Countries · CH
Switzerland: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 55 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Switzerland.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
No elevated country indicator for Switzerland in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Switzerland may still be on a list.
On the sanctions lists
55 entries on the official lists name Switzerland — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 42 | 42 | — | — |
| US OFAC — Consolidated (Non-SDN) Lists | 4 | 4 | — | — |
| Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| UK Sanctions List (FCDO) | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF) | 3 | 3 | — | — |
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming Switzerland recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
Switzerland: logistics and trade
Transit and import country, pharma and high-value hub
Switzerland (CH) is a landlocked country in Central Europe and a central transit and high-value logistics hub between Northern Europe and Italy. As an EFTA member it is not part of the EU customs union: imports and exports are processed through the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) and the digital customs system Passar, complemented by a dense network of free trade agreements. Its foreign-trade profile is shaped by pharmaceuticals, chemicals, precision machinery, watches and a strong financial sector, which makes temperature-controlled air freight and high-value shipments particularly important. Freight moves across the Alpine Gotthard and Loetschberg corridors (Rhine-Alpine Corridor) by road and rail, through the cargo airports of Zurich, Geneva and EuroAirport Basel and, as a landlocked market, via the North Sea and Mediterranean ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg and Genoa, plus Rhine barge traffic up to the Swiss Rhine Ports in Basel. This combination makes Switzerland one of Europe's most reliable yet most demanding customs and transit markets.
- Capital
- Bern
- Population
- 9,124,300
- Area
- 41,285 km²
- Currency
- Swiss Franc (CHF)
- Continent
- Europe
- Region
- DACH
- Economic area
- EFTA (not EU customs union)
- Religions
- Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Judaism
- Access to the sea
- Landlocked
Transport modes Road · Rail · Air · Inland waterway
- Current situation
- No nationwide disruption verified (status 2026-07-21). Ongoing migration to Passar 2.0 import (pilot since Q2 2026, e-dec replacement as of 31.03.2027, parallel phase until 30.09.2027); ZAZ accounts are being replaced by GP-ID. Since 01.01.2026, only LSVA III applies (NETS/EETS collection, Emotach replaced).
- Seasonal conditions
- Alpine winter conditions at Gotthard, San Bernardino and other passes; summer travel traffic and renovation works on the Gotthard road tunnel may delay road transit.
Main cargo airports
- Zürich AirportZRH
Zurich Airport (ZRH/LSZH) handled 440,930 t of air cargo in 2025. Belly freight, Cargologic/Swissport/Dnata handling, Swiss customs, trucking and alternatives.
- Geneva Cointrin International AirportGVA
Geneva Airport (GVA): 94,337 t of cargo and mail in 2025 (+4%), binational airport with Swiss/French customs, watches, pharma and humanitarian relief flights.
- EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-FreiburgBSL
EuroAirport Basel (BSL/MLH/EAP, LFSB): 104,800 t cargo in 2024, 64% pharma cold chain, handler Swissport, Swiss/EU customs. Freighter hubs nearby: Zurich, Frankfurt.
Road corridors
- Basel / Weil am Rhein (DE)
- Chiasso (IT)
- St. Margrethen (AT)
- Geneva / Bardonnex (FR)
- Gotthard axis
- San Bernardino
Rail corridors
- Rhine-Alpine Corridor (Rotterdam-Genoa)
- Gotthard Base Tunnel (NEAT)
- Loetschberg-Simplon axis
Inland ports
- Swiss Rhine ports Basel (Kleinhüningen, Birsfelden, Muttenz / Auhafen)
Main trade lanes
- Germany - Switzerland
- Italy - Switzerland
- China - Switzerland
- Switzerland - USA
- Switzerland - Germany
Customs and import
Customs authority Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG)Official website ↗
- Import customs system
- Passar (BAZG, DaziT programme). Import migration to Passar 2.0: pilot since Q2 2026; e-dec Import replaced as of 31.03.2027, parallel phase until 30.09.2027. GP-ID replaces the ZAZ account from 2026.
- Export customs system
- Passar (BAZG). Export already switched to Passar, e-dec Export replaced; transit via NCTS Phase 5 in Passar since 2024.
- Import VAT
- Import VAT (MWST) collected by BAZG: standard rate 8.1 percent, reduced rate 2.6 percent (food, medicines, books), accommodation rate 3.8 percent (since 2024). De minimis: collection only from a duty amount of CHF 5; small consignments up to about CHF 62 are effectively tax-free.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- EUR.1, EUR-MED, origin declaration on the invoice, Certificate of Origin. EFTA member; free trade agreement with the EU (1972) and around 33 EFTA FTAs with 43 partners; bilateral agreements including with China, Japan, UK.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Weapons and war materiel, certain agricultural/food imports (tariff quotas), protected species (CITES), precious metals and medicinal products with special rules. Detailed checks via BAZG / Tares.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Electronic customs declaration (Passar or e-dec)
- Transport document (CMR, AWB, B/L)
- Proof of origin (EUR.1 / origin declaration) for preference
- If applicable, import permits / licences
Typical export documents
- Export declaration (Passar)
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Proof of origin (EUR.1 / EUR-MED / origin declaration)
- Transport document
- If applicable, export permit (dual-use / war materiel, SECO)
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- Medium
- Customs delays
- Low to medium
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Medium to high
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- Very high
- E-commerce relevance
- High
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Machinery
- Chemicals
- Vehicles
- Pharmaceuticals
- Electronics
Top export goods
- Pharmaceuticals
- Watches
- Machinery
- Chemicals
- Precious metals
Typical cargo
- Pharmaceuticals
- Machinery
- Chemicals
- Precision instruments / watches
- Precious metals
- Electronics
- Food
Upcoming public holidays
- Christmas DayFri, 25 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
- New Year's DayFri, 1 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
- Ascension DayThu, 6 May 2027 · businesses closed
- Swiss National DaySun, 1 Aug 2027 · businesses closed
Latest logistics news
- Low Water Levels: States Want to Extend Truck Exemptions Until December29 Oct 2026
Due to low water levels, truck exceptions are to remain in effect longer. For specific trips, the published regulations of the respective federal states apply.
- Switzerland Advances Cab Signaling Technology Further27 Oct 2026
The BAV supports further conversion to cab signaling. Implementation per route remains decisive for additional freight train capacity.
- Rhine Low Water Levels Impact Hinterland Traffic to Basel and Rotterdam-Antwerp24 Oct 2026
Low water levels on the Rhine reduce loading capacity in Duisburg-Ruhrort by approximately one-third and strain hinterland transport between Rotterdam/Antwerp and Basel/Duisburg.
- Rail Problems: Government Permits Kerosene Withdrawals from Strategic Reserves24 Oct 2026
Zurich faces a kerosene shortage. The federal government permits limited mandatory stock purchases. Air freight customers should monitor their booked flights.
- Rhine: Extended Electronic Reporting Requirement as of December21 Oct 2026
Additional Rhine vessels will be subject to electronic reporting requirements as of December 1st. Software and access credentials should be prepared beforehand.
Logistics questions
Which documents do I need for importing into Switzerland?
Commonly required are a commercial invoice, packing list, an electronic customs declaration (Passar or, during the transition, e-dec) and a transport document (CMR, AWB or B/L). For preferential treatment, a proof of origin such as EUR.1 or an origin declaration is also required.
What is the import VAT (MWST) rate in Switzerland?
The standard rate is 8.1 percent, the reduced rate 2.6 percent (including food, medicines, books) and the accommodation rate 3.8 percent. Import VAT is collected by the BAZG.
Is there a threshold for small consignments?
Customs duties and import VAT are only collected once the charge amount exceeds CHF 5. However, foreign online retailers with more than CHF 100'000 annual turnover from small consignments become liable for VAT in Switzerland.
Is Switzerland part of the EU customs union?
No. Switzerland is an EFTA member and not part of the EU customs union. Trade in goods with the EU is governed by the 1972 free trade agreement and other bilateral agreements.
Which customs system does Switzerland use?
Within the DaziT programme, the BAZG is switching to the digital Passar system. Transit and export already run via Passar; import will be migrated to Passar 2.0 in 2026, with e-dec import running in parallel during the transition.
Which ports does Switzerland use as a landlocked country?
Sea freight mainly runs via Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg and Genoa. For inland waterway transport, the Swiss Rhine ports in Basel are used.
Which airports are relevant for air freight?
The main cargo airports are Zurich (ZRH), Geneva (GVA) and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL), especially for pharma and high-value goods.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 21 Jul 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.