Moving from Germany to Switzerland: Planning, Customs and Process

When belongings may qualify as household effects

The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security identifies transfer of residence as the central condition. Goods generally need to have been personally used abroad for at least six months and be intended for continued personal use in Switzerland.

Newer items, restricted goods and commercial equipment may need separate assessment and declaration.

• ✓Provide evidence of the transfer of residence
• ✓Check prior use of important items
• ✓Declare later consignments at first import
• ✓List restricted goods separately
• ✓Retain receipts for newer purchases

Form 18.44 and supporting documents

The FOCBS requires a completed and signed Form 18.44 for household effects. Supporting evidence depends on individual circumstances and the form’s current requirements.

Prepare an inventory, identity and residence documents and vehicle papers where applicable. EU citizens and third-country nationals may need different proof of residence status.

• ✓Completed Form 18.44
• ✓Inventory and later-consignment list
• ✓Identity and residence documents
• ✓Tenancy, purchase or employment evidence where required
• ✓Vehicle registration documents

Preparing the inventory

Ordinary goods can be grouped, for example boxes of books, clothing or dishes. Furniture, large appliances, valuables and restricted goods should be described more precisely.

Goods that do not qualify for relief should be separated with values. Numbered boxes support both customs clarity and delivery checks.

• ✓Group ordinary household goods
• ✓Identify furniture and large appliances
• ✓Detail alcohol and other restricted goods
• ✓Separate goods to be cleared with charges
• ✓Identify later consignments

Choosing the border crossing and time

Household effects are treated as commercial goods for clearance. Use an office that handles this service during commercial-goods hours and follow the import or lorry lane indicated by the authority.

Opening hours vary and can change. Check the official office directory shortly before the move and plan the route around confirmed service times.

• ✓Select an appropriate customs office
• ✓Check import and export service hours
• ✓Keep documents immediately accessible
• ✓Allow access to vehicle and load
• ✓Include clearance time in the schedule

Alcohol, plants and special goods

Alcohol and other restricted goods must be listed in detail. Form 18.44 contains specific allowances; consult its current version rather than relying on an old checklist.

Plants, protected species materials, weapons, food and regulated goods may involve additional rules or permits. Household ownership alone does not remove these requirements.

• ✓Review special goods before packing
• ✓Keep them separate and transparent
• ✓Check current official import rules
• ✓Obtain permits before transport
• ✓Leave unresolved or prohibited goods behind

Vehicles and pets

A personal vehicle must be declared at its first border crossing connected with the move. Prior use can affect relief. The customs office issues evidence used for later cantonal registration.

For dogs, cats and ferrets travelling from the EU, the FSVO generally identifies microchip, valid rabies vaccination and a recognised pet passport. Species, number, age and circumstances can alter requirements; use the official travel checker.

• ✓Include the vehicle in the declaration
• ✓Carry original vehicle papers
• ✓Check cantonal registration
• ✓Verify chip, vaccination and pet passport
• ✓Transport animals safely away from household goods

Registration and insurance after arrival

According to the State Secretariat for Migration, EU/EFTA citizens generally register with their commune within 14 days of arrival and before starting work. Other nationalities follow different procedures.

People taking up residence generally have three months to obtain Swiss health insurance, subject to exceptions from international social-security coordination. Confirm commune, insurance, vehicle and animal steps individually.

• ✓Register with the commune
• ✓Confirm residence requirements
• ✓Check health-insurance obligations
• ✓Coordinate vehicle registration
• ✓Keep customs records

Common planning mistakes

Typical problems include using an unsuitable crossing, arriving outside commercial hours, incomplete inventories and undeclared later consignments. Vehicles must not simply follow later without being included correctly.

Recheck official information shortly before moving. Customs, entry, animal and vehicle rules can change, and only the competent authorities provide binding decisions.

Compact document checklist

The exact file depends on the person, goods and basis of residence. Form 18.44 and the competent customs office determine which evidence is required in the individual case.

Food, medicines, cultural property and protected species

Food, plants and products of animal origin may be subject to health, plant-health or species-protection rules. Protected animals, plants and derived objects may require CITES documentation. Use current FSVO and other competent authority guidance.

Keep personally required medicines in original packaging with any necessary medical documentation. Quantity, active substance and controlled preparations may trigger different requirements; consult the authority before travel where uncertain.

Cultural property and weapons are not ordinary household goods. Origin, export, import and permits must be checked before transport. This guide does not provide a general clearance for them.

• ✓identify the goods category before packing
• ✓retain packaging and evidence
• ✓check CITES or other permits early
• ✓do not load unresolved goods
• ✓retain any authority decision

From customs evidence to vehicle registration

After correct customs clearance of a road vehicle, the office issues inspection report Form 13.20 A as customs evidence for the cantonal road traffic office. It does not replace that office’s technical and administrative requirements.

Confirm deadlines, inspections, insurance evidence and registration plates with the competent canton. Retain customs records and original vehicle documents.

Schools, children and everyday services

Schools and childcare are organised at cantonal or municipal level. Contact the destination commune or school early and provide the documents they request.

Banking, telephone, energy and internet are not customs matters. Confirm availability, identity requirements and start dates directly with the provider, without assuming acceptance while residence status remains unresolved.

• ✓identify the destination commune and school
• ✓request school and childcare requirements
• ✓coordinate utilities with the move-in date
• ✓retain contact during the transition
• ✓do not assume admission or contract approval

Process from preparation to follow-up

A sound process begins with personal eligibility and goods checks, followed by the inventory, forms and customs-office selection. Route and transport date can then be coordinated.

After clearance, commune registration, residence procedure, health insurance, vehicle and any animal registration continue with their respective authorities.