Long-distance move Berlin – Delémont (Delsberg): Route Customs

As Switzerland is not part of the EU, every move to Delémont requires a customs declaration for the household goods. You need form 18.44, an inventory list, valid ID and proof of your new residence in Switzerland. As a rule, no import tax is due on used household items, provided they have been owned and used for at least six months.

We support you in filling in form 18.44 correctly and with the declaration at the responsible Swiss customs office. For permanent residence you also need a residence permit, which you must apply for at the municipality of Delémont. Our moving company guides you through all the necessary formalities so that your long-distance move runs smoothly.

Delémont (German: Delsberg) is the capital of the canton of Jura and lies in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Anyone moving there from Germany or Austria should be prepared for everyday life in French and for a noticeably higher price level for rent and living costs. The Swiss registration system also differs from the German one, as registration with the municipality of residence is required within 14 days of moving in.

Newcomers should also take out health insurance under Swiss law early on and, if applicable, re-register their vehicle. Delémont itself scores with good connections to Basel and a manageable, family-friendly structure. With the right preparation and a reliable partner for your long-distance move, getting started in your new home is straightforward.

Take advantage of the free survey to find out your individual price.

Several factors count for a realistic cost estimate: the volume of your household goods, the distance to be covered (from €4.20/km), the floor and whether there is a lift. Sometimes a parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone) is also needed so that the transport runs smoothly. Furniture assembly and a part load also affect the final price.

We plan moves from Berlin, from our base at Stromstraße 21 in Moabit – for private customers, offices and practices. Places with their own page are in the locations overview, and everything on long routes and part loads is under long-distance moving.

When your household goods are imported into Switzerland, the procedure for household removal goods applies. According to the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG), the most important condition for duty-free import is moving your residence to Switzerland. The items must also have been in use for at least six months and must continue to be used.

• Form 18.44: you present the completed and signed “Übersiedlungsgut” (household removal goods) form to the customs office of entry.
• Proof of the move: EU/EFTA nationals do not need an assurance of a residence permit. As evidence, the BAZG mentions, for example, an employment contract, tenancy agreement or the deregistration certificate from your previous country.
• Inventory list: it may be drawn up on ordinary paper, and descriptions at box level are sufficient. Furniture, valuables, large appliances and restricted goods such as alcoholic beverages or weapons must be listed separately and in more detail. Goods that are not duty-free belong under “goods to be cleared” with their value.

According to the BAZG, customs clearance of household removal goods is generally only possible from Monday to Friday; some large customs offices also open on Saturday mornings. No advance notification is necessary – you report at the border during opening hours and use the lorry lane. If you have questions, customs information can help on +41 58 467 15 15. Further tips can be found in the guide Moving to Switzerland: customs and formalities.

In Delémont (German: Delsberg), the Contrôle des habitants (residents' registration office) in the Hôtel de Ville is responsible, Place de la Liberté 1, 2800 Delémont. According to the town, a statutory deadline of 14 days applies to all newcomers to submit their papers. The counters are open Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00, on Thursdays until 18.00 (except on the day before public holidays). Telephone: +41 32 421 91 00.

• Swiss citizens from another municipality: certificate of origin, tenancy agreement, health insurance card and a copy of the household contents insurance; with children, also the family record book.
• Foreign nationals arriving from abroad: passport or identity card plus further documents issued by the Service des étrangers. The exact list is on the town's website.
• Online: according to the town, registration is also possible via eDéménagementCH; using it is voluntary.

The town's information is written in French. Plan the translation of documents early.

On parking, the town lists over 1,900 free spaces (1,200 in the white zone, 700 in the blue zone) and over 1,600 paid spaces. Season tickets for residents of the old town are managed by the Police municipale, reachable on +41 32 421 91 40. The old town has two entrance gates; on Wednesday and Saturday mornings a market is held there. So clarify access and stopping space early. Read more about life on the ground in Living in Delémont.