Thinking of Buying a German Car While Living in Switzerland?

Thinking of Buying a German Car While Living in Switzerland? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
If you’re living in Switzerland and considering buying a German car, the best option is to import it directly from the country of origin. This way, you get access to a wider selection of models from various dealerships or showrooms, along with the real manufacturer warranties. If you’re wondering how to buy a car from Germany and import it to Switzerland, this article is for you.
What You Need for Purchasing and Importing a Car
The process of importing a car involves two main stages:

1. Deregistering the Car in Germany
2. Registering the Car in Switzerland (Customs Clearance)

During the first stage, you will complete the necessary paperwork in Germany to prepare the car for export. A well-organized first stage avoids issues at customs and speeds up the registration process. You can fill out the import declaration “e-dec” yourself or use local companies, which typically charge between 100-150 Swiss Francs. During this stage, make sure to arrange temporary transit plates and insurance, which should ideally cover at least 30 days.
For the car to be registered in Switzerland, it must meet the official Swiss standards for construction and equipment. An EU certificate will exempt you from noise, emissions, and harmful discharge tests. The car must also meet the age requirements, which can vary depending on the country you’re importing it from.
Of course, you could buy a car in Switzerland to avoid these extra steps, but it will likely be more expensive. Buying from the manufacturer’s country is more cost-effective.
How to Do It? Simple!
Contact CAR-CHECK24, and our specialists will help you find a model that fits your requirements. We’ll also take care of all the necessary export documentation.
Documentation Required for Registration in the Canton
After customs clearance and receiving the import declaration, you need to go through the Motorfahrzeugprüfung(local TÜV). For this, you’ll need the following documents:

• EU conformity certificate
• Insurance (transit plates) for 30 days
• Invoice or purchase contract
• Identification
• Customs import declaration (e-dec)
• Proof of origin from the seller

It’s essential to check with the Canton’s authorities where you reside, as import regulations may vary by region, and additional documentation might be required.
Customs Duties
An essential part of car registration in any country is customs duties. For Switzerland, the following duties apply:

• For passenger cars: CHF 12.- CHF 15.- per 100 kg, depending on the car’s weight.
• For motorcycles: CHF 37.- per 100 kg gross weight.

For countries that have a free trade agreement (including EU countries), no customs duty is required. A preferential tariff applies. This means that if you’re buying a used car from Germany and importing it to Switzerland, you won’t incur extra charges beyond the VAT. The VAT rate is 7.7% of the taxable amount. The taxable amount is the price you paid for the vehicle as per the sales contract, including all official expenses incurred until the car reaches Switzerland, as well as entry duties and car tax.
Buying a Car from Germany Is Easy with the Help of Experts
Buying a car from Germany is simple when you have the assistance of a specialist from CAR-CHECK24,. Call us today, and we’ll be happy to assist you with your car purchase and import process. We are open for new orders!