Importing a car from Poland into Switzerland

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

In short: Importing a car from Poland into Switzerland means 4 % automobile tax and 8.1 % import VAT. The CO₂ penalty applies on top for vehicles that count as new under customs law. No import duty has been payable since 1 January 2024. The 23 % Polish VAT comes back after export on a purchase under the regular VAT scheme.

Why Poland?

Poland has one of Europe's largest used-car markets and the lowest price level of all the countries listed here. VAT is 23 %.

The akcyza stays in the price — it is not refunded on export

Anyone registering a vehicle in Poland for the first time pays the excise duty akcyza: 3.1 % for engines up to 2 litres, 18.6 % above that. This tax sits in the price of every vehicle registered in Poland and is not refunded on export. On a large-engined car it is a noticeable amount, and it eats up the apparent price advantage. So do not measure a Polish offer against the Polish list price, but against a comparable German offer — the calculator shows you both final prices.

How much tax comes back from Poland?

In Poland the type of invoice decides. With a “Faktura VAT” the tax is shown: at PLN 123,000 that is 23 % or PLN 23,000, net PLN 100,000. With a “faktura VAT marża” (margin invoice) no tax appears on the invoice, and nothing comes back. The seller proves the tax-free export with the IE-599 confirmation from the AES customs system.

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

For the drive across the border, the vehicle registration office issues a temporary registration for export, valid for no more than 30 days, with temporary plates for PLN 80 plus PLN 18.50 for the permit and PLN 12.50 for the sticker. The existing plates go back to the authority. After a sale abroad, the keeper must deregister the car within 30 days at the office where it is registered; the fee is PLN 10.

What to check when buying

The Polish market lives largely on cars imported from Western Europe. Check the history especially carefully and insist on the papers from the country of first registration.

How far is it from Poland to Switzerland?

From Wrocław to Thayngen it is 924 km, from Kraków 1,171 km and from Warsaw 1,325 km. From Warsaw the route runs via the Berlin ring road, from Kraków through Czechia; both end via the A81 at the Bietingen–Thayngen crossing.

We arrange transport from Poland on request. The distances are long, so costs run higher than from Germany.

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the akcyza?

It is the Polish excise duty on vehicles — 3.1 % up to 2 litres of engine capacity, 18.6 % above that. It falls due when the car is first registered in Poland, is built into the price and is not refunded on export.

Is it worth importing from Poland?

With smaller engines and plainly equipped cars, often yes. On big-engined vehicles, the akcyza you cannot reclaim, together with the higher transport costs, frequently eats up the advantage.

Is import duty payable when importing from Poland?

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. 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 Poland take?

Allow two to four weeks from the purchase contract. From Poland we arrange transport on request, so collection needs a little more lead time. Customs clearance we normally complete the same day at the Thayngen customs office.

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.

Finsler Customs GmbH

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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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