Vehicle Import from Germany to Switzerland

Short answer: Finsler Customs handles the entire car import from Germany to Switzerland: purchase on your behalf, transport, customs clearance with 4 % automobile tax and 8.1 % VAT, preparation for the MFK (Motorfahrzeugkontrolle, the Swiss roadworthiness test) and registration in all 26 cantons. It normally takes 2–4 weeks, and duties and fees come to roughly 13–15 % of the net purchase price – clearance at the Thayngen border crossing is usually completed the same day.

Rates as at July 2026: automobile tax 4 %, Swiss VAT 8.1 %

Finsler Customs handles the entire vehicle import from Germany to Switzerland – from buying the car at the German dealership through transport and customs clearance to MFK preparation and registration in your canton of residence.

The company is based in Thayngen (SH), right at the border crossing to Germany: clearance happens without detours and vehicles are cleared the same day.

You get a transparent Swiss final price including automobile tax (4 %), Swiss VAT (8.1 %) and every fee – nothing hidden.

What the all-inclusive package covers

How does the import work?

The full-service import follows a proven sequence of seven steps: choose the vehicle, place the order and pay the deposit (usually 10 %), purchase in Germany, transport, customs clearance, MFK and registration. From the decision to buy to handover, expect 2–4 weeks as a rule. The guide The import process step by step explains the whole sequence together with every document involved.

What does the full-service import cost?

As a rule of thumb, duties and fees add roughly 13–15 % to the net purchase price (automobile tax, VAT, transport, customs declaration, MFK) – import duty has no longer applied since 1 January 2024. Before you buy, you receive a binding total-cost calculation; the car import calculator gives you a free estimate up front. Even with all the import costs, savings of 10–25 % against the Swiss market price are realistic on premium and well-equipped cars.

Going deeper: three fully calculated cost examples and the guide Warranty on imported vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the complete import take?

Typically 2–4 weeks. The biggest time factors are the MFK appointment in your canton of residence (1–4 weeks' waiting time) and sourcing a missing COC document, the European certificate of conformity (up to 2 weeks).

What does the full-service import cost?

As a rule of thumb, around 13–15 % of the net purchase price in duties and fees (4 % automobile tax, 8.1 % VAT, transport, customs declaration, MFK). Import duty has no longer applied since 1 January 2024 – whatever the country of origin. The service fee is usually around CHF 1'200; the exact amount is calculated automatically in the quotation and stated bindingly in advance. Customs clearance on its own starts at a flat CHF 250.

Can I pick the car myself?

Yes – a link to the listing on mobile.de or AutoScout24 is all it takes. Finsler Customs checks condition, history, VAT status and whether the car can be imported before you commit.

Does the manufacturer's warranty apply in Switzerland too?

Yes, the factory warranty applies across Europe and can be claimed at any official brand dealership in Switzerland – no matter which EU country the vehicle was bought in.

Other services

Sources and legal basis

The information on this page draws on the official publications below. The wording of the legislation in force is always what counts.

More information