How high can the new tariffs on imports from Switzerland go?

For imports originating from Switzerland, a variable additional duty applies that can reach a maximum of 12.5%. The measure was adopted by the United States on 24 July 2026 on the basis of an investigation into trade in goods produced using forced labor, conducted under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974. The MFN duties already in force will nevertheless be taken into account.

What is the effective date of Helene Budliger Artieda's resignation?

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 committee will be established for the succession. The source does not indicate the name of the successor or a timetable for the selection.

How is SECO organized according to the information provided?

SECO has more than 900 employees distributed across three locations in Switzerland and 50 posted abroad in 32 countries. It consists of four directorates and the Resources service area. Strategic management is the responsibility of the Executive Board, while SECO’s management is the central body where strategic issues are discussed. The organization also offers apprenticeships and university internships.

SECO: US tariffs, vote and resignation

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 1 October 2026

Documents on tariffs and a federal vote in a Swiss public administration office

On 24 July 2026, the United States adopted additional tariffs on Switzerland of up to 12.5%; on 29 November 2026, the vote will be held on war material.

Context

In brief

Additional duties from the US up to 12.5%
Vote on war material on November 29, 2026
Resignation of Helene Budliger Artieda at the end of March 2027
SECO employs more than 900 people

Key Facts

Additional and variable → duties, up to 12.5%
Duty date → 24 July 2026
Vote → 29 November 2026
Resignation → announcement on 16 September 2026, effective from the end of March 2027
SECO → more than 900 employees, three offices in Switzerland and 50 branches in 32 countries

The decisions indicated by SECO

On July 24, 2026, the United States adopted some measures in the form of new additional duties. The decision stems from the investigation into the trade in goods produced using forced labor, conducted under section 301 of the 1974 U.S. Trade Act, also referred to as the Trade Act of 1974.

A variable additional duty of up to 12.5% applies to imports from Switzerland. NPF (Most Favoured-Nation) duties that are already in force will still be taken into account. The wording indicated by SECO therefore contains both the new element and the reference to the duties already in force.

The Swiss political calendar lists November 29, 2026 as the date of the consultation on the amendment of the Federal Act on War Material. On that day, the Swiss people will give their opinion. The news item defines the subject of the vote, but does not add details on the content of the change.

Another date is 16 September 2026. On that day, President Guy Parmelin informed the Federal Council that State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda had decided to resign with effect from the end of March 2027. A special commission will be set up to succeed her. The text does not indicate the name of a successor.

Other institutional information

The page also recalls that on 28 February 2022, the Federal Council decided to support the European Union's sanctions against Russia, thus strengthening their effectiveness. This decision is reported separately from the 2026 trade measures.

SECO is described as an organisation with more than 900 employees at three locations in Switzerland and 50 seconded staff in 32 countries. It offers a wide range of apprenticeships and university internships. The structure comprises four directorates and the Resources service area. The strategic management is the responsibility of the management committee, while the SECO management is the central body in which strategic issues are discussed. Finally, the website indicates that the thematic division of the most visited pages facilitates access to essential information.

Operational details

What you can read and what you can't

The trade measure should be read as a range, not as a single percentage. The wording refers to a variable additional duty and indicates 12.5% as the maximum; it also refers to the MFN duties already in force. For those looking at imports from Switzerland, the number alone does not describe every possible application. The source does not list goods, specific rates or methods of calculation. Consequently, it does not allow the cap to be converted into a one-size-fits-all amount.

The same caution is needed for the vote on 29 November 2026. The concrete data is the consultation of the Swiss people on the amendment of the Federal Act on War Material. The source does not report the content of the amended articles or other effects. Attributing detailed consequences to the vote would go beyond the available information.

The transition to the State Secretary also requires a distinction between announcement and succession. 16 September 2026, the decision to resign with effect from the end of March 2027 and the future establishment of a special commission are indicated. The name of the successor or a timetable for the selection are not indicated.

Table 1: Theme
Theme	Available data	Source limit
Trade	maximum 12,5%, variable measure, MFN duties taken into account	no calculation for individual imports
Vote	29 November 2026 and amendment of the War Material Act	no details on the text of the amendment
Succession	Dedicated commission	No name or calendar indicated

In terms of organisation, SECO employs more than 900 people at three locations in Switzerland and 50 employees in 32 countries. The structure comprises four directorates and the Resources service area; the management committee is the strategic director. The thematic division of the most visited pages serves to facilitate access to essential information. Those looking for the opportunities mentioned by the institution, i.e. apprenticeships and university internships, can start with annunci di lavoro, without confusing this offer with a selection calendar that the source does not mention.

Useful tools to protect your net income

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

Key points

Operational checklist

1. Separate the trade file from the political file. For the trade measure, note the date of 24 July 2026, the variable additional duty formula and the limit of 12.5%. Next to these elements, include the reference to the MFN duties already in force. Do not replace variability with a single rate.

2. Record the deadline for the consultation. On 29 November 2026, the Swiss electorate will vote on the amendment of the Federal Act on War Material. As long as the available text does not add further elements, limit yourself to this subject and date.

3. Keep the succession file separate. The announcement is dated September 16, 2026; the effect of the resignation is set for the end of March 2027. The source provides for a special commission: this is the step to follow, without attributing names or timing not reported.

4. Use the structure of the website to search for information. SECO points out that the thematic division of the most visited pages facilitates access to essential information. For work, the reference available covers numerous apprenticeships and university internships. For a separate reading of personal expenses, you can consult the costo della vita in Svizzera, without attributing data to the source that it does not contain.

5. Keep a separate file for 28 February 2022. On that date, the Federal Council decided to support the European Union's sanctions against Russia, thus strengthening their effectiveness. Do not confuse this decision with the 2026 tariff measure: the source presents them in separate passages.

This procedure allows you to check the dates, subjects, and limits of the report without adding details about the content of the federal law, the future successor, or the individual imports. For a personal calculation separate from the commercial information, use the calcolatore stipendio e imposte.

Source: seco.admin.ch

Frequently Asked Questions

How high can the new tariffs on imports from Switzerland go?: For imports originating from Switzerland, a variable additional duty applies that can reach a maximum of 12.5%. The measure was adopted by the United States on 24 July 2026 on the basis of an investigation into trade in goods produced using forced labor, conducted under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974. The MFN duties already in force will nevertheless be taken into account.
When will the vote on the amendment of the Federal Act on War Material be taken?: The Swiss people will vote on November 29, 2026 on the amendment to the Federal Act on War Material. The source indicates the date and subject of the vote, but does not add the content of the amendment. The available information therefore makes it possible to establish the consultation deadline, but not to describe any further effects or provisions.
What is the effective date of Helene Budliger Artieda's resignation?: 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 committee will be established for the succession. The source does not indicate the name of the successor or a timetable for the selection.
How is SECO organized according to the information provided?: SECO has more than 900 employees distributed across three locations in Switzerland and 50 posted abroad in 32 countries. It consists of four directorates and the Resources service area. Strategic management is the responsibility of the Executive Board, while SECO’s management is the central body where strategic issues are discussed. The organization also offers apprenticeships and university internships.