I recently moved to Zurich from the East coast and figured I would post my experience importing my US-purchased BMW. I can't say if my experience is typical, but I read many posts that said don't bother importing because it's difficult and expensive and didn't seem to be based on the author's actual experience.

Car: 2010 BMW 335d
Import process: flat bed pickup at house in US, transported to port in Newark. Shipped to Germany. Flat bed truck to a warehouse lot just outside of Zurich. Cost was approximately 800 chf including customs duties and shipping insurance.

Insurance: used Geico overseas. Cost approx. 1700 chf per year

Swiss registration: can't recall the name of the process, but you need your car to be reviewed and approved by the Swiss authorities before they will register it. They will inform you of what needs to be changed before they will issue the Swiss plates. In my case, no changes needed. Total cost for BMW service, drop off, car steam-cleaning, and registration fees: 500 francs.

Total cost to import a car that retails for 80000 chf in Switzerland was 3000
chf (includes cost of insurance for 1 year)

I would do it again in a second.

I hope this helps.

Mr. Bourne.

wow just wow.

I paid 800 alone importing my car from Holland in taxes on a 3000 chf car....is this just import or also mfk duties etc etc

800 is the transport. He says later the total cost was 3000.

10 years ago I was looking to import my US car to Belgium and the transportation costs were US$750.

Did you own the car for more than 6 months before you imported it?

Yes. I bought it new in December 2009.

Also, I did not have to produce a certificate of conformity (I'm not sure if the dealership did this though).

If the car was manufactured for the US market, there wouldn't have been an EU certificate of conformity. But there is a recognition of US EPA certifications for vehicles manufactured for the US market after 1996, and the US SAE or DOT markings are accepted for parts.

See page 7 of this document:

http://www.tcs.ch/main/fr/home/auto_...oitures_fr.pdf

Excellent! I did not know that. Now if I had only purchased a 911 instead of a BMW...

You did not mention any import tax and VAT when registered in Switzerland. I understood that that worked out at about 13%?
How come you did not have to pay any taxes on it?

@Mr.Bourne: No issues with the radio (FM frequency steps) or the navigation system?

Mr. Bourne, nice work! I had a friend who imported a brand new Toyoya from the US (because the specific model is not sold here and can only be imported from special dealers). The price to import through the dealer can range between 65-85k chf. However, he was able to purchase and import it himself all in for 45k chf including shipping, insurance and vat. Its worth it if you are willing to take the time and do the research and make all the necessary changes that is needed.

Only "most" radio stations work. Not all. Not an issue for me as I linked up my iPod and control it through the Nav.

As for the Nav, I had the dealer reflash for EU. Cost 0 (dealer didn't charge, normal cost was around 200chf).

I owned the car for more than 6 months when I shipped over so no VAT or duty owed.

Because he owned it for 6months priory to moving to CH and brought it as part of his household move.

because he owned it for more then 6 months before coming here, so no import tax's to pay

eta LOL far far too slow.

I'm seriously debating buying another car in the US and going through the process again. I'll have to pay VAT and duty because I won't own for more than 6 months before I import, but the savings appear to still be in the 20-25% range, especially if you are going with a higher-end car.

I probably saved closer to 40% with the car I already owned in the US.

The only obstacle is that some dealers won't sell you a brand new car straight from the dealer without registration and insurance in that state. And this can be dealer specific so you will want to ask about exporting the vehicle early on so you don't waste your time going through the motions.

Good point. I guess you could always register and insure and ship shortly afterwards.

Or you could buy a slightly used one. You'll pay even less on a slightly used on anyway.

Can you bring me an F150? My not-yet-mid-life-crisis is leading me to dump the Mini & buy a big fat truck! :P I'm only 1/2 joking....

Sent you a PM Mr.Bourne