Apart from classic cars, most used cars are actually cheaper in Switzerland, higher spec'd, more often than not garaged, and maintained to a higher standard. Some makes used to prepare cars to a higher standard for the Swiss market, extra sealant against oil leaks on sump gaskets, etc.

I just had company rented cars while here but my impression is that even classics are cheaper. I might be wrong but seems like prices of new cars are higher than in the surrounding countries just because of the demand and low interests on leasings, but as soon as these cars are returned they flood the used market and prices drop noticeably.

Hi, I have a question on importing a vehicle when you're moving to Switzerland for the first time.


Short version: is it possible to import EU car and get Swiss numberplates before you obtain residence permit?



Full explanation:
Me and my wife are moving to Zurich and we're getting our new car delivered from the dealership some weeks before our move. We will put EU transit/temporary numberplates on the car and drive to Zurich. As it's a new car, of course we will do the full importing procedure, customs tax, VAT and so on.


But the issue is, that when we arrive, we won't have residence permits yet. We will apply for it right away, but is it possible to register the car and get Swiss numberplates before you receive residence permit? I will have unlimited job contract, apartment lease agreement and so on. The issue is that EU temporary numberplates are valid for 30 days only and receiving residence permit can easily take a few weeks. This would mean that the car would end up being parked without valid plates or valid insurance, which obviously is a problem...


Did anyone have a situation like this or know the solution? Thanks!

I think you'll find to import it as part of your personal belongings and thus, tax free, you need to have owned the vehicle for at least 6 motnhs prior to entry into Switzerland.

That wasn't his question.

To address his question, in my experience it is not even possible to move a car to a new canton and register/insure it without a residence permit for the new canton (and I even had a Swiss wife), we had to wait near six months (so I kept it on ZH plates for that time)!

Tom

That is not completely correct. You do need a Swiss residence permit, but once you have that it is possible to register cars in any canton if there is a reason to. The vehicle might be used mostly in the canton you register it in, and you will need to provide the address in that canton that it is kept at when not in use. In fact it may be incorrect to register a car in Zurich say, if it is a vehicle you keep and only use in the mountains of Graubunden.

Under new environmental water protection laws that require cars to be MFK'd every 3 years if they are to be stored outside, Police officers check an address for unplated cars, and only issue disposal notices for relevant ones leaving off cars with exchangable plates etc.

Maybe now, but not back in 1990.

Tom

When you register at the commune ask for a "Wohnsitzbestätigung" (proof of residency) this might be good enough to register the car and get plates.

To get a better answer contact the Canton Zurich main StVA at Zurich Albisgüetli
https://stva.zh.ch/internet/sicherhe...n/StVA_Al.html

Please a link to said law which mandates this.

Thanks for the tip! I'll try to contact them also

Well, if a vehicle is not road registered and available for use it can be deemed junk, or being stored. Under 1992 building regulations article 4 you need permission to store junk/make a garbage site, obviously most offenders don't have this all they have is a parking space outside.

Under arts 97, 98, 110 de l'ordonnance du 06 décembre 1978 sur la protection des eaux, they are allowed to ask you to remove your old vehicles if you don't have a garbage site, see above. If you don't they will do this and charge you for it.

Under this strict interpretation, which seems to be new, not the laws, mfk or not, any unregistered vehicle outside is junk.

So as I understand the taxation of the vehicle will apply both ways, meaning..

- if you buy from Switzerland and in the future want to register it in some EU country, you will need to pay VAT and customs duty, which in total can be up to 30% of the vehicles price (depending on the country)

- if you buy from Europe and want to import/register it in Switzerland, there is the same requirement of paying the VAT (20%?) and other duties to pay

Is my understanding correct here?
If so, does this always apply no matter if seller of the vehicle is a private owner or a used car dealer?

VAT in Switzerland is currently 7.7%
Car tax is 4%
Duty is up to CHF 15 per 100kg unladen (depends on original country of origin. Cars made in the EU are normally duty free.)
https://www.ezv.admin.ch/ezv/en/home...es--cars-.html

If the import is not exempt such as in case of a household move or inheritance (conditions apply, see English information by Swiss customs https://www.ezv.admin.ch/ezv/en/home...ts--etc--.html) VAT, tax and duty have to be paid.

__________________
On Strike - ChatGPT knows more than I, so use it (or doesn't it?)

Thanks for this informative thread!

We have imported our UK RHD BMW (2018) X1 to Ch. All the border formalities have been completed.

I took it for MFK - it did not pass on the headlights - i knew this would be the case but wanted to check there were no other faults they wanted fixing first.

Prior to MFK I did take the car to BMW Germany (cheaper!) and they had no clue how to alter the headlights so they were EU friendly...! They checked with Munich about altering the software - they were stumped. The BMW technician couldn't even advise me about whether the headlight units just need completely replacing...

I am waiting to hear back from BMW Basel to get some idea on whether they even have a solution! They are LEDs lights I believe.

Any help????

please rmeber about the CO2 penalties for cars up to 6 months old/ 2000km. In 2020 the emission acceptance level will be decreased to 109g/km, so the penalty can be significant even for small vehicles.

Gilbert

95g i/o 109g mentioned earlier

Here is a calculator. The CO2 tax depends on the emissions and on the weight of the car, too. If the car is heavier you need to pay less.

https://www.bfe.admin.ch/bfe/de/home...rteure-pw.html

THANK YOU!
And I will be selling my Toyota RAV4 to avoid the hassle of moving it over here!

THE UK AND EU part numbers appear to be different. I think you're looking at a new set of headlights, which will be 1kCHF each from a main dealer, or EUR 250ish each if you can get them from eBay Germany



If they're LED

When taking your car on foreign plates as a "personal belonging" in the relocation process, can it be kept on foreign registration for the non-sell period, or does it have to be locally registered with Swiss plates asap?

My current car is 8 years old but in mint condition, and I am planning to get a new one this year. I'd rather take the current one along as to not be without wheels through the relocation process, and then get it registered in Switzerland 6-12 months down the line and have it sold.