From Berlin to Schwyz: 874 km two driving days, one customs stop

As Switzerland is not part of the EU, your household goods are cleared at the border on a move to Schwyz. They are duty-free as removal goods (Übersiedlungsgut) if you move your residence to Switzerland and have used the items personally for at least six months. You must present Form 18.44, signed by you, and an inventory list. We draw up the list together with you while packing and schedule the border crossing for a working day.

After arrival in the canton of Schwyz, you register within 14 days with the residents' office of the municipality. People moving from EU and EFTA states do not need an assurance of a residence permit for customs clearance; the change of residence is proven, for example, by an employment contract, tenancy agreement or deregistration certificate. That way your move to Switzerland holds no surprises.

Schwyz, capital of the canton of the same name, lies beneath the two Mythen peaks. From Berlin it is 874 road kilometres: A9 to Nuremberg, A6 and A7 south, A96 to Lindau, briefly through Vorarlberg, then via the Swiss A13 and A3 along the Walensee to Pfäffikon and on main road 8 (Hauptstrasse 8) over the Sattel. For a lorry that is a good eleven hours of pure driving time – more than the permitted daily driving time, so two driving days.

The typical sequence of a long-distance move to Schwyz: survey and quote, packing with inventory list, loading in Berlin, overnight stop on the way, customs clearance and unloading with furniture assembly. We clarify with the municipality in advance where the vehicle can stop in the village centre. This lets us quote you a fixed price with a realistic delivery day.

• Small 1-room flat: from just €369
• Cosy 2-room flat: from €584
• Spacious 3-room flat: from €899
• Large 4-room flat: from €1,279
• House or villa: individual quote by arrangement
• Long-distance move: from €3.85/km

Get no-obligation advice – arrange a free survey.

Volume, distance and floor are the three key factors in the price calculation. We charge the route from €3.85/km, while a lift and a parking restriction zone are additional variables. Furniture assembly or part load can also be booked flexibly.

We are your partner for everything to do with moving – reliable and fair.

1. Private move: professional help with your private move to a new home. Private move
2. House clearance: professional clearance before your move. House clearance
3. Business move: your company moves safely with us. Business move
4. Furniture transport: we transport your furniture carefully and safely. Furniture transport
5. Move with assembly: complete service including furniture assembly. Move with assembly
6. Part load: low-cost transport through shared journeys. Part load

We are based in Berlin and carry out long-distance moves nationwide and abroad – to Schwyz as well as from Schwyz back to Berlin. Our page Move from Berlin to Schwyz gives an overview of kilometres, driving time and customs; further destinations can be found in the locations overview.

Switzerland is not part of the EU, so your household goods are cleared by customs on entry. The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) names the transfer of your residence to Switzerland as the most important condition for duty-free import. You must have used the items personally for at least six months and continue to use them after import.

• You need Form 18.44, completed and signed, and present it to the customs office at the point of entry.
• According to the BAZG, advance notification is not necessary; clearance takes place at a customs office for commercial goods during office hours, generally only Monday to Friday.
• The lorry uses the lorry lane for commercial goods.
• The inventory list may be on ordinary paper, with overall information such as the number of boxes per category of goods. Furniture, valuables and larger appliances are listed individually.
• EU and EFTA citizens prove the change of residence with an employment contract, tenancy agreement or deregistration certificate, for example.

The BAZG offers a pre-check of the file at least two working days before the border crossing only at three customs offices in Ticino. Removal goods should be imported in connection with the change of residence in terms of timing; the BAZG sees no problem within two years. More background can be found in the guide Moving to Switzerland: customs and formalities.

Separate rules apply to the removal lorry in Switzerland. According to the BAZG, vehicles over 3.5 tonnes pay the heavy vehicle charge (LSVA) on all roads, while vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes need the vignette on motorways. Heavy vehicles are subject to a night driving ban from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. as well as a Sunday and public holiday driving ban. In addition, the load weight entered in the vehicle registration document is decisive: if overloaded, customs offices can refuse onward travel. We plan arrival time and loading accordingly.

Locally, the municipality of Schwyz is your point of contact. According to gemeindeschwyz.ch, the administration is located at Herrengasse 17 (telephone 041 819 07 00) and is open Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 11.30 a.m. and from 1.30 to 4.30 p.m., on Thursdays until 6 p.m. Under permits, the municipality lists the area Verkehr (traffic); for traffic questions it names the civil engineering department (Tiefbau) at Herrengasse 23 (telephone 041 819 07 60). Ask there early whether signage (Signalisation) is needed for the removal van in your street, as the municipality does not give specific deadlines and fees online.

Old furniture that is not coming with you? According to gemeindeschwyz.ch, the municipality collects bulky waste (Sperrgut) and large bulky waste. We transport your belongings as an international move; for budget and planning, read Moving to Switzerland: costs and planning.