Vehicle sourcing in Germany

By Anna Katharina Finsler, Managing Director, Finsler Customs GmbH · Last updated: 16 October 2026

In short: Finsler Customs finds your car in Germany in two ways: you send us the link to a listing, or you name model, equipment and budget and we search. We check condition, history and whether the 19 % German VAT drops away on export, then buy for your account. Part of Komfort and Premium; the final Swiss price is fixed beforehand.

Rates checked on 8 October 2026: automobile tax 4 %, Swiss VAT 8.1 %

You name the make, model, equipment and budget – Finsler Customs searches the German market (dealer network, mobile.de, AutoScout24), checks condition and history and negotiates the price.

Before you commit, you receive a calculation listing every import cost separately, so that the final Swiss price is clear from the outset.

We handle the purchase in your name, including a check on whether the invoice shows VAT separately, which is what makes the refund of German VAT possible.

How we find the car you want

1. Search profile: make, model, equipment, mileage, colour and budget – the more precise your brief, the better the result.
2. Market research: we work through mobile.de, AutoScout24 and our German dealer network – with roughly 6.5 million changes of registered keeper for passenger cars a year (KBA annual figures 2025, the German federal motor transport authority), the German market offers a far wider choice than the Swiss one.
3. Vetting the candidates: history, service record, accident-free status, VAT status and availability of the COC (Certificate of Conformity) – you only ever see cars that have been checked.
4. All-in calculation: the final Swiss price, with every import cost included, is settled before the purchase.
5. Purchase and import: fiduciary purchase, export, customs clearance and, with the Premium package, the registration.

What we look at on every vehicle

• VAT status: a car sold with VAT shown separately means a 19 % refund on export – the single biggest lever on the price of an import.
• COC document: without a Certificate of Conformity there is no Swiss registration – we have it confirmed in writing.
• History and condition: a complete service record, a documented accident-free history and a plausible odometer reading.
• Export sales contract: net invoicing and the export clause are written into the contract.

What matters when buying in Germany is set out in the guide Buying a car in Germany.

Further services

• Vehicle import Germany–Switzerland
• Vehicle cleaning and preparation
• Customs clearance
• Document service
• Import advice

Figures and timelines at a glance

Sources and legal basis

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

• Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) – Importing vehicles into Switzerland
• FOCBS – Customs declaration and taxes on vehicle imports
• Automobile Tax Act (AStG, SR 641.51) (German text)
• Value Added Tax Act (MWSTG, SR 641.20)

Frequently asked questions

I have already found the car I want – is that possible too?

Yes. Simply send us the link to the listing: we check the condition, the paperwork and the VAT situation and, if you wish, take over the negotiation and the purchase – as your agent and with no margin on the vehicle price.

Who is the buyer of the vehicle?

You are. We buy as your trustee, on your behalf and for your account; the purchase contract and the dealer's invoice are in your name. Finsler Customs does not become a party to the purchase contract, and any discount negotiated belongs to you.

Can I book the vehicle search on its own?

No. Sourcing and purchase are always part of an import package (Komfort or Premium), so the whole process stays with one provider.

How long does the search take?

Common models usually turn up within a few days; rare configurations can take several weeks. You decide afresh on every proposal – with no obligation to buy.

Can I see the vehicle before it is bought?

Yes. You can come along, or we send you a detailed inspection report with photos and video.

Do you work only with dealers?

Mostly with German dealers; we also check selected private offers.

What happens if the vehicle fails our inspection?

Then we call off the purchase and keep searching, so an unsuitable vehicle is never transported to Switzerland.

What happens if no suitable vehicle is found?

Then you are under no obligation – the search profile stays active if you want it to, and we get in touch as soon as a suitable car comes onto the market.

Finsler Customs GmbH

Company

• About us
• Author
• References
• Guides
• FAQ
• Contact

Services

• All services
• Vehicle import DE→CH
• Customs clearance
• Vehicle sourcing
• Document service
• Import advice
• Vehicle detailing

Calculators and tools

• Import calculator
• Swiss customs fees
• CO₂ calculator
• CO₂ penalty
• Transport calculator
• Car transport to CH
• Check the Stammnummer
• FlexiMoto.ch

Location

• Thayngen customs office
• Car import in Schaffhausen
• Have your car imported

Import by country of origin

• Importing a car from Germany into Switzerland
• Importing a car from Austria into Switzerland
• Import a car from France into Switzerland
• Import a car from Italy to Switzerland
• Import a car from the Netherlands into Switzerland
• Import a car from Belgium to Switzerland
• Importing a car from Luxembourg into Switzerland
• Importing a car from Czechia into Switzerland
• Importing a car from Poland into Switzerland
• Import a car from Sweden into Switzerland
• Import a car from Norway to Switzerland

Import by vehicle type

• Importing a passenger car into Switzerland
• Importing a motorcycle into Switzerland
• Importing a van up to 3.5 t into Switzerland
• Importing a motorhome into Switzerland
• Importing a caravan into Switzerland

Imprint · Privacy · Terms · Sitemap