Abolition of Swiss industrial tariffs: Exporters take note!

Without this proof, their imports would lose the preferential status and would have to be considered as non-preferential primary materials for the purpose of the calculation of origin. The "Swiss" share would be reduced, which would mean that products destined for export would lose the preferential status. In turn, the buyer/importer would also have to pay the import duty, meaning that the costs would increase. Competitiveness would thus be reduced.

Your international suppliers will still have to provide preferential proofs of origin for each shipment to Switzerland after 1 January 2024 (provided they meet the FTA rules).

Insist that customs clearance agents, forwarders and/or courier services continue to enter the preferential origin on the customs declaration. This customs document also serves as proof that preferential origin goods were imported in the event of a follow-up inspection by customs.

Moreover, in this way you also ensure that any formal check of the origin documents remains with the specialists and does not cause additional administrative work within your company.

The above statements also apply to goods that do not undergo further processing or finishing in Switzerland, e.g. spare parts. Here too, the preferential origin for goods delivered from abroad must still be proven.

Swiss and Liechtenstein-based sub-contractors must also be aware of the preferential status issue. Supplier declarations in Switzerland may only be issued if the requirements of the individual FTAs are complied with. This also includes imported primary products or goods sold to exporters in Switzerland that arrived on Swiss customs territory with a valid proof of preferential origin.