Import a car from Belgium to Switzerland
By Anna Katharina Finsler, Managing Director, Finsler Customs GmbH · Last updated:
In short: Importing a car from Belgium into Switzerland costs 4 % automobile tax and 8.1 % import VAT, plus the CO₂ penalty on vehicles that count as new under customs law. Import duty has no longer applied since 1 January 2024. The 21 % VAT is refunded after export if the car was bought under the standard VAT regime.
Why Belgium?
Belgium has a remarkably large vehicle market for its size, because many company cars reach the trade after three to four years. They are usually well equipped, with a complete service record and a clear history. VAT is 21 %.
Car-Pass — in Belgium the mileage is documented by law
Belgium is one of the few countries where a Car-Pass is mandatory for every used-car sale: an official document listing every odometer reading taken at a garage visit. Buying in Belgium therefore gives you a mileage history that does not exist in this form in Germany or France. For an imported car that is a tangible advantage — odometer tampering is the most common disappointment in a cross-border purchase. Ask for the Car-Pass before you pay a deposit; it costs the seller a few euros and is required by law anyway.
How much tax comes back from Belgium?
At 21 %, an offer of EUR 30,250 contains exactly EUR 5,250 VAT; the net price is EUR 25,000. That amount only comes back if the btw (TVA in French) is shown on the invoice. Like their Dutch neighbours, Belgian dealers distinguish between a btw-auto and a marge-auto; under the margin scheme the tax is hidden in the price and stays there.
On the Swiss side, origin makes no difference, not even for a car from Belgium: a zero duty rate, 4 % automobile tax, 8.1 % import VAT and, on cars that count as new under customs law, the CO₂ penalty. How the amounts are worked out is set out in the country comparison; motorcycles and caravans pay no automobile tax.
Which papers does export from Belgium need?
For taking a car abroad, Belgium has its own number plate, the X plate or transit plate. It is valid for 30 days. If the car is more than four years old and its periodic technical inspection has expired, it first has to go to an inspection station. The X plate is applied for from the DIV registration authority, together with insurance for the journey.
What to watch when buying
Belgian plates are tied to the person and stay with the seller; you cannot drive the car home on its existing plate. With company cars, check the mileage: four years of heavy use is not four years of private use.
How far is it from Belgium to Switzerland?
From Brussels to Thayngen it is 606 km, from Antwerp 686 km. From Brussels the shortest route runs via Luxembourg, Metz and Strasbourg and then through the Black Forest to the Bietingen–Thayngen crossing.
We drive from Belgium regularly, often in groupage transport with cars from the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
As a rule, you buy the car in Belgium yourself. What stays with you after that and what we take on, up to MFK (the Swiss roadworthiness test) and registration, depends on the package (package overview). The import calculator works out the final price for a car from Belgium.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Car-Pass and why does it matter?
It is a document required by law in Belgium listing every odometer reading taken during a garage visit. It makes odometer tampering practically impossible and is part of every used-car sale in Belgium. Ask for it before you pay a deposit.
How high is Belgian VAT?
21 %, reclaimable after a proper export declaration if the car is bought under the standard VAT regime.
Why does Belgium have so many nearly new used cars?
Because company cars are treated favourably for tax there and reach the used-car trade after three or four years. These vehicles are usually well equipped and fully documented.
Is import duty payable on a car imported from Belgium?
No. Since industrial tariffs were abolished, the Swiss duty rate for vehicles has been CHF 0.00 since 1 January 2024 — whatever the country of origin, and with no proof of origin required. What remains payable is the automobile tax, the import VAT and, on new vehicles, the CO₂ penalty. The customs declaration itself is still mandatory.
How long does an import from Belgium take?
Allow two to four weeks from the purchase contract. We drive to Belgium regularly, so collection can usually be arranged within a week. Customs clearance at the Thayngen customs office is normally done the same day.
Sources and legal basis
The statements on this page rest on the following official publications. The wording of the enactments in force is always decisive.
- FOCBS – Importing vehicles into Switzerland
- FOCBS – Customs declaration and taxes on a vehicle import
- Automobile Tax Act (AStG, SR 641.51) (German text)
- Federal Act on Value Added Tax (VAT Act, 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
- 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