Importing a passenger car into Switzerland
The passenger car is the standard case — and the most expensive one
A passenger car falls under customs tariff number 8703 and is therefore fully liable to the automobile tax. It is also the only vehicle category besides the light commercial vehicle where the CO2 levy can apply. On a car that counts as new in customs terms — first registered less than six months ago, or six to twelve months ago with fewer than 5,000 km — every gram above its individual target value costs CHF 95. For a vehicle emitting 160 g/km with a kerb weight of 1,600 kg, that quickly adds up to several thousand francs. Buyers who know about this threshold sometimes choose a car with a few more months on the clock on purpose.
The charges at a glance
| Charge | Passenger car |
|---|---|
| Customs tariff number | 8703 |
| Import duty | CHF 0.00 (since 1 January 2024) |
| Automobile tax 4 % | yes |
| Import VAT 8.1 % | yes |
| CO2 levy | yes, on cars that count as new in customs terms |
| Roadworthiness test (MFK) | yes |
Source: BAZG directive 68 on the Automobilsteuer (Swiss automobile tax), version of 1 July 2026, section 1.1 on art. 2 of the Automobilsteuergesetz. The duty rate of CHF 0.00 follows from the abolition of industrial tariffs on 1 January 2024.
What to watch for
The COC (certificate of conformity) is the key document: without it there is neither clean customs clearance nor straightforward registration. Check before you buy whether it is available. Registration then requires the MFK — the technical inspection at the road traffic office of your canton of residence — proof of insurance, and the Stammnummer, the Swiss vehicle reference number that is created at import on form 13.20 A.
Procedure and costs
The procedure is the same for every vehicle category: you choose the vehicle, we obtain the documents, handle the export in the country of origin, collect the car, clear customs at the Thayngen customs office and accompany you through inspection and registration. You can work out the final price in the import calculator — with vehicle category, country of origin and all charges, without signing up.
The country you import from does not change the Swiss charges, but it does change the VAT refund in the country of origin: from 17 % in Luxembourg to 25 % in Sweden — and nothing at all in Norway.