Just got of the phone with the guy at the office. From what I understand, his french was very bad, he told me i can simply drive to the border, tell the agent i want to import this car and walk into their office I asked for the expeditor but he said it wasnt needed?

called the office in Geneva also and they said the same thing.....just drive to car to the border and thats it

I concur - imported my vehicles and I never even heard of an expiditer .

That's if you bring it when you move here, not if you buy it after you are a resident.

Tom

I lived here for 3 years already so I guess i will not be needing it then?

Not, it that case you do.

Tom

im just gonna figure it out when I get to the border and play dumb. otherwise I will never get the car here

Yes do that.
Anyway if it's needed they will direct you to the closest "expediter/exporter".

When I called the customs, they confirmed what Tom said to us earlier (you need one for anything worth more than 600euros).

They also said that it's common practice and that they have a list of places to send you.

If one would be crossing at the borders in Italy, they will send you to "martiny", get some document in that "expediter" pay little administration fee and you'll have to go back to the customs with the form stamped.

http://maps.google.ch/maps?saddr=Rou...0&sz=9&t=h&z=9 (google map link).

It's one thing to bring a vehicle you already own when you move here, another when you live here and acquire one from another country. Been there, done, that, have the t-shirts, in BOTH cases.

Tom

Holy cow I missed your first post!

1) You will "make a contract of sale of some value".
TUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! *Warning sound*
If the customs see that value as too low, they will use the "official estimation" from the Swiss dealership of your car brand. For example if you have a POLO, they will go at WW Switzerland, give them your car make, model, year, mileage and tell you the estimation.
Just to let you know that it will definitely be much higher than what your car is worth "abroad". -> that will be the basis for their calculation of the import tax + vat = 8% + 4%.

2) Look here:
http://translate.google.com/translat...e-vehicules%2F

You fit in the category:
direct import without special status;

You will need that>
http://translate.googleusercontent.c...8O5jJ2Wypk-0Gg

3) Believe Tom, he gave me accurate advice on importing vehicle in the past! (info that the random Swiss official at the phone did not gave me, or worse said contradicting info. At the end he was right).

nono i will make the contract at fair price. but im not actually paying for the car is what meant with that. i know that if value is to low...... ill figure it out when i get there

btw it is a 2001 BMW 525d break. 220k on the clock but always been in my family since new, never broken down, well maintained etc. is it worth it?

Find out from BMW in CH if the EXACT model was imported & what they will charge you for a COC certificate, if the EXACT model has never been imported it will cost a fortune to register, more than the car is worth.

Not sure if this info will be useful (as your car is from Holland), but when we brought our BMW over from the UK, once we were here, I wrote to the 'Homologation Department' at BMW in the UK, quoting the Chassis number and they posted the COC certificate to us here for free.

The problem here is that he is not bringing a car with him, he is buying a car from another country after living here for three years! (even if it's free, legally speaking he is buying it)

Different rules apply.

Tom

He will also need an EUR1 movement certificate.

Also, as said, if the car is not conform he is going to have to pay loads for the technical inspection.


So how long you want to keep the car?
Because you can choose the Temporary Importation, (max 2 years) but you'll still have lot to pay, and insurance will be 30% higher! The only "advantage" is that you don't pay the customs duty now (8%+4%)...

If you do import it, at the end you would have to re-export and pay dutch duties... VIVA LA ADMINISTRACION!

can I borrow the car for a bit? (rent contract etc) until I get conform. cert.(which shouldnt be an issue) as apparently it takes up to two weeks and I need to go pick up the car this weekend.... . she is fine with keeping it on her insurance and plates. Then after I have all the docs needed I can legally import it, get the mfk, etc etc

If your living here with a CH driving license , no. You can only drive CH registered cars in CH with a CH license.

well gonna take the risk anyways. I need the car and it is the only time I can go...

Just an fyi
I got chased by customs in Germany with sirens and all (they were doing a show like cops...was quit cool) to check in the car. didnt say anything bout driving with swiss license in dutch car. Then got stopped again at the border, not an issue there either to drive to car into the country, didnt even ask me if I was importing it......all that worrying for nothing .....

The Germans would not care, if the Swiss realised you were a resident they would have filled in a form.

There are 2 issues importing a car & evading taxes , also driving without a valid driving license. Could get nasty

it was at the swiss border in Basel. I do have a valid swiss license and Bpermit. so they know im a resident ..... car is simply still under my sisters name and insurance. I even explained I was borrowing it. I will import it in the next few weeks but im waiting on some forms still....