Part of our Moving to Europe, Australia & New Zealand guide
Moving to Switzerland from the USA (2026 Guide)
Customs relief, documents, ports and delivery for shipping household goods from the United States to Switzerland.
Short answer
Switzerland is not in the EU customs union, so it has its own relief: household effects enter duty-free when you transfer your domicile to Switzerland and you personally used the goods for at least 6 months and keep using them. You declare them to the Swiss customs office (BAZG) on Form 18.44 with an inventory. U.S. containers usually land at a North Sea port such as Rotterdam, Antwerp or Hamburg and continue by rail, barge or truck.
Duty-free import rules for Switzerland
- You transfer your domicile (main residence) to Switzerland.
- You personally used the goods for at least 6 months before the move.
- You keep using the goods yourself after import.
- Declare the goods on Form 18.44 (declaration for household effects) with a signed inventory.
- Vehicles, pets and collections follow the same household-effects rules, with extra paperwork.
Official source: BAZG: moving (household effects).
Confirm a mover's FMC license and any association claim in associations and licensing, and read reviews with where to research international mover reviews. More official customs offices are listed on those pages and in the customs guide.
Ports and delivery
Switzerland is landlocked; containers usually arrive via Rotterdam, Antwerp or Hamburg and finish by rail, Rhine barge or truck, often through Basel. Your mover's destination agent clears customs and delivers to your new home. Common delivery cities include Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne.
Good to know
EU transfer-of-residence rules do not apply in Switzerland. A car imported as household effects still needs a vehicle inspection and registration with the cantonal road traffic office.
Getting quotes for Switzerland
Ask every mover to price the same surveyed volume door to door, and check each line against our quote checklist. Pick a method in shipping methods, and check restricted items before you pack.
City-to-city routes to Switzerland
Licensed movers for Switzerland
Compare the licensed movers we work with on our 2026 rankings: Sunset International Shipping, Shepherd International Movers, Schmidt International Relocations, My International Movers.
General information, not legal or immigration advice. Confirm current rules with the official customs office before you ship.
Frequently asked questions
What form do I need for household goods moving to Switzerland?
Form 18.44, the declaration for household effects, plus a signed inventory. See the BAZG relocation procedure page.
How long must I have used my goods to import them duty-free into Switzerland?
At least 6 months, and you must keep using them after the move.
Which port does a U.S. shipment to Switzerland use?
None in Switzerland itself. Containers usually land at Rotterdam, Antwerp or Hamburg and travel on by rail, barge or truck.
How long does it take to ship household goods to Switzerland?
It depends on the U.S. departure port, the sailing schedule, transshipments, and whether you use a full or shared container. Ask each mover for the port-to-port transit time and the door-to-door estimate in writing.
Which movers can ship my belongings to Switzerland?
Sunset International Shipping, Shepherd International Movers, Schmidt International Relocations and My International Movers — the four licensed movers we work with — handle international household moves. Request free quotes from the four we work with with one form.
Get free quotes from licensed movers
One short form for International Moving Company. Pick items from the inventory list or upload a quick video walkthrough. Your request is shared with Sunset International Shipping, Shepherd International Movers, Schmidt International Relocations and My International Movers so you can compare their quotes. Free, no obligation.