I came across this and thought it was very well explained. Now sharing:
http://www.isyours.com/e/immigration...importing.html

Thank you for this post -however, someone else has told me that one has to have owned a car for six months before the commencement of one's residence permit - as opposed to six months before bringing the car in to Switzerland - in order for no taxes to be payable. Does anyone know if this is the case?

Many thanks for any guidance!

That is correct, it must be owned for 6 months before the date of entry on your permit. I have just been through this process and the customs office were quite adamant on this point.

Following on from the OP.

Customs are now up in English - and http://www.ezv.admin.ch/zollinfo_pri...x.html?lang=en is very useful.

I'm sending then an email to find out about vans/minibuses for those who have an interest. I'll keep you posted

I had a thread about this previously, and got a lot of not-quite-answers. In the end, my wife asked the authorities, with our specific circumstances (getting married, owned the car less than 6 months between purchase and permit, UK plates), and they said they'd give us a deal in which the car could be imported in two years, with tax on the future value of the car.

But whatever your circumstances are it's a good idea to call the authorities and ask. In the end they make the decision, not the members of EF.

All, I know that it feels that this topic has been done to death but I have one question; is the tax payable based on the value you paid for the car or is there an official website were the value of cars is calculated? I'm in the process of moving and buying a car/jeep for the move but am trying to understand the tax process. Thanks in advance

Anyone know regarding the German VAT, whether it is refunded on New and Used cars on export to CH?

Im checking an audi A3 out for the fun of it. If you take away german vat and add in 8% (CH Vat) and 4% (CH vehicle tax) then it is cheaper than here. Otherwise if you cant take away german VAT, then the price is comparable to here. Ive only checked used cars so far.

If it's from a dealer you can export it without German VAT as long as the paperwork is in good order...

I was also just informed that if the car is less than 3 years old you no longer have to do all the re-testing, inspection etc as the levels of "worthiness" between Germany and Switzerland are the same

Of course I only just found this out AFTER I brought my new monster 3 weeks ago!

I think you'll find you have to pay the Vat in Germany, get it stamped at customs both sides, pay the Vat in CH and then go back to Germany to cliam it back. V Important that you get all paperwork stamped from both sides.

That's for a new car. VAT is not charged on 2nd hand cars (only on any dealer profit)

what?! wow. i didn't know this. avoiding the import re-test hassle was the main reason i wasn't looking to buy from Germany...

Does VAT for a dealer work differently on cars for any other product in Germany?

Yes I'm informed this is now true and it came from one of the Zurich directors who said..." Why didn't you bring one in from Germany? A lot of our high end clients are doing this with the exchange rate now the rules have changed and it's no problem for us" ( paraphrased but nearly quote for quote )

HI guys, if VAT is not charged on used cars. How come both Netto and Brutto prices are quoted on used cars from German dealers? i.e. http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/sh...e&pageNumber=3

any official reference/link to this rules?

Nope 'fraid not as yet as it was in person and not a researched topic.

I have a meeting with him later in the week, I will ask him where the new rules are listed...

Its not based on what you paid for it, its based on what they think its worth, in our case the customs guy looked for a similar car on autoscout and said ours was worth that much, which was many many 000's more then we paid for it in the uk

Exactly... I think what fatmanfilms is taking about, if it's like the UK, is the VAT margin scheme where a dealer can charge the VAT only on his profit OR charge the whole VAT.. either way there is some VAT and it could be claimed back. I would like to know if Germany has such a scheme and will look into it today...

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/bargain...in_page_id=513

I take it this is to stop buying a car cheaply from UK and selling here to make a profit. Is this just bad luck with the wrong guy at customs or a written down rule?

Anyone got any sources on this?

I suspect it is a leased car, where the VAT is handled differently. If you can get a VAT invoce you would be OK.