Hello everyone, I moved in the Switzerland recently. Some of my clothes remained in my home country so I want to make them send to me. (Clothes are used not new) I have read some posts but they were mainly about buying stuff abroad. My questions;
1) Is there a fee or tax for receiving a parcel contains used clothes?
2) Does sender need to add a value? If don’t what would happen?
3) Is it possible to receive local foods without label in the same box with clothes?
Thanks

1) Everything is based on value and tax bands depending on the type of item; I think this would just count as clothing, the fact it's used doesn't make any difference (except to the value of course).
2) Yes; if they don't, customs will open the parcel to work out the value and charge you for this.
3) Legally? No.

The allowances are listed somewhere in one of the sticky posts.

Make sure that everything sent is okay with Switzerland's custom restrictions. They can be particularly strict about having food sent here, depending on what it is.

To avoid having to pay customs, be sure the sender marks it as being a gift, clearly marks that it is used clothes and personal belongings (nothing that is new) and values the package at under (I think it is) 100 CHF.

When I moved here, I sent about 10 huge boxes of my personal belongings from the US, via the US postal service. I was told to do the things that I just mentioned, and I didn't have to pay any customs fees or anything when they arrived.

But you might want to double-check in terms of the value limit, as that may have changed from a max of 100 CHF since then.

If they're your personal belongings, marking it as a gift doesn't seem right to me.

No, be honest. "Used personal effects of a new legal resident".

The customs people know what they are doing and are capable of evaluating the actual value.

I can understand that. But I had to put my mother's return address on the label (since I was moving and no longer had an address in the US), and that's what they had told me to do. I think the value of being under 100 CHF also had to do with it being a gift and thus not having to pay any customs. (e.g. If someone in the US sends you a gift here, they have to mark it as a gift and value it at under 100 CHF in order for you to not have to pay any customs or VAT).

But it's been over 10 years since then so my memory is a little bit foggy on all of it.

I think I do remember now that I had also marked on the labels that I was moving here, so something like "personal belonging -- moving to Switzerland." Something to that effect.

Sorry if I've confused anyone. Or myself.

In general:

Any thing you send or bring into Switzerland (a.k.a importing) is subject to import tax and duty. Exception apply.

Import tax is 7.7% or 2.5% of the goods value. It is same as the sales tax/VAT.

Duty is charged based on original country of origin/manufacturing. Nearly all goods are categorized using a so called international harmonized tariff number: Used clothing for example has the number 6309.0000 and a duty of CHF 1.32 CHF/kg if it is from outside the EU.

If you bring or get something shipped into Switzerland follow the proper procedure, formalities, and know the rules and limits. This avoids any nasty surprises, unnecessary extra cost, and delays.

If items are send with the post a form CN22 or CN 23 must be attached to the shipment. The form must be filled in truthfully and list everything in the package.

Considering you read the Swiss customs website on the topic of relocation: https://www.ezv.admin.ch/ezv/en/home...-effects-.html
You did read, right? It is in English and has a lot of useful information.

If you followed the correct procedure you should now have a stamped Form 18.44 on which you have listed all the belongings which you want to import as part of your move. You got that, right? The form and the customs stamp?

In that case fill in form CN22/23 correctly and add a copy of the stamped Form 18.44 to the waybill of your shipment. Remark on CN22/23 that it is relocation goods.

__________________
"Okay, I just hope we don't wake up on Mars or something surrounded by millions of little squashy guys."

Your parcel might, or might not- be inspected. Customs officers are quite good at working out if something is new or not. They know that one of the tricks is to cut labels off, and mix new expensive clothes with old ones. Same for shoes, handbags, etc. They have seen it all.


As for food, I would not mix clothes and food. As said above, they are very strict about meat and other imports from 3rd countries which may present a biological risk- especially wild bush meat and pork, etc.

Thank you all for information

Is this from outside EU. Customs officers are much more careful from some non EU countries- re illegal imports of animal products, bush meat, shoes and bags with protected species, etc.