I've heard about this administration fee plus tax thing for receiving packages from abroad. And I also experienced paying 200 sfr duty for my piano bought from Germany. In this case it was commercial.
But if I ask my relative in the US to send me my old guitar via express mail, do I still pay the duty? As there isn't any transaction going on here and he will of course mark it as gift, however, I would write its value (around 1000 us dollar) for package insurance, I guess I still can't avoid the duty? How much will the duty be?
Thanks!

I was busted yesterday in Zurich airport for bringing in a handmade chefs knife from Japan that was a present - they charged 8% for mwst and then 16% for the fine as I didnt declare it

I just received a package marked gift from Canada. It was marked as having a value of 300 dollars. I got stuck with 43 Sfr. duty. All it consisted of were a few clothes for my kids. At the post office they told me that they do "Stichprobe" and that not every package marked gift is charged duty !?!?

Was it taken out of the original packaging when they found it ?

Gifts are exempt up to a value of 100chf. Otherwise you are charged duty and VAT. In my experience, the VAT/TVA of 8% is typically more than the customs duty. Keep in mind many items are duty free, but not VAT free. Refer to the swiss customs site, here for details. http://www.ezv.admin.ch/zollinfo_pri...x.html?lang=en

The processing fee is CHF 18 (regardless of value).

Any customs fee is generally much less than the 8% VAT (if there is one).

And, if you fail to declare something, the penalty is 2x VAT (plus the VAT itself).

Tom