Import and register your own car when moving to Switzerland
6 tasks in suggested order
1. Declare the vehicle to customs at the first border crossing connected with the move
A foreign vehicle must be declared to Swiss customs at the first border crossing connected with your move; there is not simply a one-year customs deadline. If this was missed, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security instructs you to complete customs clearance promptly at a staffed competent office.
Official source: BAZG
2. Check whether the car qualifies as relocation goods (six-month rule)
If you personally used the vehicle abroad for at least six months before moving and continue to use it afterwards, it may qualify for duty-free import as relocation goods if the BAZG conditions are met. Customs clearance uses form 18.44 and the supporting documents listed there.
Official source: BAZG
3. If used for less than six months: check customs authorisation 15.30
If applicable: Only if the vehicle was used abroad for less than six months before the move.
If the vehicle was used abroad for less than six months before the move, duty-free treatment as relocation goods does not automatically apply. Under certain conditions, customs authorisation 15.30 can allow duty-unpaid use for up to two years from the move. Swiss plates must nevertheless be requested no later than one year after moving.
Official source: BAZG
4. Prepare Swiss insurance and cantonal registration documents
For registration with the cantonal road traffic office you need Swiss motor liability insurance plus the vehicle and customs documents. Depending on the vehicle and canton, a technical inspection and additional evidence may be required. The road traffic office of your canton of residence is responsible.
Official source: ch.ch
5. Apply for Swiss plates no later than one year after moving
Regardless of whether you use customs authorisation 15.30, you must apply for Swiss plates with the competent cantonal road traffic office no later than one year after moving your residence. After the customs notification, a canton may also send you a specific deadline.
Official source: BAZG
6. After Swiss registration: complete deregistration in the previous country of registration
Before Swiss registration, check how the previous country of registration handles deregistration, plates and original documents. For Swiss registration of a vehicle from abroad, you need, among other things, proof of the foreign registration. If the previous country requires deregistration only after Swiss plates have been issued, complete it afterwards and keep the proof. The exact procedure depends on the rules of the previous country of registration.
With the competent official vehicle-registration authority in the previous country of registration.
Foreign registration certificate/proof of registration, previous plates and, if required, proof of Swiss registration.
Do not return the foreign registration certificate or plates too early. Swiss registration requires proof of the foreign registration.
Official source: ch.ch
