Complete Guide to Customs Procedure in Geneva: Importation, Exportation, and Delivery Services for Successful International Trade

Are you looking to import or export goods to Geneva? Do you want to understand the required documents, customs duties, and applicable customs procedures? Are you searching for a reliable and fast delivery service for your international shipments? If so, this guide is tailored to your needs. We will explain everything you need to know about customs procedures in Geneva. And introduce you to delivery services to streamline your import and export operations. In this guide, we will cover the key aspects of customs procedures in Geneva. The steps to follow for importing or exporting goods, as well as available delivery services to support your business transactions. We will also provide recommendations for choosing a reliable delivery service that suits your needs.

Understanding Customs Procedures in Geneva

Customs administration is the body responsible for implementing customs functions in a country. It consists of various services and agents who carry out their duties at border posts

• (airports, ports, railways, roads).

Or in internal offices

• (customs clearance centers, laboratories, investigation services).

Customs administration in Geneva falls under the Federal Customs and Border Protection Office. Which is the competent authority for all of Switzerland. It operates several border posts and customs offices responsible for controlling and clearing goods entering or leaving the country. It also provides information services to individuals and businesses to inform them about applicable customs regulations and procedures.

Roles of Customs Administration for Customs procedures Geneva

Customs services are government agencies responsible for controlling the flow of goods and people across a country’s borders. Their roles include ensuring the legitimacy of trade and protecting the economic, social, and environmental interests of the country. The roles of customs in international trade can be divided into several missions:

• Collection of fees due upon the entry or exit of goods, such as customs duties, value-added tax, special taxes, etc. These fees contribute to the state budget and regulate foreign trade.
• Monitoring compliance with international trade rules, including trade agreements, quotas, tariff preferences, rules of origin, etc.
• Combating fraud and illicit activities, including counterfeiting, money laundering, drug trafficking, arms trafficking, hazardous goods trafficking, etc. These activities threaten the safety and health of citizens and the economic interests of the country.
• Facilitating legitimate trade by simplifying and modernizing customs procedures.

Key Aspects of Customs Procedures in Geneva

Customs procedures in Geneva encompass several aspects that must be understood and followed to import or export goods to Switzerland. We will introduce the three most important ones: customs formalities, customs duties and taxes, and customs regimes.

Customs Declaration

This is the document used to identify goods, determine their customs value, origin, customs regime, and applicable fees. You must present this declaration voluntarily to a competent customs office for processing commercial goods. Switzerland uses an electronic customs declaration system called “e-dec.”

Invoice and/or Sales Contract

These are documents that confirm the price and terms of sale of goods. They must accurately reflect the name and address of the seller and buyer,

• a description of the goods,
• quantity,
• unit and total price,
• transportation and insurance costs,
• etc.

Authorizations/Certificates

These are documents that prove that goods comply with Swiss sanitary, phytosanitary, environmental, or other applicable standards. They must be issued by the competent authorities in the exporting or importing country, as applicable.

Customs Duties and Taxes

These are indirect taxes levied on goods entering the Swiss customs territory. They serve to finance the state budget, protect the national economy, and regulate foreign trade.

In most countries, customs duties are calculated based on the value of the goods. In Switzerland, they are based on the gross weight of the goods. The rates of customs duties vary depending on the type and origin of the goods. You can consult the applicable rates in the Customs Tariff (Tares).

Goods originating from countries that have signed a free trade agreement with Switzerland may benefit. And this from customs duty exemptions or reductions. Switzerland has signed free trade agreements with the

• European Union,
• the European Free Trade Association (EFTA),
• Turkey,
• Canada,
• Japan,
• China,
• and others.

Customs Regimes

These are procedures used to determine the customs status of goods and the applicable fees. They depend on the intended use of the goods and their final destination. There are two types of customs regimes: definitive and suspensive.

Definitive regimes grant goods the status of national or foreign goods. And typically involve the payment of customs duties and taxes unless specific conditions apply. The main ones include:

• Release for free circulation: Importing goods into Switzerland permanently, subject to applicable fees and trade policy measures.
• Export: Permanently exporting goods outside the Swiss customs territory, exempting them from applicable fees and trade policy measures.

Suspensive regimes allow the suspension or deferral of customs duties and taxes. As well as the application of trade policy measures. They require that goods have a specific destination for a particular operation or subsequent re-exportation. Such goods are not subject to the fees and trade policy measures that would normally apply.

Delivery Services to Facilitate Customs procedures Geneva

There are various types of delivery services available based on mode of transport, cost, and service quality. We will introduce the main ones:

Express Delivery Services

Express delivery services guarantee fast and priority delivery of parcels. Typically, they can deliver within 24 to 48 hours, both within Switzerland and internationally. They are suitable for urgent or valuable shipments that require enhanced tracking and traceability.

Express delivery services are provided by specialized carriers such as Chronopost, UPS, FedEx, DHL, TNT, etc. These carriers have extensive networks and optimized logistics. And enabling them to transport parcels by air or road while meeting specified deadlines.

Delivery Services by Sea Freight

Sea freight delivery services transport goods by water, aboard specialized vessels. They are suitable for large quantity shipments, heavy cargo, or high-volume goods. These shipments are not time-sensitive and have distant destinations.

Sea freight delivery services are provided by maritime companies like MSC, FedEx, Eurosender, etc. These companies operate diverse fleets of vessels capable of transporting various types of goods, including dry, liquid, refrigerated, hazardous, etc.

Delivery Services by Air Freight

Air freight delivery services transport goods by air, using cargo planes or commercial flights. They are suitable for urgent shipments, valuable cargo, or lightweight goods destined for remote or hard-to-reach locations.

Air freight delivery services are provided by airlines such as FedEx, Eurosender, DHL, UPS, etc. These companies have global networks and efficient logistics, ensuring the fastest and most secure delivery of parcels.

Delivery Services Offered by Helvetia Services

If you are seeking a reliable, fast, and cost-effective delivery service, we recommend considering our company. Helvetia Services specializes in transportation and logistics in the customs procedure in Geneva. We offer customized delivery services for individuals and businesses. Helvetia Services assists you in all steps of the customs procedure. And this including customs declarations and monitoring and controlling goods. Helvetia Services ensures prompt delivery.

To benefit from Helvetia Services, simply fill out the quotation request form. You will receive a personalized and non-binding offer tailored to your budget and project. Don’t wait any longer; contact us today and enjoy high-quality delivery service!

Advantages of Delivery Services for Customs procedures Geneva

Delivery services are essential partners in customs procedures in Geneva, offering numerous benefits to senders and recipients. They allow you to focus on your core business and optimize your logistics. Here are the main advantages of delivery services for customs procedures:

Speed and Efficiency of Deliveries

Delivery services reduce transportation and shipping times, using the most suitable and fastest modes of transport. Whether by air, sea, or road, delivery services ensure timely deliveries, meeting customer demands and market constraints.

Real-Time Parcel and Goods Tracking

Delivery services provide precise, real-time tracking of parcels and goods using advanced technologies and maintaining constant communication among transport stakeholders. They assign unique tracking numbers to parcels and goods, allowing for continuous monitoring of their location and status.

Management of Customs procedures Geneva

Delivery services simplify customs procedures in Geneva by handling administrative, tax, and regulatory formalities. And this related to the importation or exportation of goods. They possess expertise and experience in customs clearance, ensuring compliance with current rules and procedures.

Documents Required for Customs procedures Geneva

Delivery services provide the necessary documents for customs procedures, including customs declarations, invoices, certificates of origin, etc. They also file customs declarations with competent authorities using fast and secure electronic systems. And handle the payment of customs duties and taxes, which are then billed to the sender or recipient.