Import a car from France into Switzerland

By Anna Katharina Finsler, Managing Director, Finsler Customs GmbH · Last updated:

In short: Importing a car from France into Switzerland means 4 % automobile tax and 8.1 % import VAT, plus the CO₂ penalty for vehicles that count as new under customs law. Import duty has no longer applied since 1 January 2024. The 20 % French VAT comes back after export if the car was bought under standard VAT rules.

Why France?

France has one of the largest used-car markets in Europe, at a price level below the German one, above all for compact cars and French brands. French VAT is 20 %.

TVA sur la marge — the rule in France, not the exception

A striking number of used cars in France are sold under the margin scheme ("TVA sur la marge"). No VAT is then shown on the invoice, and the 20 % does not come back. Anyone who budgets with the refund in mind is quickly out by several thousand francs. Listings for standard-scheme vehicles say "TVA récupérable" or "prix HT"; if that note is missing, ask explicitly before any deposit is paid. On request we check this together with you before the purchase contract.

How much tax comes back from France?

A listing marked “TVA récupérable” at EUR 18,000 TTC (tax included) contains 20 % TVA, i.e. EUR 3,000; hors taxe, before tax, it comes to EUR 15,000. Only that share is refunded by the seller after export. If the listing says nothing about it, ask before any money changes hands: under “TVA sur la marge” the tax stays in the price even when the car leaves France.

On the Swiss side, origin makes no difference, not even for a car from France: 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 France need?

The export declaration goes to the customs office responsible for the place where the seller is established; the seller, a forwarding agent or the buyer can lodge it. It must be accompanied by the invoice and a copy of the carte grise. Used cars leave France on their existing registration; new cars get the provisional WW registration, valid for one month and renewable once.

What to look at when buying

For a sale, France requires a certificat de situation administrative, colloquially "non-gage": it proves the car is neither pledged nor blocked. Without it the export cannot be handled cleanly. Added to that are the carte grise with the deregistration entry and the purchase contract.

How far is it from France to Switzerland?

From Strasbourg to Thayngen it is 170 km, from Paris 658 km. Both routes cross into Germany at Kehl and run through the Black Forest to the Bietingen–Thayngen crossing. From Lyon (481 km), by contrast, the shortest route enters Switzerland near Geneva.

We arrange transport from France on request. Tell us the collection point and we will cost it out concretely; the Swiss charges you can work out beforehand in the calculator.

As a rule, you buy the car in France yourself. What stays with you after that and what we take on, up to the MFK roadworthiness test and registration, depends on the package (package overview). The import calculator works out the final price for a car from France.

Frequently asked questions

Do I get the 20 % French VAT back?

Only on a purchase under standard VAT rules. In France, margin taxation (“TVA sur la marge”) is especially common with used cars — in that case there is nothing to reclaim. Before you pay a deposit, ask the seller explicitly about “TVA récupérable”.

Which papers do I need from France?

The carte grise with the deregistration note for export, the purchase contract, the certificat de situation administrative (non-gage) and the COC certificate. If the COC is missing, we obtain it from the manufacturer.

Is importing from France worth it at all?

With French brands and compact cars, often yes, because the price level is lower. With premium vehicles, Germany is usually cheaper, if only because of the wider choice and the shorter transport routes.

Is import duty payable on an import from France?

No. Since industrial tariffs were abolished, the Swiss duty rate for vehicles has been CHF 0.00 since 1 January 2024 — regardless of the country of origin and with no proof of origin required. Still payable are the automobile tax, the import VAT and, on new vehicles, the CO₂ penalty. The customs declaration itself remains mandatory.

How long does an import from France take?

Allow two to four weeks from the purchase contract. From France we arrange transport on request, so collection needs a little more lead time. We normally clear customs at the Thayngen customs office on 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.

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Finsler Customs GmbH · Rebbergstrasse 6 · 8240 Thayngen · +41 77 246 76 37 · info@finsler-customs.ch · Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00

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