Temporary certificate form 15.25 (Vormerkschein): clearing your car inland – how it works
By Anna Katharina Finsler, Managing Director, Finsler Customs GmbH · Last updated:
The short answer: The temporary certificate form 15.25 (Vormerkschein), issued at the border, lets you enter Switzerland with a car you bought without clearing it straight away. You then have 2 working days to declare it at an inland customs office for commercial goods. Missing the deadline risks a fine; the charges (4 % automobile tax, 8.1 % VAT) stay the same.
Rates checked on 8 October 2026: automobile tax 4 %, Swiss VAT 8.1 %
When do you need the temporary certificate 15.25?
The slip is the answer whenever clearing customs at the border crossing itself is impossible or unwanted – because the counter for commercial goods has already closed, for instance, or because the paperwork is still incomplete. You obtain it at staffed border crossings, and it allows you to drive on to an inland customs office. Important: until it has been cleared, the vehicle counts as uncleared and may not be used freely in Switzerland.
Deadline and procedure for inland clearance
- At the border: ask for the temporary certificate form 15.25 (form 15.30 is its counterpart for exports) and have the vehicle data recorded.
- Within 2 working days: declare the vehicle at an inland customs office responsible for commercial goods – the deadline admits no exceptions, and missing it means a fine.
- Assessment: present the invoice or purchase contract, the registration certificate, the COC (certificate of conformity) and your ID, then pay 4 % automobile tax and 8.1 % import VAT. Proof of origin is no longer required, and the customs duty itself is CHF 0.
- Customs certificate 13.20 A is issued – the basis for the MFK (the Swiss roadworthiness inspection) and for registration.
Clearance at the border or inland – which is better?
| Option | Advantage | Drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Directly at the border (e.g. Thayngen) | everything in one step, cleared immediately | tied to the opening hours for commercial goods |
| Temporary certificate 15.25 plus inland clearance | flexible entry, free choice of a customs office near home | two-working-day deadline, a second trip to the authorities |
| Electronic pre-clearance through a forwarding agent | no waiting at the border | forwarding fee (approx. CHF 80–350) |
If you import through Finsler Customs, the slip is practically never needed: the company is based about a kilometre from the Thayngen customs office, and clearance takes place during the hours for commercial goods – prepared before your vehicle even arrives. Source and details: FOCBS – importing vehicles into Switzerland.
Frequently asked questions
What is the temporary certificate form 15.25?
An official Swiss customs document that permits the provisional, uncleared import of a vehicle. It is issued at the border and obliges you to clear the vehicle properly within 2 working days at an inland customs office responsible for commercial goods.
How long does the temporary certificate give me to clear the vehicle?
2 working days from the date of issue. The deadline admits no exceptions – miss it and you risk a fine as well as trouble at registration later on. Arrange the appointment at the inland customs office straight after crossing the border.
Does inland clearance save me any duty?
No. Automobile tax (4 %) and VAT (8.1 %) are identical at every customs office, and since 1 January 2024 no import duty has been levied anywhere (rate CHF 0). The temporary certificate buys you flexibility in time and place, nothing more – the total cost stays the same, it merely adds a second trip to the authorities.
Do I need the temporary certificate if Finsler Customs handles the clearance?
As a rule, no. Finsler Customs is based in Thayngen, about a kilometre from the customs office, prepares the electronic import declaration in advance and usually clears vehicles the same day during the opening hours for commercial goods – border clearance is then the fastest route.
Sources and legal basis
The information on this page is based on the official publications listed below. The wording of the legislation in force always takes precedence.
- 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)
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