Swiss Federal Council Decides to Lift Tariffs on Industrial Products | Trademo Insights

To increase the Swiss market’s exposure to international trade, the Federal Council has decided to lift the industrial tariffs. The changes will be effective from 1 January 2024.

The initiative was taken as a part of import facilitation measures introduced by the Federal Council in 2017 followed by the Parliament passing required amendments to the Customs Tariff Act in October 2021.

There’s more. The Swiss customs tariff structure for industrial products will be streamlined and the administrative procedures for importing will be simplified too.

So, what will change?

According to the Swiss Customs tariff classification, all goods except agricultural products are industrial products. Therefore, the items covered under Chapters 25-97 except Chapters 35 and 38 concerning agricultural items will be impacted by the abolition of industrial tariffs.

There will be changes in the current Swiss working tariff Tares. The currently applicable highly detailed breakdown for determining differentiated customs duties will no longer be required. The FOCBS or the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security will make the updated data available.

The customs clearance process for imports will remain the same, though. Businesses will be required to ensure effective declaration of imports including proper tariff numbers for goods.

Producing the certificate for preferential origin for importing industrial goods will no longer be required unless the goods are to be processed or exported further.

With this move, Switzerland is set to reinvigorate its position in the global supply chains, boost trade ties, bring down its production cost, and appease end consumers. Businesses must, thus, ensure necessary operational and administrative preparedness for the changes underway. With Trademo Compliance, checking the tariff rates and classifying industrial goods is faster and more effective than ever.