How do you import a car from Japan to Switzerland, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Switzerland charges 8.1% VAT and a 4% levy on the import value, with customs duty modelled at 0%, about 12% of CIF in total for a typical car. There is no simple age limit, but the car must clear customs, pass a technical inspection and may owe a CO2 penalty.
Car import duty calculator for Switzerland
Switzerland sits outside the EU, so it follows its own customs rules rather than the EU-Japan EPA — but import duty on vehicles can be 0% or low depending on the car's origin and HS tariff code, and the standard VAT rate is a competitive 8.1%. There is no simple age cap: any vehicle can be imported provided it clears Swiss Federal Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) clearance, passes the cantonal MFK technical inspection, and meets registration requirements. Both left- and right-hand drive vehicles are accepted. Cars from Japan arrive via the Port of Hamburg, then travel inland by road or rail to Basel, Zurich or another canton.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Switzerland?
- Steering
- Right- and left-hand drive
- Age limit
- No simple age cap; vehicle must clear customs, pass technical inspection and registration; CO2 penalty can apply.
- Inspection
- FOCBS customs clearance, Form 13.20A, MFK/inspection, cantonal registration
- Entry ports
- Hamburg + inland to Basel/Zurich
How do you import a car from Japan to Switzerland, step by step?
Check the import rules
No simple age cap; vehicle must clear customs, pass technical inspection and registration; CO2 penalty can apply. Switzerland accepts both left- and right-hand-drive vehicles, subject to its registration checks.
Buy the car and obtain the export certificate
After purchase in Japan the car's registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued. An English translation of it is needed for customs and registration in Switzerland.
Complete the required inspection
Required for Switzerland: FOCBS customs clearance, Form 13.20A, MFK/inspection, cantonal registration.
Ship to Hamburg + inland to Basel/Zurich
Cars from Japan arrive at Hamburg + inland to Basel/Zurich. Sea transit is about 42–56 days. The shipping line issues the bill of lading, which customs needs for the entry.
Lodge the customs entry and pay the taxes
A licensed clearing agent lodges the import declaration with the invoice, bill of lading and export certificate. Customs assesses Import duty, VAT / GST and Other levies; the rates are in the duty table on this page.
Register the car
After customs release and payment of port charges, the car is registered and plated by Switzerland's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Switzerland charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty | 0% | CIF value |
| VAT / GST | 8.1% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
| Other levies | 4% | CIF value |
Import duty
Rate: 0%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT / GST
Rate: 8.1%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Other levies
Rate: 4%. Charged on: CIF value.
Switzerland is not an EU member, so the EU-Japan EPA does not automatically apply. Import duty depends on the car's origin and HS tariff classification — it can be 0% or low under applicable Swiss tariffs, but this varies. VAT is 8.1% on the imported value, and there are other levies of approximately 4%. A CO2-based penalty can apply to higher-emission vehicles at registration, and cantonal registration fees vary.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Switzerland?
Worked examples are not shown for this market. Use the calculator below with your own car.
How long does shipping take, and which ports?
| Port | Method | Transit (days) | Freight from (sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamburg + inland to Basel/Zurich | RoRo or container | 42–56 | US$2,050 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in Switzerland?
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
Petrol and hybrid options with low CO2 output — keeps any Swiss CO2 penalty modest and running costs down in one of Europe's pricier countries.
- Models and prices
Mazda Demio
A refined compact hatchback with a small engine — well-suited to Swiss road conditions and keeps the overall import cost competitive.
- Models and prices
Suzuki Swift
Light, economical and easy to pass through the MFK inspection — a practical choice for buyers wanting simplicity.
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
Reliable and well-maintained examples are easy to find at Japanese auction — a solid conservative pick for everyday Swiss driving.
- Models and prices
Daihatsu Mira
Very low CO2 and minimal running costs — ideal if you want to sidestep Swiss CO2 penalties entirely.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Switzerland?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich | hamburg | US$720 | US$900 | 5 |
| Geneva | hamburg | US$820 | US$1,020 | 7 |
| Basel | hamburg | US$720 | US$900 | 5 |
| Bern | hamburg | US$760 | US$950 | 7 |
| Lausanne | hamburg | US$800 | US$1,000 | 7 |
| Lugano | hamburg | US$810 | US$1,010 | 7 |
How do you avoid scams when buying a car from Japan?
- Check that the exporter is a registered Japanese company: look up its corporate number and address, and prefer members of the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association.
- Ask for the original auction sheet and, after purchase, the export certificate. Both name the chassis number, which should match the invoice.
- Pay only to a company bank account in the exporter's name, never to a personal account or a money-transfer agent.
AVON INTERNATIONAL company and licence details are on the About page, and the JUMVEA member list is public. JUMVEA (exporters association) · About AVON INTERNATIONAL · Is buying a car from Japan safe?
Frequently asked questions
- Does the EU-Japan EPA apply to Switzerland?
- No — Switzerland is not an EU member, so the EPA does not apply automatically. Import duty is set by Swiss tariff rules and can be 0% or low depending on the car's HS code and origin, but the EU-Japan zero-rate is not the basis.
- Is there an age limit to import a car from Japan to Switzerland?
- No — Switzerland has no fixed age cap. The car must pass FOCBS customs clearance, the cantonal MFK technical inspection and meet Swiss emissions standards before it can be registered and driven.
- Can a right-hand-drive Japanese car be registered in Switzerland?
- Yes. Switzerland accepts both left- and right-hand drive, so right-hand-drive Japanese imports can be registered once they pass the MFK inspection and cantonal registration process.
Sources
- Federal Office for Customs and Border Security — Importing a vehicle — checked 15 October 2026
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Switzerland — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Switzerland
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Estimate only. Duties are assessed by customs on arrival, freight rates move, and rules change. Check current figures before you buy.