Swiss Car Import Calculator
In short: the calculator works out every cost of importing a car into Switzerland — vehicle tax (4 %), Swiss VAT (8.1 %), the CO₂ penalty based on the WLTP figure, transport and the roadworthiness test. Customs duty has been zero since 1 January 2024. Enter purchase price, kerb weight and CO₂ value, and you get a realistic Swiss end price.
What the calculator covers
| Item | Rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Customs duty | CHF 0 | Industrial tariffs abolished in 2024, regardless of country of origin |
| Vehicle tax | 4 % | Purchase price plus transport to the border |
| Import VAT | 8.1 % | Customs value plus vehicle tax |
| Inspection report 13.20 A | CHF 20 | Flat fee per vehicle |
| CO₂ penalty | CHF 95 per gram | Only for cars that count as new under customs law |
German VAT of 19 % falls away when a VAT-registered dealer exports the car. It does not fall away under the margin scheme (§ 25a UStG) or when buying privately.
What you need to hand
| Detail | Where to find it | What it affects |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | Contract or listing | Basis for every charge |
| Whether VAT is stated | Dealer invoice | Decides if the German 19 % drop out |
| Kerb weight | CoC item 13, registration field G | CO₂ target value for young cars |
| CO₂ figure (WLTP) | CoC item 49, registration field V.7 | Size of the CO₂ penalty |
| First registration and mileage | Registration document | Whether the penalty applies at all |
Worked example
A VW Tiguan at €32,000 net, 1,650 kg, 152 g CO₂: the calculator arrives at roughly CHF 4,900 in import costs and sets that against the Swiss market price, including the saving. Every item is explained in the guide calculating import costs.
Where a calculator stops
Three cases need a person rather than a formula: classic car assessment, relocation goods when moving to Switzerland — where vehicle tax and import VAT fall away entirely — and cars without a CoC document, which require an individual appraisal. Talk those through in a free import consultation.