(16.02.2022) As of 2024, the current average of 1.8% for customs duties on industrial goods will be completely abolished. The Federal Council has taken this decision to facilitate imports of intermediate goods into Switzerland thereby lowering production costs for Swiss companies.
Parliament initiated this reform by approving the amended Customs Tariff Act on October 1, 2021. Initially, customs duties on industrial products protected the Swiss industry from foreign competition, but today they tend to disadvantage Swiss companies by increasing the purchase price of foreign intermediate goods needed for production. Based on projections made in 2018, their abolition is expected to generate annual savings of approximately CHF 563 million for Swiss SMEs and large companies.
The customs tariff is also relatively complicated as it stands today. It will therefore be simplified to strengthen the Swiss economy and to help boost recovery from the crisis. With this reduction in the administrative burden on companies, the potential indirect savings will amount to around CHF 100 million per year.
The lifting of customs duties is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024, thus giving the business community and the administration almost two years to prepare. This will provide them with ample time to make the necessary technical and organizational adjustments.
Last modification 16.02.2022
