that, harbinger of doom that I am, put me down for some wardrobes .

You will have to pay customs duties according to regulations at your zoll.ch link.
You will have to pay the Swiss VAT (Mehrwertsteuer) - 7.6% on value of goods.
You will have to pay the forwarding agent a fee for customs clearance - this can vary a lot and includes the paperwork, software fee and, and, and - get more than one quote...

thanks Crumbs, on the forwarding agent, we will be missing this part out, as we are shipping ourselves.

don't forget Bob, I know where you work .....

Scared now. Might wake up with a chair leg in my bed .

Oddly enough I have been looking at furniture for my appartments as want to rent them furnished.
I live in Mendriso - Ticino.
Mainly seems to be Ikea or Migros Home stuff that to me looks cheap but isn't cheap for what it is.
Like you I have been looking for proper wooden furniture and was wondering if there would be a market for it in Switzerland as doesn't seem readily available and if so very expensive.
http://www.jufurniture.co.uk/boston.html

I have even negotiated prices with this furniture company in the UK who imports container loads and can get direct container loads to Switzerland for me.
Interested to hear your opinions as well.

hmm shopping in Mendrisio can never get there often enough.