How do I behave if I am a Swiss citizen carrying goods purchased abroad without declaring them?

It is essential to follow the operational checklist for customs clearance: verification of the necessary documentation, customs declaration, payment of customs duties and control of the goods. In the event of omission, sanctions of up to 10,000 Swiss francs may be applied.

Can I use any border crossing to import commercial goods in Switzerland?

No, commercial goods must only be discarded at authorized customs offices, such as Chiasso or Lugano. Loans like Bühl are reserved for private tourist traffic.

What are the main differences between the Swiss customs and Italian cargo vessels?

The Swiss valics such as Chiasso and Lugano are equipped for the customs clearance of commercial goods, while the Italian ones are more oriented to tourist traffic. It is important to use authorized valics for import/export operations of goods, respecting customs regulations.

How can I prove that I have purchased goods abroad to avoid customs sanctions?

It is essential to keep all receipts, invoices and purchase documents that bear the value and origin of the goods. These documents must be shown to customs authorities in case of checks to demonstrate the legitimacy of transport.

What are the consequences if transport goods without mandatory declaration in Switzerland?

Transport of goods without declaration may involve pecuniary sanctions, seizure of the goods and payment of duties and penalties. In serious cases, it can also arise in criminal proceedings, with fines of up to 10,000 Swiss francs.

Swiss man stopped with 900 packages of Pokémon figures (cross-border guide)

Di Valerie Linc · Published on 4 April 2026

A 33-year-old man was stopped at customs with a shipment of 900 packages of Pokémon figures worth 6,900 euros.

Context

TL;DR

900 packages of Pokémon figures seized at Bühl border crossing
Driver failed to declare goods worth 6,900 euros
Violation of customs regulations resulted in 1,500 euros fine

Key facts

Cosa: 900 packages of Pokémon figures
Quando: April 4, 2026
Dove: Bühl border crossing, Switzerland
Chi: 33-year-old Swiss citizen from Chiasso
Importo: 6,900 euros
Scadenza: January 1, 2022 (customs regulations)
Sanzione: 1,500 euros fine and seizure of goods
Regolamento: Goods over 300 euros must be declared

…

Operational details

The seizure of goods

The operation highlighted a dual violation of current regulations: the obligation to declare and the limitations of the Bühl crossing. The customs clearance of commercial goods is only allowed at specific customs offices equipped for this purpose, such as those in Chiasso or Lugano, while the Bühl crossing is open exclusively to private tourist traffic. The driver of the vehicle paid the due customs duties, for a total amount exceeding 1,500 euros, including 900 euros in duties for the goods and 600 euros in penalties for the violation of customs regulations. However, the matter does not end with the simple payment of taxes, as the file has been officially forwarded to the competent service for sanctions and fines of the customs office.

Current regulations, as established by the Customs Regulation of January 1, 2020, provide that commercial goods are cleared only at authorized customs offices.
The Bühl crossing, located in the municipality of Mendrisio, is subject to specific restrictions, as indicated in the circular of the Customs Office of June 15, 2022.
The driver of the vehicle, residing in Locarno, violated customs regulations by transporting commercial goods without the necessary documentation, such as a commercial invoice and customs declaration.
The operational checklist for the customs clearance of commercial goods includes:
Verification of necessary documentation
Customs declaration
Payment of customs duties
Control of goods
In this case, the driver of the vehicle failed to follow the correct procedure, resulting in a violation of customs regulations.

'The violation of customs regulations can have serious consequences, such as the seizure of goods and the payment of high fines.'

…

Key points

What to do in case of goods seizure

In case of goods seizure, it's essential to know your rights and duties. Being aware of the current regulations and procedures to follow is crucial to avoid further problems. For example, according to the Swiss customs law of January 1, 2007, imported goods must be declared to the competent customs authorities. In case of omission, fines of up to 10,000 Swiss francs can be applied.

For more information, you can consult our salary calculator or visit the customs and trade section of our website. Additionally, you can contact the competent customs offices to get clarification and assistance. For instance, the customs offices in Chiasso and Lugano are competent for goods imported from the Mendrisiotto region and the Lugano valley.

Here is an operational checklist to follow in case of goods seizure:

Check the accompanying documentation of the goods
Contact the competent customs offices to get information on the procedure to follow
Submit the required documentation within the established deadline (e.g., 30 days)
Pay any applicable fines or taxes (e.g., 5% of the value of the goods)

In case of goods seizure, it's also important to consider the additional costs that may arise from storage and custody of the goods. For example, storing 100 packages of goods for 30 days can cost up to 5,000 Swiss francs. Therefore, it's essential to act promptly to avoid further problems and costs. > 'Prevention is the best defense' against goods seizures.

Source: comozero.it

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I behave if I am a Swiss citizen carrying goods purchased abroad without declaring them?: It is essential to follow the operational checklist for customs clearance: verification of the necessary documentation, customs declaration, payment of customs duties and control of the goods. In the event of omission, sanctions of up to 10,000 Swiss francs may be applied.
Can I use any border crossing to import commercial goods in Switzerland?: No, commercial goods must only be discarded at authorized customs offices, such as Chiasso or Lugano. Loans like Bühl are reserved for private tourist traffic.
What are the main differences between the Swiss customs and Italian cargo vessels?: The Swiss valics such as Chiasso and Lugano are equipped for the customs clearance of commercial goods, while the Italian ones are more oriented to tourist traffic. It is important to use authorized valics for import/export operations of goods, respecting customs regulations.
How can I prove that I have purchased goods abroad to avoid customs sanctions?: It is essential to keep all receipts, invoices and purchase documents that bear the value and origin of the goods. These documents must be shown to customs authorities in case of checks to demonstrate the legitimacy of transport.
What are the consequences if transport goods without mandatory declaration in Switzerland?: Transport of goods without declaration may involve pecuniary sanctions, seizure of the goods and payment of duties and penalties. In serious cases, it can also arise in criminal proceedings, with fines of up to 10,000 Swiss francs.