Real import orders and sample import projects
In brief: Four real orders and five sample projects.
Google reviews
As of October 2026
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Roger Bührer
«Das ist Dienstleistung pur. Auch bei nicht alltäglichen Aufgaben stets die Lösung gefunden und zielorientiert kommuniziert. Besten Dank.»
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Patrick Weberin French
«Très professionnel, très réactif. A recommander et je n'hésiterai pas à faire à nouveau appel à eux.»
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Miriam
«Habe mein Auto über Finsler Customs erhalten und war mit dem Prozess sehr zufrieden. Der Ablauf war sehr schnell und ich konnte mein Auto dadurch wesentlich günstiger erhalten als in der Schweiz. Vielen Dank, gerne wieder :)»
Google reviews, quoted word for word in the original language (German or French).
Real orders
Four orders from August and September 2026, one still in progress. Selling and import prices come from the order files.
Customer from the canton of Schwyz · September 2026
BMW X5 M60i xDrive, 2025
At a fixed price: collection on a trailer, customs clearance, MFK and registration in the canton of Schwyz, delivery with number plates.
- Selling price in Germany
- EUR81,042
- Swiss reference price
- CHF98,900
- Import price
- CHF89,780
- Saving
- CHF9,120
Amounts rounded. Selling price: net, about CHF 76,210 at the ECB rate on the contract date. Reference price: comparable listing on AutoScout24.ch, 2 Oct 2026 (first reg. 12/2024, 17,775 km). Import price: registered, fee on special terms.
Starting point
The customer had found the X5 and bought it used from an authorised BMW dealer in Germany, net, on an export invoice. It was deregistered in Germany, so it had to travel on a trailer. The brief was everything through to the door at a fixed price, with Schwyz number plates.
Timeline
- Order placed23 Sep 2026
- Collection29 Sep 2026
- Delivery1 Oct 2026
Points to note
- Eight days passed from the order to the handover, and two from customs clearance to the Schwyz number plate.
- A tight fit on the trailer: the X5 is 2,004 mm wide and the loading platform measures 201.5 cm. At 2,548 kg it stayed below the permitted payload of 2,650 kg.
- Bought net: the export invoice came without German VAT, so nobody had to advance anything. The seller needs the customs exit confirmation, otherwise the 19 % is charged afterwards.
- No CO₂ penalty: at import, the first registration was more than twelve months in the past.
- The factory-fitted tow bar was checked at the MFK at no extra charge.
Customer registering in the canton of Valais · in progress since September 2026
Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 d 4MATIC, 2025
Purchase from the dealer, collection and transport, customs clearance including charges, MFK test and registration application in the canton of Valais, delivery.
- Selling price in Germany
- EUR79,580
- Swiss reference price
- CHF104,990
- Import price
- CHF90,850
- Saving
- CHF14,140
Amounts rounded. Selling price: net, about CHF 75,430 at the ECB rate on the contract date. Reference price: cheapest comparable listing on AutoScout24.ch, 2 Oct 2026 (first reg. 08/2025, 4,000 km). Import price: as invoiced, incl. registration and delivery.
Starting point
The brief was a young GLS 450 d from Germany, registered in the canton of Valais. We handled the purchase from the dealer in Germany. The customer received a single invoice from us for the full amount and paid it in advance.
Timeline
- Order placed28 Sep 2026
- Collection13 Oct 2026
- Delivery15 Oct 2026planned
As of 14 October 2026.
Points to note
- The customer has neither their main residence in Switzerland nor Swiss citizenship. We are getting the car registered in the canton of Valais all the same.
Customer from the canton of Zurich · September 2026
Volvo 240 estate, built 1993
Collection, transport on a trailer, customs clearance, emissions certification, inspection at the road traffic office with veteran-vehicle approval, registration and delivery.
- Selling price in Germany
- EUR5,500
- Import price
- CHF9,900
- Collector's car
Amounts rounded. Selling price: private sale, about CHF 5,170 at the ECB rate on the contract date. Import price: according to the documents, incl. inspection and registration.
Starting point
The customer had found the estate and bought it privately in Germany for EUR 5,500. It was to come to Switzerland on a trailer rather than under its own power, and to be registered here as a veteran vehicle.
Timeline
- Order placed2 Sep 2026
- Collection9 Sep 2026
- Garage23 Sep 2026
- Delivery30 Sep 2026
Points to note
- The road traffic office required Swiss proof of exhaust and noise emissions and an emissions service at a Swiss garage. Together this cost about CHF 2,140.
«Das ist Dienstleistung pur. Auch bei nicht alltäglichen Aufgaben stets die Lösung gefunden und zielorientiert kommuniziert. Besten Dank.»
Customer from the canton of Zurich · August 2026
Suzuki Carry panel van, built 1987
Collection, export, customs clearance and delivery. The MFK test and registration were not part of the order.
- Selling price in Germany
- EUR9,200
- Import price
- CHF11,100
- Collector's car
Amounts rounded. Selling price: margin scheme, about CHF 8,600 at the ECB rate on the contract date. Import price: duty paid, excluding MFK and registration.
Starting point
The van had already been bought, directly from a dealer in Germany. It had last been registered abroad and no longer had number plates when it was bought. Its papers came from two EU countries, and there is no COC for a vehicle of this age. What was needed was someone to collect it, export it from Germany, clear it through Swiss customs and bring it to the door. The customer planned to handle the MFK test and registration themselves.
Timeline
- Order placed25 Aug 2026
- Collection8 Sep 2026
- Delivery8 Sep 2026
Points to note
- Officially the Carry is a light commercial vehicle and was classified as one. The 4 % automobile tax still applied because it weighs less than 1,600 kg. Switzerland grants no reduction on import charges for classic vehicles.
- No COC: for the import this made no difference. For registration an individual inspection is enough, and a German data sheet and a classic-car report were available.
- The customs declaration asked about the air-conditioning refrigerant. The Carry has no air conditioning, so there is no refrigerant either.
«Von Anfang bis Ende eine sehr angenehme Erfahrung. Alles wurde unkompliziert organisiert, Fragen schnell beantwortet und die Abwicklung lief problemlos. Vielen Dank an Frau Finsler für den tollen Service!»
Selling prices in euros are converted into francs at the ECB reference rate on the day of the purchase contract. A saving is only shown where a comparable Swiss listing backs it up.
Sample projects
The five sample projects below, from compact cars to premium SUVs, use real vehicle and price data to show how an import runs. They are worked examples, not customer cases: the starting position, the customs clearance and the result, including the saving against comparable offers on the Swiss market.
The sample projects at a glance
| Vehicle | Import price in CHF | Saving in CHF |
|---|---|---|
| BMW iX1 20 eDrive M Sport (04/2025) | 40,527.66 | 3,770 |
| Audi Q4 e-tron 45 S line (01/2026) | 47,371.18 | 5,547 |
| Volvo XC60 T6 AWD Plus Dark (04/2025) | 41,068.29 | 8,134 |
| Škoda Kodiaq 1.5 TSI Drive (new car) | 38,333.00 | 5,327 |
| Seat Leon 1.0 TSI Style (05/2024) | 16,199.00 | 3,501 |
Worked sample projects with real vehicle and price data, not customer cases. Import price with the car registered and ready to drive, saving against the cheapest comparable Swiss offer. The details of each follow below.
BMW iX1 20 eDrive M Sport – an electric SUV without the wait
- Selling price in Germany
- EUR42,170
- Swiss reference price
- CHF44,298
- Import price
- CHF40,527.66
- Saving
- CHF3,770
Selling price: gross, including 19 % German VAT. Reference price: the cheapest online offer in Switzerland for a vehicle with comparable attributes.
A nearly new iX1 (04/2025, 7,950 km, 204 hp) in M Sport trim with Parking Plus and head-up display – a configuration that in Switzerland only comes with a long wait. Standard clearance with import VAT and automobile tax; the COC (the European certificate of conformity) is on hand. Import price CHF 40,527.66, saving CHF 3,770 against the cheapest comparable Swiss offer.
Audi Q4 e-tron 45 S line – premium electric, no waiting list
- Selling price in Germany
- EUR50,992
- Swiss reference price
- CHF52,918
- Import price
- CHF47,371.18
- Saving
- CHF5,547
Selling price: gross, including 19 % German VAT. Reference price: the cheapest online offer in Switzerland for a vehicle with comparable attributes.
A current Q4 e-tron (01/2026, 10,000 km, 286 hp) with 360° camera, SONOS and adaptive cruise control (ACC). Standard clearance as an electric vehicle, Form 13.20 A (the inspection report issued at customs clearance), registration in the owner's canton of residence. Import price CHF 47,371.18, saving CHF 5,547.
Volvo XC60 T6 AWD Plus Dark – plug-in hybrid
- Selling price in Germany
- EUR44,980
- Swiss reference price
- CHF49,202
- Import price
- CHF41,068.29
- Saving
- CHF8,134
Selling price: gross, including 19 % German VAT. Reference price: the cheapest online offer in Switzerland for a vehicle with comparable attributes.
A generously equipped plug-in hybrid (04/2025, 31,960 km, 253 hp) with panoramic roof, head-up display and Harman/Kardon sound. Clearance including import VAT and automobile tax, with a complete paper trail. Import price CHF 41,068.29, saving CHF 8,134 – the biggest saving in this selection.
Škoda Kodiaq 1.5 TSI Drive – a new car below list price
- Selling price in Germany
- —
- Swiss reference price
- CHF43,660
- Import price
- CHF38,333.00
- Saving
- CHF5,327
Reference price: the cheapest online offer in Switzerland for a vehicle with comparable attributes.
A factory-new SUV with automatic transmission and the COC supplied by the manufacturer. Standard clearance as a new vehicle – without the long Swiss delivery times. Import price CHF 38,333.00, saving CHF 5,327.
Seat Leon 1.0 TSI Style – importing pays off in the compact class too
- Selling price in Germany
- —
- Swiss reference price
- CHF19,700
- Import price
- CHF16,199.00
- Saving
- CHF3,501
Reference price: the cheapest online offer in Switzerland for a vehicle with comparable attributes.
A young compact car (05/2024, 23,473 km) with CarPlay, LED lighting and adaptive cruise control, on a tight budget. Import price CHF 16,199.00, saving CHF 3,501 against the cheapest comparable Swiss offer.
Why customers choose Finsler Customs
- Our offices are in Thayngen in the canton of Schaffhausen, about a kilometre from the customs office – clearance without detours, usually on the same day
- The Swiss final price, with every item, is in the quote before you instruct us
- With Premium, through to the MFK (Motorfahrzeugkontrolle, the Swiss roadworthiness inspection) and registration in your home canton, every document included
Please note: the five sample projects are worked calculations with real vehicle and price data, not customer cases. The four orders in the first part of the page are real. Whether an import adds up for the model you have in mind is something the car import calculator or the guide Is importing a car worth it? will tell you.
Frequently asked questions
How much do you really save importing a car from Germany?
Across the five fully costed sample projects, the saving lies between CHF 3,501 and CHF 8,134 compared with the cheapest comparable Swiss offer. In percentage terms it tends to be larger on higher-priced vehicles, because the fixed incidental costs stay the same. Among the real orders, the saving is documented for the Mercedes GLS: about CHF 14,140 against the cheapest comparable Swiss listing (as of October 2026, according to the invoice; the order is still in progress). For the BMW X5 it comes to about CHF 9,120 against a comparable Swiss listing (as of October 2026). For the Volvo 240 and the Suzuki Carry it could not be backed up with comparable Swiss offers.
Are the references real projects?
Partly. The four orders in the first part are real, one is still in progress; two of them carry the customer's Google review. Dates, selling and import prices come from the order files, the reference prices from Swiss listings. The five sample projects below them are worked examples with real vehicle and price data, not customer cases.
Which vehicles are especially worth importing?
In the sample projects the largest savings come from premium models: the Volvo XC60 at CHF 8,134, the Audi Q4 e-tron at CHF 5,547. Electric vehicles have a further advantage, because a CO₂ penalty never applies to them.
Figures and deadlines at a glance
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Real orders on this page | 4 (placed in August and September 2026, one still in progress) |
| Sample projects costed in full | 5 |
| Range of import prices (sample projects) | CHF 16,199 to CHF 47,371 |
| Range of savings (sample projects) | CHF 3,501 to CHF 8,134 |
| Largest saving in the sample projects | CHF 8,134, Volvo XC60 |
| Documented saving, real order: Mercedes GLS 450 d | about CHF 14,140 against the cheapest comparable listing (as of 2 October 2026) |
| Saving, real order: BMW X5 | about CHF 9,120 against a comparable listing (as of 2 October 2026) |
| Automobile tax / import VAT | 4 % / 8.1 % |
| CO₂ penalty on electric vehicles | CHF 0 |
Sources and legal basis
The information on this page rests on the official publications listed below. What counts in every case is the wording of the legislation in force.
- Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) – importing vehicles into Switzerland
- FOCBS – customs declaration and taxes on vehicle imports
- Automobile Tax Act (AStG, SR 641.51) (German text)
- Value Added Tax Act (MWSTG, SR 641.20)
Company
Services
- All services
- Vehicle import DE→CH
- Customs clearance
- Vehicle sourcing
- Document service
- Import advice
- Vehicle detailing
Calculators and tools
- Import calculator
- Swiss customs fees
- CO₂ calculator
- CO₂ penalty
- Transport calculator
- Car transport to CH
- Check the Stammnummer
- FlexiMoto.ch
Location
Import by country of origin
- Importing a car from Germany into Switzerland
- Importing a car from Austria into Switzerland
- Import a car from France into Switzerland
- Import a car from Italy to Switzerland
- Import a car from the Netherlands into Switzerland
- Import a car from Belgium to Switzerland
- Importing a car from Luxembourg into Switzerland
- Importing a car from Czechia into Switzerland
- Importing a car from Poland into Switzerland
- Import a car from Sweden into Switzerland
- Import a car from Norway to Switzerland
Import by vehicle type
- Importing a passenger car into Switzerland
- Importing a motorcycle into Switzerland
- Importing a van up to 3.5 t into Switzerland
- Importing a motorhome into Switzerland
- Importing a caravan into Switzerland