Import a car from Italy to Switzerland
Why Italy?
Italy is the market for sports and enthusiast cars, and from the north the routes to Switzerland are short. Italian VAT is 22 % — the highest rate among the neighbouring countries, and the biggest refund when the sale is under the standard VAT scheme.
Without a radiazione per esportazione, the Italian tax keeps running
For export, an Italian vehicle must be deregistered from the public vehicle register PRA (Pubblico Registro Automobilistico) — the radiazione per esportazione. If this is missed, the vehicle stays registered in Italy and the annual road tax (bollo auto) keeps running against the previous keeper. Usually it is the seller who notices, months later. For you that means: the deregistration belongs in the purchase contract, with a deadline. We require proof of it before the vehicle goes on the transporter.
What you get back
You reclaim the 22 % VAT from the seller after export, provided the sale was under the standard VAT scheme and the export correctly declared. We prepare the export documents the seller needs.
What the Swiss side costs
The Swiss charges are the same for every country of origin. Import duty has not applied since 1 January 2024 — with the abolition of industrial tariffs the customs rate for vehicles is CHF 0.00, whatever the origin. No preferential proof of origin (EUR.1) is needed. The customs declaration stays mandatory.
| Charge | Rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Automobile tax | 4 % | vehicle value plus costs to the border |
| Import VAT | 8.1 % | as above, plus the automobile tax |
| CO2 penalty | CHF 95 per gram | only for vehicles new under customs law |
| Import duty | CHF 0.00 | since 1 January 2024 |
The 4 % automobile tax does not hit every vehicle: motorcycles and caravans are not named in the Automobile Tax Act, and neither is a van over 1,600 kg unladen weight. With a motorhome, the CO2 penalty falls away.
What to check when buying
On older cars and classics, check corrosion — southern Italy is dry, winter in the Po Valley is not. Without a solid invoice, or on a private sale, a valuation report keeps the customs value unchallenged.
Transport and process
We organise transport from Italy on request. From Lombardy and Piedmont the routes are short; from the south it takes longer and costs more. The process is the same in every country: you choose the vehicle, we get the documents, handle the export, collect the car, clear it at the Thayngen customs office and see you through MFK and registration in your canton. Allow two to four weeks.
What it costs
You work out the final price for your car in the import calculator — origin, vehicle type, all charges, transport from your pick-up point. No sign-up, no email address. The individual items are explained in Calculating import costs; three fully worked cases are under Cost examples.