I'm hoping to import a new UK built car in mid June.
i think the new CO2 tax is effective from July 1st?

My question - what do i need to do to avoid the new tax?
- do i simply need to cross the border? (i.e. 13.20A form date is the key)
- apply for matriculation at STVA office
- complete MFK and secure new plates

MFK appointment can only be applied for once i have a 13.20A and that can take 10 days or more. So my question really is: What constitutes 'Registration date' in this context?

subsidiary question: in close to Pffafikon in Schwyz. Anybody been through the process here? And can Pfaffikon do everything or do i need to visit Schwyz main office to apply? (i think Pffafikon may only be a test centre)

Thanks

The aim of the new exhaust emission tax is to make people buy more environmentally friendly cars. There is now from 1.7.2012 an average limit for all newly sold cars of 130 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer.

If an importer's average emission exceeds this value, he will be fined. For small traders each car will be billed separately. The Federal Council estimates that the new regime will bring in CO2 by 2015 about 70 to 120 million francs.

This will result in an increase in new car prices, today is reported an increase of CHF 5'000 on a new VW Golf
http://www.20min.ch/finance/news/story/20970888

But importantly for EF members: if you now individually import a car with an exhaust emission worse than 130 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer, you will be fined.

Unfortunately, what matters is the date of the first registration in Switzerland, i.e. the day you receive your plates. It does not matter when the car was imported.

Source: Häufig gestellte Fragen (FAQ) zu den neuen CO2-Emissionsvorschriften für Personenwagen

AFAIK the only way to avoid the tax is to have the car registered outside Switzerland (e.g. in the UK) for at least six months before importing it.

.....and have unfortunately missed deadline anyway.Thx for the feedback though.


I'll still import directly as uk reg will cost 20% vat
CH import cost 12% plus co2 tax
So I'll save about £8.20!

Are you having the car delivered to the border on a loader or a company that is shipping and importing on your behalf?

Driving it myself on export plates.
I remember looking at low-loader delivery option, but can't remember why not right now.....although previous logic was to drive myself to border ASAP as it was always going to be tight to be here before July
At 162g co2 I'm not too badly off

Looks like michael Cain lives close to Wollerau? I'm just down the hill from you, with my driving assistant Lewis

This is what PISSES ME OFF. They don't even make an estimate of how much this will bring down CO2 emissions. They only estimate how much extra money they will make!!!

Indeed! We also have kimi, nick and r fed too!

Low load is easier re insurance side..

Totally agree.

It’s actually one of the worst pieces of legislation I have seen in this country in a long time.

The law heavily discriminates against small or individual importers and benefits the official importers. Large importers (“Grossimporteure”), i.e. those importing 50 cars or more per year will be able to offset CO2 emissions from large cars by selling small cars.

E.g. If the CO2 emission target is at 130 g/km and AMAG sells one VW Touareg with 250 g/km and four VW Polos with 100 g/km they will have to pay zero tax, because the Polos reduce the average emission to 130 g/km. (In reality the calculation is more complex because vehicle weight plus different targets depending on the manufacturer are used to calculate the emission target, but you get the idea…)

However, if I want to buy the same Touareg in Germany and import it for personal use I will have to pay the full amount of tax!

It’s basically a multi-million gift to the official importers as it will help them to protect their inflated prices!

Here a few more interesting facts about this:

http://www.autoscout24.ch/Cms/Articl...o2&cmsaid=5861

This is only for new cars isnt it? 2nd hand are exempt

2nd hand cars are exempt after 6 months from the first registration.

Thats what it looked like, but wasnt 100% sure

Source: Art. 3 Erstmaliges Inverkehrsetzen

thankyou...

This isn't going to do anything except boost sales of 6 month old cars just over the border.

My first ever post as the stupid English husband of Apple 17). I am in the process of having a car built in the UK (a rather polluting one at 299g / km). This means that I would pay the difference (my car has a tolerance of 178g) so 121g x CHF 100 = nasty surprise.

I foolishly went ahead and have paid a deposit to the manufacturer in the UK (paid at the beginning of June) and have only just realised that this awful tax will cost me a little more than I realised after I factored in Swiss VAT, import duty and the weight tax (CHF 450 as the car weights 3t)

My new idea is to leave the car in the UK for the FULL 6 month period and then bring it to CH in March 2013 (it will be ready with a chassis no and be registered in September 2012 I believe).

Although I've been living here for 4 years now, do you think that the Swiss authorities would be bothered if I left it in the UK for the full 6 months, then import it and avoid the CO2 tax? I'd obviously have to pay UK VAT plus a little car tax (before I declare it as SORN) but I can put up with leaving it either at a family's house or even potentially at the manufacturer for 6 months. I assume that the key here is the date of the first registration as Marc had kindly confirmed.

One last question, should it be o.k if it is registered under my name or simply register it as a family member. If the Swiss know that I've deliberately left it in the UK for 6 months (under my name, knowing that I've been here for 4 years) to avoid the tax, will I get into trouble?.

Perhaps somebody far more intelligent than me can opine here.

Treat me nicely. It's my first post and I've clearly not done enough research.

All this for a Defender

Best Regards to All...

Not sure if I understand the 6 month point correctly, but I believe you can only import an existing vehicle which is at least 6 months old at the time of coming into the country. I was also told by some colleagues yonks ago that you have to make this declaration the very first day you enter the country. Best to check with the authorities, before you get an unpleasant surprise...

Good luck there...

It seems your problem is multifaceted...my guys deal with imports day in and out on the insurance side and we have partner companies that may be able to offset the co2 tax slightly. If we could get the car transfered to another dealer for example it may be possible to get a VAT free export also which will help.

6 months from registration is the rule but Swiss authorities are not stupid and are looking for people working the new system.

If you want to PM me your contact details I'll gladly give you a call to discuss options and put you in touch with companies we work with that may take the sting off.

P.s there's nothing wrong with a defender, i take it it's a 110 but that seems to be 295 co...