Frequently asked questions

1. VAT must be reclaimable The listing should show the note "VAT reclaimable". Why? If the offer doesn't include VAT, none can be refunded after the import. For people who live in Germany and buy a car there, VAT is irrelevant. But when you import the vehicle into Switzerland, this note makes a difference of 19 % of the purchase price — not exactly small on a car purchase. 2. Dealer rather than private seller To ensure a smooth import into Switzerland, we recommend buying from a dealer. With private sellers the likelihood of missing documents (COC and certificate of origin) is high and complicates the whole process. Private offers also don't include VAT, making the purchase more expensive. 3. Use the search filters on mobile.de To simplify your search, we recommend using the filters on mobile.de. For better results, select "VAT reclaimable" as well as "dealer offers only". Those were the most important tips :) Once you've found your new dream car, the big question is: "What does the car cost in the end in Swiss francs, including VAT and import services?" A car import only pays off if you actually save money. But what is part of the import costs? Which taxes apply at Swiss customs? How expensive is transport by truck? What does the CO₂ levy cost on new vehicles? What about the inspection and registration costs? Working all this out in detail costs you time and nerves. Save yourself both with our car-import calculator.

Calculate your car import online and receive an automated written quote at the end. Sign the order confirmation and submit the documents via the order form. We look forward to hearing from you!

If you commission us with the complete import handling, we usually need 3 to 4 weeks: 2 weeks for the import into Switzerland and around 1 to 2 weeks for homologation (vehicle inspection and registration).

The COC (Certificate of Conformity) is a manufacturer document. It is only issued for vehicles produced for the EU market. You need this document at Swiss customs as well as at the vehicle inspection (MFK). If you're missing the COC document, contact us.

If you want to pay for your new car in EUR but only have a CHF bank account, it's worth checking cheaper currency-exchange options. In combination with a car import, Import-Butler.ch offers you currency exchange at favourable rates. You can calculate online how much you save with the currency-exchange calculator.

If you import a car into Switzerland, under the Swiss Code of Obligations (Article 210 paragraph 1) you are entitled to a two-year warranty from the first registration. Some brands also offer a Europe-wide 5-year warranty on purchases abroad. When you buy a new car in Switzerland, you're often offered a 5-year warranty with free servicing — the added value is naturally reflected in the vehicle price. As we know, nothing is free.

If you'd like to import a car from abroad into Switzerland, Import-Butler.ch supports you with the complete handling. First, simply look for your desired car abroad. You contact the seller and negotiate the purchase contract directly with the dealership. If you'd like an independent valuation, we can support you with that. As soon as you've signed the purchase contract and paid for the vehicle, you can commission us with the import handling. Just create your car-import quote online and sign the order in writing on the last page. You can submit the signed documents directly online. That's it. We'll gladly contact you personally right away. Next, we get in touch with your seller and organise the required documents. Once your import file is complete, we plan the collection by a Swiss transport company, the customs clearance, the CO₂-levy handling, the vehicle inspection and finally the registration. The complete handling, from collection to registration, usually takes 3 to 4 weeks.

If you move your residence to Switzerland, you can import your vehicle as relocation goods (Übersiedlungsgut) under certain conditions – in this case no VAT is due. The requirement: you must have owned the vehicle for more than six months before moving to Switzerland. The duty-free import requires special customs papers; we are happy to handle the formalities for you.

The EORI number is a customs number that can be created for any German company subject to VAT. On export, the EORI number is reported to the customs office and serves to refund the foreign VAT. Without this number, the foreign company cannot prove the correct export.

If you buy a car abroad from a dealership or company, the offer usually includes VAT (e.g. 19% in Germany). In the first step you pay the gross amount including VAT. Next, you need an export declaration for the foreign customs authority. Only with a correct electronic export declaration do you receive the customs export certificate, allowing you to reclaim the tax already paid from your seller. Often the German VAT is treated contractually like a deposit. If you provide your seller with the export certificate within the agreed period, they transfer the amount back to your account. Note: if you buy a car from a private individual, the offer does not include VAT, so you cannot claim a refund after export.

The F-gas registration is mandatory nationwide for all companies that want to export a vehicle containing refrigerant. It must be done once. After registration you receive an F-gas identification number which, like the EORI number, must be used for all future export clearances. Complete the registration as soon as possible. The completed authorisation must be sent to us together with the F-gas identification number. Important: the German export can only be applied for after we have received the F-gas identification number and your authorisation.

With an export declaration, the car is registered for export with the foreign customs authority. Without these documents, the VAT cannot be refunded. The declaration must be created and filed before export.

You can calculate the customs costs incurred on import into Switzerland directly online in seconds with the import calculator. It takes the German VAT, Swiss VAT and the automobile tax into account. The customs-cost calculation is structured as follows: Purchase amount in euros incl. VAT (gross) − foreign VAT = purchase amount in euros (net) Currency conversion at the customs exchange rate = net purchase amount in CHF + automobile tax (4%) = net purchase amount incl. automobile tax + Swiss VAT = vehicle value incl. VAT after clearance

If you buy a car abroad and import it into Switzerland, 8.1% VAT and 4% automobile tax apply at the border. The calculation is structured as follows: EUR gross purchase amount incl. VAT − VAT = EU net purchase amount EUR/CHF exchange rate per Swiss customs = CHF net purchase amount (basis for the Swiss customs calculation) + 4% automobile tax + 8.1% VAT You can settle the taxes conveniently via our customs account by payment slip, or in cash at the border (mind the daily limit).

Two working days are needed to create it. Of course, Import-Butler also offers an express service on request.

The following documents are needed to create the import declaration: Purchase contract EC Certificate of Conformity (COC) if applicable, certificate of origin

The automobile tax is levied in Switzerland on passenger cars and amounts to 4% (as of 05/2024). The basis of the calculation is the Swiss net amount after conversion at the customs exchange rate.

The foreign VAT is deducted from the purchase amount and converted into Swiss francs at the Swiss customs exchange rate. The Swiss net amount is needed for the further import calculation.

New vehicles that were registered abroad for no longer than 6 months, or those between 6 and 12 months old with less than 5,000 km, are decisive for the CO₂ levy on import. What matters is the date of first registration compared with the date of the Swiss customs stamp on form 13.20 A.

You can calculate the cost of the CO₂ levy directly online with our import calculator.

Every Thursday morning we plan the collection of the following week's vehicles. We cannot announce the exact loading date due to the traffic situation abroad. We make direct contact with your seller and plan the collection independently. As soon as your vehicle has been loaded, you receive a notification by email immediately. Please note that the vehicle must be paid for before collection by our transport company.

If you buy your car abroad and drive it to Switzerland under its own power, a customs licence plate is required. The plate with the red sticker includes third-party liability insurance valid for a certain period. The following durations are often purchased for the transfer: 5 days 15 days 30 days However, the plate does not cover damage to your own newly purchased car. For this reason, Import-Butler recommends taking out additional car-import insurance.

Transports by Import-Butler are insured against all risks. You don't need to take out any additional transport insurance.

Naturally, we cannot collect your car from the seller without your authorisation. As soon as we have received your order confirmation, an Import-Butler employee sends you the authorisation to sign.

To offer you transport to Switzerland as cheaply as possible, vehicles are collected all over Germany and imported together. The collective transporter is an open transport. Of course, Import-Butler can also offer you enclosed transport — just ask us.

The cost of truck transport depends on the distance and can be calculated quickly online and without obligation with the transport calculator for all of Germany. For transport from Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands or Austria, we're happy to help personally. Just give us a call.

From placing the order to delivery at the Import-Butler collection point in Volketswil usually takes 2 weeks. The complete car import, however, takes between 3 and 4 weeks.

As soon as your vehicle has been delivered to the destination address, you receive a notification immediately and automatically. So you always know where your vehicle currently is.

Once you have calculated all the costs, simply send us the completed order confirmation online. If you still have questions, please call us. We're happy to help.

If the road traffic office finds faults with the vehicle, you can either arrange a repair through our partner or have the vehicle moved to a garage of your choice at your own expense.

If you buy a car abroad with a tow bar, this device must be inspected separately at the Swiss vehicle inspection. We're happy to take care of this inspection for you — just let us know.

An MFK appointment cannot be announced before the vehicle is delivered to the collection point. Import-Butler sometimes receives express appointments from the road traffic office that must be taken within an hour.

When you buy a car abroad, your new vehicle usually has foreign licence-plate holders in a different format from the Swiss ones. For this reason, you need a Swiss plate holder after registration. We're happy to fit the Swiss plate holders for you. Just let us know.

If the car is inspected via Import-Butler, the eligibility for registration applies to all of Switzerland.

You can calculate the cost of the vehicle inspection with our import calculator.

If you register your imported car for an inspection appointment yourself, it can take between 5 and 6 weeks depending on the canton. If the inspection is carried out by Import-Butler, the handling takes 5 to 10 working days.

The reference number (Stammnummer) is created by Swiss customs on import into Switzerland. It is on form 13.20 A and is required for the insurance certificate. If a vehicle has not yet been cleared through customs, no reference number exists. The reference number is structured as xxx.xxx.xxx.

The usual contract term is 3 to 5 years. However, on request you can have an "annual right of cancellation" added as a clause. This allows you to cancel your car insurance every year.

Contact Import-Butler and ask for an appropriate car insurance. The whole team is at your side for any questions about car insurance.

An insurance certificate is transmitted electronically by the insurance company to the road traffic office in your canton of residence after conclusion, and is valid for 30 days. For the insurance certificate you need a reference number, which is only created after import by Swiss customs.

An interchangeable plate refers to the arrangement of two vehicles with the same licence plate. The plate can be used on both cars as desired. No more than two vehicles can be registered with the same plate.

If you have registered a car in Switzerland and already have a plate, you can also use your number for your new vehicle from abroad. Simply tell your insurer that the insurance certificate should be issued for an existing plate.

You can cancel car insurance under the following conditions: Premium increase: within 30 days of notification Vehicle change: if you buy a new car, you can switch insurance without notice. The annual premium already paid is refunded to you. Claim: if you are dissatisfied after a claim covered by the insurance, you can cancel within 14 days.

In Switzerland, taking out third-party liability insurance is mandatory. Without a corresponding certificate, no vehicle can be registered.