Do I have to pay import tax on my household goods?

Not for your own move: household goods that you have used for at least six months and will continue to use are free of duty and import tax . Without a move, import tax of 8.1 % on the value is due; Switzerland has not charged customs duty on furniture since 2024. Newly bought furniture that has been used for less than six months is taxable even when you move.

What documents do I need for the furniture transport?

For your own move you need form 18.44, a complete list of the household goods, an ID and proof of the change of residence, such as deregistration in Germany, a tenancy or employment contract. For a single item without a move, an invoice or declared value and the address of the recipient are usually enough.

What does a move from Germany to Switzerland cost?

The costs of a move to Switzerland depend on distance, moving volume and the additional services booked. With our fixed-price model you receive a binding cost overview before placing the order, without hidden surcharges. You can get a personal quote quickly and without obligation by phone.

How long does the transport to Zurich, Bern or Basel take?

Berlin–Basel and Berlin–Zurich are around 860 km; by lorry this usually takes two days, because driving time rules and the night driving ban in Switzerland apply. Clearance takes place during customs office opening hours, usually on weekdays. With a shared load , delivery depends on the route.

Can I also take my car to Switzerland?

A car that you have used for at least six months counts as removal goods when you move yourself: you declare it at the border and then have it inspected and registered at the cantonal road traffic office. Without a move, it is imported normally. On request we include the vehicle transport in the plan.

Are there restrictions on certain items?

Certain goods such as weapons, perishable food, plants or medicines are subject to special customs regulations when imported into Switzerland. We inform you in advance exactly which items can be transported without problems and which must be declared separately or excluded.

How do I register my residence in Switzerland?

After arrival, register with the municipality (Gemeinde), usually within 14 days; the deadline is set by the canton. Proof for the duty-free import of your household goods can be, for example, deregistration in Germany and a tenancy and employment contract. All the steps are in our checklist for emigrating to Switzerland.

What is a part load and when is it worth it?

With a shared load , your household goods are transported together with other consignments in one vehicle, which reduces the costs. Especially for smaller moving volumes this is a low-cost alternative to a dedicated transport, with an agreed time window for delivery.

Are my household goods insured during transport?

The moving company is liable for household goods under the HGB, by law up to €620 per cubic metre of load space (§ 451e); the CMR convention does not apply to household goods. Report visible damage no later than the day after delivery and hidden damage within 14 days. For valuable items additional insurance is available on request.

How early should I book my move to Switzerland?

We recommend arranging the moving date at least four to six weeks in advance so that there is enough time to prepare the customs documents. Dates are booked up quickly in the summer months in particular, so booking early avoids waiting times and scheduling bottlenecks.

Do you also handle furniture assembly and packing on site?

Yes, on request we take care of packing, dismantling and assembling your furniture for the furniture transport to Switzerland . What of this is included in the fixed price is stated in the quote – as is whether we reassemble at the destination. For a whole household, read more under private move .

STRESS-FREE MOVING

Furniture Transport to Switzerland

Q: Do I need a customs declaration for a move to Switzerland?

Yes, as Switzerland is not part of the EU, every furniture transport to Switzerland is declared at customs – even a single piece of furniture. For your own move you use form 18.44 with an inventory list, for inherited goods form 18.46, and otherwise the normal import declaration. We clarify which one fits before collection.

Single pieces of furniture or a part load to Switzerland: when form 18.44 applies, when VAT is due and how a shared load works.

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Furniture to Switzerland

Single pieces of furniture to Switzerland – with or without a move

Part load

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Switzerland is not part of the EU, so every furniture transport to Switzerland is declared at customs – even a single sofa. How much this costs depends on why the furniture is travelling. If you are moving yourself, used household goods are free of duties with form 18.44. If, on the other hand, you send a wardrobe to your daughter in Zurich without moving yourself, import tax is due. From Berlin to Basel or Zurich it is around 860 km.

For small quantities, besides a dedicated trip there is the shared load: your furniture travels on a lorry when a transport is going in that direction anyway. Even then, your consignment is declared individually – with its own list and its own form. Who takes care of the declaration at the border is set out in the quote. For private customers we plan the transport like a small private move.

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Furniture list, destination address, reason

Tell us the pieces of furniture with their dimensions, the destination address in Switzerland and the reason: a move, a gift, an inheritance or a delivery to a company. Then we know which customs declaration is needed. Call us on 01625978461; we give you the fixed price after photos or a survey. Customs waiting times or Swiss duties are only included if the quote explicitly names them.

Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.

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FOUR CASES AT CUSTOMS

Why the furniture travels matters

Move, import, inheritance, company

At Swiss customs, the reason determines which declaration is needed and whether duties are due. For a furniture transport to Switzerland we therefore distinguish four cases: your own move, import without a move, inherited furniture and furniture for a company. Tell us when you enquire which case applies. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive from here to Switzerland. We are liable for household goods under the HGB, by law up to €620 per cubic metre of load space.

Your own move

Used household goods that you have used for at least six months are free of duty and tax with form 18.44.

Import without a move

Furniture for someone else is imported normally: there has been no customs duty on furniture since 2024, but the import tax of 8.1 % still applies.

Inherited furniture

Heirs resident in Switzerland import inherited goods from abroad free of duties with form 18.46.

Furniture for companies

New furniture for a company is commercial goods: import with VAT, and the CMR applies to the transport instead of the moving rules.

GOOD TO KNOW

Six rules for the border

Whether a move or a single item: these six rules apply to every furniture transport to Switzerland. A complete list of the items with value and dimensions is needed in every case – for customs, the quote and liability.

Opening hours

Household goods are cleared during the opening hours of the customs offices for commercial goods, usually Monday to Friday.

Later shipments

If furniture follows later, declare it on a separate list at the first import.

Small amounts

Import tax of up to 5 francs is not collected – at 8.1 % this corresponds to goods worth around 62 francs. This exemption limit is rarely enough for a piece of furniture.

Lorries over 3.5 t

In Switzerland, heavy lorries are subject to a night and Sunday driving ban, plus the performance-related heavy vehicle charge (LSVA).

Vans

Since July 2026, vans over 2.5 t in cross-border goods transport also need a tachograph.

Liability

The HGB applies to household goods, with up to €620 per cubic metre of load space; the CMR convention is expressly not applicable to household goods.

PART LOAD SWITZERLAND

Shared load to Switzerland

Share the cargo space, cut the costs

A shared load takes individual pieces of furniture or a few boxes from Berlin to Switzerland when a transport is going in that direction anyway. We agree collection and delivery within a time window. Because clearance only takes place during customs office opening hours, we plan the border crossing on a weekday; form 18.44 or 18.46 should be ready at collection.

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EUROPE-WIDE MOVES

Everything
for your move

Everything around your move

If you are moving to Switzerland yourself, registering with the municipality (Gemeinde), health insurance and your driving licence are added to the furniture transport – these steps are covered in our checklist for emigrating to Switzerland. For a complete household, read more under long-distance moves. If it is only about individual items such as a piano, a work of art or delicate electronics, we clarify packing, declared value and customs declaration in advance.

Planning safe and relaxed

A list with dimensions, value and reason is the basis. With it we clarify the form, vehicle, border crossing and date for your furniture transport to Switzerland and give you the fixed price.

Furniture, boxes, transport routes

With suitable packing, blankets and straps, a wardrobe can easily cope with around 860 km. At the destination we clarify access, floor and the route from the vehicle into the flat.

Costs, timing and special cases

The time window and costs depend on whether a shared load or a dedicated trip fits. Swiss duties are only included in the price if the quote explicitly names them.

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FAQ

Questions about furniture transport to Switzerland

Customs, import tax, inherited goods, shared load and liability – for single pieces of furniture and part loads.

Yes, as Switzerland is not part of the EU, every furniture transport to Switzerland is declared at customs – even a single piece of furniture. For your own move you use form 18.44 with an inventory list, for inherited goods form 18.46, and otherwise the normal import declaration. We clarify which one fits before collection.

Household goods, import or inheritance?

As Switzerland is not an EU member, every furniture transport to Switzerland is declared at customs. If you are moving your own place of residence, used household goods are free of duties provided you have used them for at least six months and will continue to use them. For this there is form 18.44 with an inventory list; proof can be, for example, deregistration in Germany, a tenancy agreement or an employment contract in Switzerland.

If you are not moving yourself, the normal import applies: since 1 January 2024 Switzerland no longer charges customs duty on industrial goods such as furniture, but the import tax of 8.1 % on the value is still due. Heirs resident in Switzerland import the furniture of a person who died abroad free of duties with form 18.46. Who takes care of the declaration at the border is stated in the quote.

Process and costs of the furniture transport

The typical process starts with a free survey or video consultation, in which the moving volume and individual requirements are recorded. You then receive a binding fixed price that covers all services from packing and transport to assembly on site. On moving day our teams handle the professional loading and unloading; who takes care of the customs declaration at the border is stated in the quote.

The costs depend on distance, amount of furniture and additional services such as furniture assembly or storage. Thanks to our transparent pricing model you know from the start exactly what your furniture transport to Switzerland costs – without hidden surcharges; Swiss duties are only included if the quote names them. On request we also offer flexible dates to fit your schedule.

Moving rates at a glance

A move does not have to be expensive: we move your 1-room flat from as little as €359, your 2-room flat from €609, your 3-room flat from €879 and your 4-room flat from €1,324. For houses and villas we are happy to prepare an individual quote, and we charge long-distance moves from €3.85/km. The quickest way is a free survey.

Cost factors in the move

The most important criteria for the price calculation are the volume of your household goods and the distance, which is charged at €3.85/km. The floor and lift also play a role, as does a possible parking restriction zone. Furniture assembly and a shared load can be booked as options.

Moving solutions for every need

Whether private or business – we have the right solution ready.

Furniture transport – transported gently and with pinpoint accuracy.

Company move – a smooth move for offices and practices.

Part load – the budget option for small moving volumes.

Move with assembly – your furniture professionally disassembled and set up.

Clearance – create space with our clearing service.

Home move – your move into the new flat, on schedule.

From Berlin to Switzerland

We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive from here to Switzerland, for example to Basel or Zurich. Places in Germany with their own page are listed in the locations overview, and everything about long routes under long-distance moves.

Moving Abroad

Beste Umzug Redaktion

August 16, 2026

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Moving Abroad Long-Distance Move Switzerland

Moving to Switzerland: customs, formalities and process