Businesses and people in Switzerland are increasingly looking for a Canadian Address to receive their online orders for shipping to Switzerland. Parcel trade between Canada and Switzerland will continue to grow with the European Free Trade Association/ EFTA and e-commerce technologies
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In this post, we review the following things to consider when shipping between Canada and Switzerland.
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CANADA RECEIVING ADDRESS ONLINE SHIPPING TO SWITZERLAND
Jet Worldwide provides a receiving address for goods ordered online in Switzerland. Swiss consumers can order from Canadian Amazon, e-bay, and Canadian retailers and have the orders shipped to Jet. Jet can store the orders to consolidate and save shipping costs and then ship via low cost economy express or Canada Post to Switzerland.
Information on Sending Parcels to Switzerland from Canada
SWISS CUSTOMS, DUTIES AND TAXES
Here is some useful information we provide to help those wishing to send a parcel to Switzerland. Note: Customs processes are subject to change and the information below are for general information only. It is important to check with the consignee in Switzerland to confirm your shipment is in regulatory compliance.
Customs duties are based on the type, material, characteristics, use, and weight of the goods. They are calculated in accordance with the assessment basis (as a rule, gross weight at the time of customs declaration). The actual gross weight (including transport packaging) may differ significantly from the weight indicated on a delivery note.
Apart from any import duty, goods are subject to value added tax (VAT).
Value added tax amounts to 7,7% of the assessment basis. A reduced rate of 2.5% applies for certain goods (such as, books and magazines).
Having the proper paperwork is important when sending your parcel to Switzerland. Parcels can be subject to additional fees if it cannot clear customs due to missing, unreliable or incomplete customs documents. Fees for storage can be assessed for parcels that are held until the missing information is received or until the recipient or customs authorities take the decision concerning customs clearance.
Duty and Value Added Tax for shipments sent from Canada
As a rule, every parcel being imported to Switzerland is subject to customs duty and VAT.
Customs duties and value added tax are not charged if the amount calculated is less than CHF 5.00 per customs declaration, whereby customs and VAT charges are considered separately.
Can Gifts sent from Canada be imported Duty Free to Switzerland?
In general goods sent from Canada to Switzerland via courier valued less than CHF 50 (around $60 CAD) can be cleared duty free.
Gifts sent from private individuals living abroad to private individuals in Switzerland are duty-free up to a goods value of CHF 100.00.
Notes on sending gifts to Switzerland from Canada:
Valuation of Goods by Swiss Customs for Imported Parcels coming from Canada:
It is important to note that, when assessing value, Swiss Customs considers the transport cost as part of the good’s value.
Low value parcels imported to Switzerland
The upper limit of the goods value (incl. transport costs) for an import exempt from VAT is:
Shipping parcels from Canada containing items to being repaired in Switzerland
For goods that have been repaired abroad and are returning to Switzerland, VAT is only charged on the new material and the labour costs. However, these two elements must be clearly stated on the commercial invoice.
Canada Post "packet" services provide low cost shipping options for Canadians shipping small parcels from Canada to Switzerland. Shipments sent via Canada Post are imported and delivered in Switzerland by Swiss Post.
Canada Post Delivery Shipping Services to Switzerland Include:
For shipping Canadian parcel post "packet" to Switzerland
For shipping larger Canadian parcel post packages and pallets to Switzerland
FedEx and UPS are North America's dominant couriers and offer - along with DHL - reliable express delivery from Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Quebec City, and Toronto to Geneva, Zurich and throughout Switzerland.
FedEx and UPS Canada Services to Switzerland Include:
Shipping from Switzerland via Purolator Canada
Purolator Courier is a leading domestic carrier in Canada and offer international express delivery via partners - including UPS Canada.
SWISS CUSTOMS AND EFTA SHIIPPING CANADA ORIGIN GOODS
The common carrier options for shipping to Canada from Switzerland include Swiss Post (preferred method for individuals shipping small parcels and personal items), DHL JET and North America's mega carriers FedEx and UPS.
FedEx and UPS options for shipping Canada from Switzerland include international priority air and economy deferred services. See section below regarding information required for a shipping quote.
Parcels imported from Switzerland to Canada are subject to Canadian duty and taxes. Most parcels valued under $20 CAD can be imported free of duty and taxes. Parcels valued under $3.300 CAD from The UK can be imported via Canadian customs low value shipment / LVS express clearance processes.
Disbursement Fee: When duty and taxes are assessed, carriers charge a fee for prepayment of such fees prior to final delivery. This fee averages between 2-3% of the fees paid on behalf of the consignee with a minimum fee between CA$10-$20.
Swiss orIgIn goods shipped Imported TO Canada
Low value shipments of Swiss origin shipped via parcel carriers can more easily benefit from duty free entry to Canada.
Proof of origin requirements under Canada's free trade agreements
The value for duty amount for all of Canada's free trade agreements (including from Switzerland via EFTA Canada FTA) for which the proof of origin / certificate of origin is waived was changed to $3,300 CAD in July 2020. This change was made to harmonize the regulations with the new NAFTA/ CUSMA.
For imports not exceeding $3,300 to Canada, the requirement for proof of origin is waived. The requirement on the importer to maintain records (for example, commercial invoice and B3) applies even if the CBSA does not require a certification of origin or if a requirement for a certification of origin has been waived.
Shipping personal effects To Switzerland from Canada:
For Personal effects to Switzerland For personal effects, all the goods have to be mentioned on the invoice in detail with the individual values along with a written confirmation from consignee, that the goods are used and are older than 6 months.. Items must be used.
Shipping of excess baggage to Switzerland: Generally, it is simpler and easier to ship your personal effects as excess baggage when you travel. Carrier excess baggage fees for a couple of bags is most often less expensive than shipping separately without having to manage the entry requirements (discussed above).
Shipping a box or several boxes: This can ship via air freight but often too costly.
Shipping a household/ container level: For shipping a full household, it is best to contact a moving specialists to arrange for packing and ocean transport.
Jet Worldwide has shipping solutions for e-commerce retailers and platforms. For updates on the latest international shipping solutions for Canadian online orders, connect with Jet Worldwide’s e-commerce team.
Jet Worldwide gives access to all companies seeking shipping quotes between Switzerland and Canada for parcels pallets, and online orders.