The import platform has been setup to help identify the applicable technical regulations for a product to be placed on the Swiss market.
Technical regulations that must be met when placing products on the Swiss market
Two different scenarios apply for products to be placed on the market in Switzerland:
- If a product falls under the scope of a mutual recognition agreement contracted by Switzerland – as is the case with the EU, EEA/EFTA, Turkey and Canada – or the «Cassis de Dijon principle», the placing on the market follows the rules of the mentioned agreements and Chapter 3a of the Law on Technical Barriers to Trade respectively, which both simplify the placing of goods in Switzerland.
- If however the product does not fall under the scope of one of the international agreements mentioned above, nor is it covered by the «Cassis de Dijon principle», the product must comply with the Swiss technical regulations in order to be placed on the Swiss market.
Portal of Swiss product regulations
Additional regulations to be met when importing products
This platform does not include all the regulations that need to be met to import a product to Switzerland. Further information can be found on the website of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security FOCBS (customs duties, beer and tobacco taxes, VAT and other indirect taxes) and that of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (intellectual property). The Federal Customs Office’s online-tool TARES offers information on the customs clearing procedure.
Global Trade Helpdesk
Additional information regarding both imports into Switzerland and exports from Switzerland to the whole world can be found on the Global Trade Helpdesk platform.
This platform was founded by the international organisations International Trade Center (ITC), World Trade Organization (WTO) and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
It aims to support all companies in entering markets more easily through direct access to relevant information and general conditions.
