More Drugs and Cigarettes at the Border in 2025: The Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office's Balance Sheet

Context

TL;DR

• 1.6M smuggled cigarettes seized in 2025, up from 950K in 2024.
• 10 tons of drugs seized, worth over 10M Swiss francs.
• FCA increased border surveillance and collaboration with Italian authorities.
• Marijuana seizures quadrupled to 4,235 kg in 2025.

Key facts

• Smuggled cigarettes: 1.6 million in 2025, up from 950,000 in 2024.
• Drugs seized: 10 tons, worth over 10 million Swiss francs.
• Marijuana seized: 4,235 kilograms in 2025, four times the 2024 figure.
• Synthetic drugs seized: 2,415 kg in 2025, up from 175 kg in 2024.
• THC-edibles seized: 1,500 kg in 2025.
• Total narcotics seized: 6,650 kg in 2025, a 380% increase compared to the previous year.
• Customs declarations: 72.8 million in 2025, a 15% increase compared to the previous year.
• FCA funding: 5 million Swiss francs allocated for adapting control structures.

More Drugs and Cigarettes at the Border in 2025: The Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office's Balance Sheet

The year 2025 was an important year for the Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office (FCA), which recorded an increase in seizures of contraband drugs and cigarettes at the Italian-Swiss border. According to the 2025 balance sheet, the number of smuggled cigarettes rose to 1.6 million, a figure significantly higher than the previous year's 950,000. 📊

Approximately 1.3 million cigarettes arrived in Switzerland by air, while the others were intercepted mainly at the southern and eastern borders. ⚠️

The majority of these smuggled cigarettes come from third countries, such as China, Turkey, and Egypt, which export cheap cigarettes to Switzerland, where they are sold at higher prices. According to the Federal Law on Contraband and Protection of Competition, introduced on January 1, 2022, imported cigarettes cannot be sold at prices lower than 10 Swiss francs per pack of 20 cigarettes. However, these regulations do not seem to have any effect in practice, as contraband cigarettes continue to flow into the Swiss market.

The number of smuggled cigarettes increased by 70% compared to the previous year, and this is also reflected in the number of cigarettes seized in the Ticino canton. According to FCA data, over 1 million cigarettes were seized in the municipalities of Lugano, Bellinzona, and Locarno. These data confirm the trend of cigarette smuggling at the Italian-Swiss border.

In 2025, 10 tons of drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, were seized, worth over 10 million Swiss francs. These seizures not only prevented the sale of illicit substances on the black market but also contributed to preventing their spread among young people.

The FCA has also implemented a number of measures to prevent cigarette and drug smuggling. These include the training of border agents and collaboration with Italian and Swiss law enforcement agencies to exchange information and coordinate control operations. In addition, the FCA has increased the presence of border agents in the Ticino municipalities, particularly in Lugano, Bellinzona, and Locarno, where the majority of cigarette smuggling seizures were recorded.

The situation appears to be similar in Italy, where cigarette and drug smuggling is a serious problem. According to 2025 data, over 2 million cigarettes and 5 tons of drugs were seized at the Italian-Swiss border.

The FCA has also launched a public awareness campaign to inform the public about the risk of cigarette and drug smuggling. The campaign involved the creation of billboards and the dissemination of messages on social media to warn the public of the danger of cigarette and drug smuggling.

In conclusion, 2025 was an important year for the FCA, which recorded an increase in seizures of cigarettes and drugs at the Italian-Swiss border. The FCA has implemented a number of measures to prevent cigarette and drug smuggling, including the training of border agents and collaboration with Italian and Swiss law enforcement agencies.

Operational details

More Drugs and Cigarettes at the Border in 2025: The Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office's Balance Sheet

In terms of narcotics, the Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office (FCA) recorded an increase in the quantity of marijuana, which rose to 4,235 kilograms, four times the 2024 figure. 📊 A significant increase was also recorded in the quantities of synthetic drugs, which rose from 175 kg to 2,415 kg. A large quantity of THC-edibles, i.e., food products containing synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids, was also seized.

It is true that amphetamines and methamphetamines decreased, but it is also true that the persistence of the narcotics trade does not seem to decrease. The FCA has reported an increase in attempts to dispose of illicit substances in natural areas, such as Lake Maggiore and Lake Como, which also overlook important Ticino municipalities.

Among the Ticino municipalities most affected by this increase in activity are Bellinzona, Locarno, and Lugano. These cities, located at the border with Italy, represent the first stop for illicit substances brought into Switzerland. The total amount of seized narcotics in 2025 rose to 6,650 kg, an increase of 380% compared to the previous year.

⚠️ The FCA has reported that the majority of seized substances are sold through online platforms, such as social media. This behavior is considered a serious threat to public health and Swiss law.

To counter this increase in activity, the FCA has implemented various operational measures, including border surveillance, collaboration with Italian authorities, and monitoring of online platforms. The FCA recommends reporting any suspicious activities to the competent authorities.

Among the most important regulations governing FCA activity are the Federal Law of December 14, 2001 on the fight against drug addiction and the Federal Law of December 17, 2004 on the fight against synthetic drugs. The total amount of seized cigarettes in 2025 rose to 1.5 million, an increase of 25% compared to the previous year.

📊 The latest data show that the majority of seized substances are sold through online platforms, such as social media. This behavior is considered a serious threat to public health and Swiss law.

The list of the most common seized substances is as follows:

• Marijuana: 4,235 kilograms
• Synthetic drugs: 2,415 kg
• THC-edibles: 1,500 kg
• Amphetamines: 100 kg
• Methamphetamines: 50 kg

💡 To counter this increase in activity, the FCA has implemented various operational measures, including border surveillance, collaboration with Italian authorities, and monitoring of online platforms.

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Key points

More Drugs and Cigarettes at the Border in 2025: The Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office's Balance Sheet

The Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office (FCA) has published its annual data for 2025, revealing a significant increase in suspicious transactions at the border between Switzerland and Italy. According to the statistics, online trade was a major factor in this increase, with 72.8 million customs declarations recorded in 2025, an increase of 15% compared to the previous year.

This increase in suspicious transactions is a serious problem for border agents operating in the Canton of Ticino, where the borders are particularly densely populated and the traffic is intense. It is therefore essential for these operators to report any suspicious transactions to the competent authorities. If you have any doubts or suspicions, you can contact the Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office for up-to-date and useful information.

To help border agents navigate this complex scenario, we have created a list of checks to perform:

• Verify that the products are properly declared and documented;
• Ensure that the prices are consistent with those on the market;
• Check that the products are not subject to restrictions or bans on importation;
• Use calculation tools to determine the value of the goods;
• Compare prices of goods and services in Switzerland and Italy to ensure that you do not engage in unfair trade.

Here are some concrete examples of suspicious transactions that may be reported to the authorities:

• 10,000 cigarettes imported from a single supplier in a single day;
• 5,000 grams of narcotics imported in a single shipment;
• 1,000 gift items imported without a customs declaration.

In addition, it is worth noting that the FCA has reported a growing trend of suspicious transactions through online commerce channels. This means that border agents must be particularly vigilant when buying or selling products online.

To help border agents stay informed about changes in legislation and economic developments in the Canton of Ticino, we have created a dedicated section for the latest news and articles. Here are some examples of recent articles:

• "New rules for luxury goods importers in the Canton of Ticino": This article explains the new regulations for luxury goods importers in the Canton of Ticino, which will come into effect on January 1, 2026.
• "Prices of goods and services in Switzerland and Italy: a comparison": This article presents a comparison of prices of goods and services in Switzerland and Italy, helping border agents to better understand the market.
• "The Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office: a one-stop-shop for border agents": This article presents the FCA as a one-stop-shop for border agents, providing information and tools to help them navigate their complex scenario.

In addition, it is worth noting that the FCA has allocated 5 million Swiss francs to finance the adaptation of control structures to the new requirements. This fund will be used to increase control capacity and improve border security.

Finally, it is essential to remember that the Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office is an essential partner for border agents operating in the Canton of Ticino. If you have any doubts or suspicions, you can contact the competent authorities for up-to-date and useful information.