What is the maximum additional duty for imports from Switzerland?

On July 24, 2026, the United States adopted measures in the form of new additional tariffs based on an investigation into trade in goods produced using forced labor, conducted under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. For imports from Switzerland, the duty is variable and can reach a maximum of 12.5%. MFN duties already in place will be taken into account.

When will the Swiss people vote on the law on military equipment?

On November 29, 2026, the Swiss people will vote on the amendment of the federal law on war materiel. The source indicates the date and subject of the vote, but does not communicate the outcome or describe the content of the change. The date can then be entered into the federal calendar without anticipating the decision.

When will Helene Budliger Artieda's resignation take effect?

On 16 September 2026 Guy Parmelin informed the Federal Council that Helene Budliger Artieda has decided to resign with effect from the end of March 2027. A special commission will be set up for the succession. The source does not indicate the name of the successor or a date beyond the date already indicated. Therefore, the date of the announcement and the effective date remain available.

How many employees does SECO have?

SECO has more than 900 employees distributed in three offices in Switzerland and 50 posted in 32 countries. It also offers numerous apprenticeships and university internships. On the organizational level, it consists of four directorates and the Resources performance field. Strategic management is the responsibility of the Steering Committee.

SECO: New US Tariffs and 2026 Federal Vote

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 3 October 2026

SECO documents about new US tariffs on imports from Switzerland.

Variable U.S. tariffs of up to 12.5% on imports from Switzerland; vote on the War Materiel Act on November 29, 2026.

Context

In brief

24 July 2026: new US tariffs on Swiss imports
Variable additional tariff of up to 12.5%
29 November 2026: vote on the Federal Act on War Material
Helene Budliger Artieda: resignation effective at the end of March 2027

Key facts

Measure → new additional US tariffs
Basis → investigation into trade in goods produced using forced labor
Reference → Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974
Imports → originating from Switzerland
Maximum → 12.5%
Vote → 29 November 2026
Resignation → effective from the end of March 2027
Staff → over 900 employees and 50 seconded staff in 32 countries

On 24 July 2026, the United States adopted certain measures in the form of new additional tariffs. The stated basis is the investigation into trade in goods produced using forced labor, conducted pursuant to Section 301 of the US trade law of 1974, the Trade Act of 1974.

For imports originating from Switzerland, the additional tariff is variable and may reach a maximum of 12.5%. The MFN tariffs, that is, those of the Most Favored Nation, already in force, will nevertheless be taken into account. This distinction is useful: 12.5% is the maximum limit indicated, not a single percentage for every import. To organize the personnel overview without confusing it with the trade measure, calcolatore stipendio is available.

The federal calendar

On 29 November 2026, the Swiss electorate will vote on the amendment to the Federal Act on War Material. The source sets the date and subject of the vote, but does not anticipate the outcome or add details about the content of the amendment.

On 16 September 2026, President of the Confederation Guy Parmelin informed the Federal Council that State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda had decided to resign effective at the end of March 2027. A special commission will be established for the succession.

Among the references already present in SECO's material, on 28 February 2022 the Federal Council decided to support the European Union's sanctions against Russia, thereby strengthening their effectiveness.

The organizational structure is described with precise figures: SECO has over 900 employees distributed across three locations in Switzerland and 50 seconded staff in 32 countries. It also offers numerous apprenticeships and university internships. SECO consists of four directorates and the Resources area of responsibility. Strategic direction lies with the Executive Management Board, and SECO's management is a central body within which strategic issues are discussed.

The website finally indicates that the most visited pages are presented with a thematic breakdown, designed to facilitate access to essential information.

Operational details

The data that requires the most careful reading is the combination of variability and upper limit. The source does not present 12.5% as a single tax rate; it speaks of a variable additional duty that can reach that level. At the same time, it specifies that the MFN duties already in force will be taken into account. For a practical reading, the information to be kept separate is therefore three: imports coming from Switzerland, the new additional duty, and existing MFN duties. Automatically adding up the items without this distinction would result in a reading not intended by the text.

A grid to avoid confusing dates

Table 1: Element
Element	What the source establishes
Duty	Variable, up to 12.5%
MFN duties	Already in force and taken into account
Vote	November 29, 2026
Succession	Special commission for succession

This reading key also helps avoid overlapping other updates. November 29, 2026 is a political deadline linked to the amendment of the federal law on war material; September 16, 2026 is the date of the information regarding the resignation of the State Secretary, while the effective date is set for the end of March 2027. These are two different levels, even if they appear in the same material.

The same applies to February 28, 2022. The Federal Council's decision to support European Union sanctions against Russia belongs to the previously reported timeline and is not presented by the source as a new 2026 announcement. The reference to strengthening effectiveness is part of the description of that decision.

For SECO, the figures on the organization offer a second type of practical information: over 900 employees are distributed across three locations in Switzerland and 50 are seconded to 32 countries. The organization also offers apprenticeship positions and university internships. Those who want to follow this aspect can check the job postings, keeping what the source declares separate from any list of available positions. The source does not name a successor to Helene Budliger Artieda; it only indicates the future establishment of a commission.

Finally, the presence of four directorates and the Resources service area describes SECO's internal architecture. Strategic management is the responsibility of the steering committee, while the management of SECO is indicated as the central body for strategic issues.

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

To use the material without turning a piece of data into an interpretation, it is advisable to proceed using separate sheets. The check consists of keeping trade, voting, management, and organizational information distinct, without adding percentages or deadlines other than those indicated.

Five operational steps

1. Mark the date of the trade measure: 24 luglio 2026. Write next to it that these are new additional U.S. tariffs based on the investigation conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 concerning trade in goods produced using forced labor.

2. Separate the cap from the applicable percentage. Record 12,5% as the maximum and keep the entry variable. Add to the same sheet a reference to the MFN tariffs already in force, which will be taken into account.

3. For the Swiss timeline, enter 29 novembre 2026 and the amendment to the Federal Act on War Material. The correct action is to follow the vote without presenting an anticipated outcome.

4. For SECO’s management, note 16 settembre 2026 as the date on which President of the Confederation Guy Parmelin informed the Federal Council. The subsequent deadline is the end of marzo 2027, when Helene Budliger Artieda’s resignation will take effect; the succession will go through a special commission.

5. If your interest is professional, start with the opportunities that SECO says it offers: apprenticeships and university internships. The website also indicates a thematic division of the pages, intended to facilitate access to essential information. Before searching, keep the organizational data separate: more than 900 employees at three Swiss locations and 50 posted to 32 countries. A separate historical section should contain 28 febbraio 2022, the date of the Federal Council’s decision to support the European Union’s sanctions against Russia.

For the final check on your personal budget, use the calcolatore stipendio.

Source: seco.admin.ch

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum additional duty for imports from Switzerland?: On July 24, 2026, the United States adopted measures in the form of new additional tariffs based on an investigation into trade in goods produced using forced labor, conducted under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. For imports from Switzerland, the duty is variable and can reach a maximum of 12.5%. MFN duties already in place will be taken into account.
When will the Swiss people vote on the law on military equipment?: On November 29, 2026, the Swiss people will vote on the amendment of the federal law on war materiel. The source indicates the date and subject of the vote, but does not communicate the outcome or describe the content of the change. The date can then be entered into the federal calendar without anticipating the decision.
When will Helene Budliger Artieda's resignation take effect?: On 16 September 2026 Guy Parmelin informed the Federal Council that Helene Budliger Artieda has decided to resign with effect from the end of March 2027. A special commission will be set up for the succession. The source does not indicate the name of the successor or a date beyond the date already indicated. Therefore, the date of the announcement and the effective date remain available.
How many employees does SECO have?: SECO has more than 900 employees distributed in three offices in Switzerland and 50 posted in 32 countries. It also offers numerous apprenticeships and university internships. On the organizational level, it consists of four directorates and the Resources performance field. Strategic management is the responsibility of the Steering Committee.