How many Swiss companies actually ask for reimbursement of US duties?

According to Martin Hirzel, president of Swissmem, only a third of Swiss companies active in the machinery, electronics and metals sector have requested reimbursement of the duties unduly collected from the United States. This means that two out of three companies formally waive recovering amounts due, despite the right being acquired and the procedure being technically accessible online.

For which sectors is it possible to request reimbursement?

The reimbursement of unduly collected duties concerns Swiss companies active in the machinery, electronics and metals sector. These three areas represent strategic categories for Swiss exports to the United States and are particularly affected by American tariff dynamics.

Why don't most companies require reimbursement?

Businesses fear excessive bureaucratic burdens in the face of modest financial gain. Although the procedure can be carried out online, the form to be filled out is' rather complicated 'and requires precise commercial documentation. The perceived administrative cost frequently exceeds the expected economic benefit, discouraging action.

How can Swissmem better support companies?

Martin Hirzel openly acknowledged that Swissmem should promote the procedure more clearly. The association could provide step-by-step guides, compilation training webinars, referrals to customs tariff experts, and standardized document templates to facilitate the administrative journey of member companies.

US duty reimbursement: administrative fear (cross-border guide)

Di Marco Ferrari · Published on 27 August 2026

Swiss precision manufacturing facility with CNC machinery and industrial workstations

Only a third of Swiss companies ask for reimbursement of improperly collected US duties. The others give up for fear of excessive administrative burdens.

Context

In brief

Only 1/3 of Swiss companies request reimbursement of improperly collected US tariffs
They fear administrative costs exceeding financial gains
Online form available, but Swissmem should promote it better
Expected decline in overseas business activity for most companies

Key facts

What: Reimbursement of US tariffs on machinery, electronics, metals sector
Who: Swissmem (Swiss industry association), Martin Hirzel (president)
Percentage of applicants: Only 1/3 of companies have requested reimbursement
Main obstacle: Fear of administrative costs vs. modest financial gain
Procedure: Online form available but 'rather complicated'
Communication: Swissmem does not adequately promote the procedure
Outlook: Majority of companies expect declining activity in the United States

Only one-third of Swiss companies active in the machinery, electronics, and metals sector have requested reimbursement from the United States for improperly collected tariffs. This was revealed by Martin Hirzel, president of the industry association Swissmem, in an interview with financial agency AWP. This data illuminates a significant discrepancy: two out of three companies formally forgo recovering amounts owed, despite the right being established and the procedure being technically accessible.

The reasons for this massive abstention are primarily administrative. Companies fear excessive bureaucratic costs in the face of modest financial gain. This creates a scenario in which the perceived cost of the request exceeds the expected benefit, discouraging action.

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Operational details

The administrative burden resulting from tariffs and constantly changing regulations exerts direct pressure on the profitability and operational capacity of companies. Companies do not only face the immediate economic problem of tariffs, but also the hidden costs associated with compliance, management of international documentation, and continuous updating of internal processes.

A concrete consequence is the uncertainty transmitted to international customers. American buyers of Swiss products in the machinery, electronic components, and metal goods sectors operate in a precarious situation. Profit margins remain uncertain, delivery times undergo variations due to administrative obstacles, final prices remain exposed to tariff volatility. This creates a spiral of risks that discourages volume orders and long-term contracts.

Predictions of Contraction and Communication Failure

The majority of interviewed Swissmem companies predict a decline in overseas activity. This is not a marginal forecast: the American market remains strategic for the Swiss precision industry. A widespread contraction in exports to the USA would entail cascading repercussions on employment, research and development investments, and overall sector competitiveness.

The problem of inadequate communication emerges clearly from Hirzel's statement. If the reimbursement procedure remains poorly known and underutilized, the economic loss for companies accumulates over time, year after year. This is not a single recovery, but a series of missed reimbursements that progressively erode operating margins and investment capacity.

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Key points

Companies interested in recovering duties improperly collected have access to a formal procedure with the American customs authorities. Although the form is complex, online filing remains the only effective way to recover the amounts owed and should not discourage initiative. The first operational step is to contact the American customs authorities (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) directly, or to contact Swissmem to obtain initial informational support on the procedure and required documentation.

The procedure requires: precise identification of duties paid in excess; collection of commercial documentation (invoices, licenses, certificates of origin, original customs declarations); accurate completion of the specific form according to American criteria. Although the process can be completed online, it is essential to devote sufficient time to collecting documentation and verifying data accuracy. Procedural errors result in rejection of the request and loss of the right to reimbursement.

How to proceed effectively

Swissmem could develop a crucial role in providing technical assistance to members: step-by-step guides, training webinars on completion, referrals to customs tariff experts, standardized document templates. Currently, President Hirzel has explicitly acknowledged that this support function is insufficient. Companies proceeding independently must nevertheless evaluate the cost-benefit: if the expected reimbursement is less than CHF 5,000–10,000 (not specified in the source, but realistic for average amounts), spending on external consulting could erode the entire net gain.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Swiss companies actually ask for reimbursement of US duties?: According to Martin Hirzel, president of Swissmem, only a third of Swiss companies active in the machinery, electronics and metals sector have requested reimbursement of the duties unduly collected from the United States. This means that two out of three companies formally waive recovering amounts due, despite the right being acquired and the procedure being technically accessible online.
For which sectors is it possible to request reimbursement?: The reimbursement of unduly collected duties concerns Swiss companies active in the machinery, electronics and metals sector. These three areas represent strategic categories for Swiss exports to the United States and are particularly affected by American tariff dynamics.
Why don't most companies require reimbursement?: Businesses fear excessive bureaucratic burdens in the face of modest financial gain. Although the procedure can be carried out online, the form to be filled out is' rather complicated 'and requires precise commercial documentation. The perceived administrative cost frequently exceeds the expected economic benefit, discouraging action.
What documents are needed to request reimbursement?: The procedure requires: precise identification of duties paid in excess; collection of commercial documentation (invoices, licenses, certificates of origin, original customs declarations); accurate completion of the specific form according to American criteria. Procedural errors result in rejection of the claim and loss of the right to reimbursement.
How can Swissmem better support companies?: Martin Hirzel openly acknowledged that Swissmem should promote the procedure more clearly. The association could provide step-by-step guides, compilation training webinars, referrals to customs tariff experts, and standardized document templates to facilitate the administrative journey of member companies.