Long-Distance Move Berlin – Bellinzona: Route Customs, Duration
From Berlin to Ticino
Long-distance move to Bellinzona: over the Alps to Ticino
Guide
A move to Bellinzona is a move to Switzerland – and therefore across a customs border, because Switzerland is not part of the EU customs union. Your household goods remain duty-free as removal goods (Übersiedlungsgut) if you move your residence and have used the items yourself for at least six months. For this you need form 18.44, an inventory list and proof such as an employment contract or tenancy agreement. In Ticino there is an additional point: the official language is Italian. More on moves across the border can be found under international move.
We come from Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive around 931 km: via the A9, A6, A7 and A96 to Lake Constance, a short stretch through Vorarlberg and then on the A13 through the Rhine valley, past Chur and through the San Bernardino Tunnel to Bellinzona. By lorry that takes about 14 hours including breaks. We go through the inventory list with you during the survey and then give you a fixed price. The route in detail: Moving Berlin – Bellinzona.
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Survey and fixed price for your move to Ticino
Call us on 01625978461 and arrange a survey for your long-distance move to Bellinzona. We go through the inventory list for customs with you and draw up a schedule. Places with their own pages can be found under Locations.
Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.
What we take care of on your move to Ticino
Transport from Berlin, formalities together
We are a removal company from Berlin-Moabit without a branch in Switzerland and drive by lorry all the way to Bellinzona. We take care of packing, transport and assembly; we time the border crossing within the opening hours of the customs office for commercial goods. You sign form 18.44 yourself; we put together the inventory list with you. We are liable for your belongings under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre; additional insurance is available. We give you the price as a fixed price. More under long-distance moves.
Packing Service
Office Move
Senior Move
Furniture Transport
What should be done before the border
We calculate the price by volume, route and additional services and give it to you as a fixed price after the survey. That way you know what to expect before the move to Bellinzona.
Inventory list
Six months of use
Proof of residence
Deregistering in Berlin
Registration within 14 days
Health insurance within three months
Save with a part load
For smaller loads a shared load towards Switzerland can lower the cost of your long-distance move, because several consignments share the loading space. Delivery takes place within a time window; you still need the inventory list and form 18.44 yourself.
Your
move, our craft
A move to Bellinzona covers several topics: the customs declaration of the removal goods, registration at the Controllo abitanti and the residence permit. Added to this is the Centro storico with its narrow lanes, for which the city has its own information sheet on access and for which the Polizia comunale (municipal police) reserves signage. The route over the Alps – San Bernardino or Gotthard – and public holidays in Ticino also affect the date. Districts and everyday life are described in the Bellinzona moving guide.
Order of deadlines
Packing for the Alpine route
Costs across the border
Frequent questions
Customs & formalities when moving to Switzerland
Since Switzerland is not a member of the EU, your household goods are declared at customs on a move to Bellinzona. As removal goods they remain duty-free if you move your residence to Switzerland and have used the items yourself for at least six months and continue to use them. You present the completed form 18.44 and a complete inventory list, which we go through with you during the survey.
As an EU citizen you do not apply for the residence permit in advance: you register at the Controllo abitanti after arrival and before starting work, and the permit follows afterwards. Who handles clearance at the border is set out in our quote; we plan the journey so that we arrive during the customs office's opening hours.
Route, costs and special features in Bellinzona
From Berlin-Moabit it is around 931 km: via the A9, A6, A7 and A96 to Lake Constance, a short stretch through Vorarlberg, then on the A13 through the Rhine valley and the San Bernardino Tunnel into Ticino. The lorry needs about 14 hours including breaks. Alternatively the route runs via Basel and the Gotthard on the A2, which meets the A13 at Bellinzona. The costs depend on volume, floor and additional services such as furniture assembly or storage; on top of that come the route, the LSVA and border clearance.
Bellinzona is the capital of the canton of Ticino; its three castles have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Around the Centro storico the lanes are narrow, and the city has its own information sheet on access. The official language is Italian, and the city's web pages are in Italian. More on long routes under long-distance moves.
Honest prices for your move
We believe in transparency: 1-room flats from €365, 2-room flats from €609, 3-room flats from €894, 4-room flats from €1,289. If you live in a house or villa, we will prepare an individual quote for you. For long-distance moves: from €3.85/km. Arrange a free survey today.
Moving costs: these factors count
- Volume of your household goods
- Distance from €3.85/km
- Floor and lift
- Parking restriction zone at the destination
- Furniture assembly and shared load as additional options
Our competencies in moving
These types of move are what we offer – including for Bellinzona.
Company relocation: your business move in good hands. Company relocation
House clearance: we clear reliably and thoroughly. House clearance
Furniture transport: the safe way for your furniture. Furniture transport
Move with assembly: handed over fully assembled. Move with assembly
Shared load: the cost-effective moving alternative. Shared load
Private move: individual and personal support. Private move
Moves from Berlin – including to Ticino
We plan moves from Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21). Places with their own pages can be found in the locations overview, and long routes such as the one to Bellinzona under long-distance moves. We plan the return trip from Ticino to Berlin in the same way.
Bellinzona: customs assessment of removal goods with form 18.44
When moving from Germany to Switzerland, according to the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG), the change of residence is the most important condition for the duty-free import of household goods. You must have used the items personally for at least six months and continue to use them after import. As proof of the change of residence for people moving in from the EU/EFTA, the BAZG names an employment contract, a tenancy agreement or a deregistration certificate from the country of origin; they do not need an assurance of a residence permit.
On import you present the completed form 18.44 "Customs assessment of removal goods" to the customs office of entry. Assessment must take place during the opening hours of the customs offices for commercial goods; the BAZG states Monday to Friday 8.00 to 11.30 and 13.30 to 17.00.
One special feature is the pre-check: the dossier consisting of the form and accompanying documents can be sent to the customs office at least two working days before crossing the border. The BAZG only offers this at the Mendrisiotto (Stabio-Confine), Vedeggio and Chiasso-Strada offices; the border must then be crossed exactly there. These customs offices lie south of Bellinzona on the Italian border; on the route from Germany via the A13 they are not an option. The BAZG also provides a "removal goods list" for download and answers questions through its information centre on +41 58 467 15 15, Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 11.30 and 13.30 to 17.00. The overall process is described in Long-distance move to Switzerland.
Bellinzona: registration within 15 days and signage on moving day
According to the city, anyone moving to Bellinzona must report the change of residence to the Ufficio controllo abitanti (residents' office) within 15 days. This can be done with the «Notifica di arrivo» (notice of arrival) form by post or e-mail, or in person at one of the district counters. The eTrasloco online portal is only intended for moves between Swiss municipalities; for moves from abroad the conventional procedure applies. The Servizio movimento della popolazione (population services) is located at Piazzál dal Comun 1, 6702 Claro, phone 058 203 11 40, open Mondays from 9.30 to 12.00 and 13.30 to 17.30, Tuesday to Friday from 9.30 to 12.00 and 13.30 to 16.00. The city's web pages are in Italian.
For moving day, the city refers you to the Polizia comunale, Vicolo Muggiasca 1a, 6500 Bellinzona, phone 058 203 12 00. Among its tasks the city lists the reservation of signage for events, construction sites and moves as well as access to the Centro storico (old town), for which the city has a separate information sheet. The counter in Bellinzona is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8.30 to 11.30 and 14.00 to 16.45, and on Thursdays from 7.30 to 12.30 and 13.15 to 17.30. The page does not state fees or lead times; ask early. Further information: Bellinzona moving guide and Living in Bellinzona.
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