Where can I find a list of prohibited contents?

Where can I find a list of import/export restrictions?

Where can I find information about sending special contents or hazardous materials?

How can cash be sent abroad securely by post?

It is prohibited to send cash by (uninsured) post. In the event of loss or theft, Swiss Post International does not accept any liability (Swiss Post General Terms and Conditions “Postal Services”, sections 2.6 and 4.4.2).

To transfer money abroad, please use a PostFinance product such as PostCash, PostGiro, Western Union, etc. Information on these products can be obtained directly from the PostFinance hotline or the e-mail address specified below:

• Private customers: 0848 888 700
• Business customers: 0848 888 900
• E-mail: postfinance@postfinance.chThe link will open in a new window

According to Track & Trace our export item is currently being held at the foreign customs office. Why has the item not been delivered?

Often items are held at a local customs office in the destination country because the recipient is responsible for customs clearance, or because the content declaration does not contain sufficient information.

In such cases, the recipient is normally notified by Customs. If this does not happen, the recipient can contact his post office or the responsible customs office directly.

If this still does not produce the desired outcome, or if the recipient does not know which customs office to call, please contact us. We will then ask the foreign postal administration for more detailed information and will be able to clarify how the recipient should proceed.

How do I get hold of the export declaration so that I can reclaim the value-added tax (VAT) on my export item?

No export declaration bearing a Customs Office stamp is required in order to reclaim the VAT from the Finance Administration if the value of the declared goods is CHF 1,000.00 or less. The receipt stamped by the office where the item was handed in is sufficient for this purpose.

For declared values in excess of CHF 1,000.00, as the sender you will automatically be sent an export customs clearance document prepared by Customs (or a stamped export declaration).

When is a consignment duly registered for export?

Consignments with a value of CHF 1,000 or more are registered electronically with the customs authorities. Customs prints out the export customs clearance document (form 11.38 on red paper) and forwards it to Swiss Post. Swiss Post sends the export customs clearance documents to the senders every 14 days.

The export customs clearance document replaces the previous duplicate of the export declaration.

Why does registration with customs not take place for values of less than CHF 1,000?

For values of less than CHF 1,000 it is sufficient to provide the sender with the receipt of mailing in accordance with the VAT ordinance as proof of export in order to claim the imputed tax deduction from the federal customs authorities.

How can I order more copies of the export customs clearance document (form 11.38)?

1. If an export customs clearance document has already been prepared and sent to the customer, a duplicate must be ordered. In this case, issuing a copy will be subject to a fee.
2. If the consignment was not registered with customs at the time of mailing, Swiss Post International will apply to the customs authorities for a retrospective export declaration which will then be provided to the customer free of charge, if the request is accepted by the customs office.
3. The following parameters must be met to order an export customs clearance document:
   1. The consignment was exported by Swiss Post.
   2. The export date of the consignment must not be more than 60 days in the past.
   3. The value of the consignment is at least CHF 1,000.
   4. A commercial invoice (copy) is available that confirms the information.
   5. An original receipt for import customs clearance in the respective country or confirmation from the Swiss embassy or similar representative office abroad that the goods are in the respective country is available.

To whom do I apply for an export customs clearance document?

The request can be made by telephone (0848 639 639) to Customer Service “Postverzollung”.

Written applications may be addressed to postverzollung@swisspost.comThe link will open in a new window.

How do I fill out an export declaration?

The export declaration shown in the figure below should only be used for letter items weighing up to 2 kg. It should be completed as follows:.

1. Sender's name and address
2. Recipient's name and exact address
3. Recipient’s telephone number
4. Designation of content
5. Type of Movement Certificate (EUR. 1) and number
6. Number of export licence and date of issue
7. Tick box if a commercial invoice is enclosed (and indicate number of invoice, if applicable)
8. Quantity and unit of measurement of each article
9. Detailed description of contents
10. Value of contents in CHF
11. Net weight
12. Tariff number and key (for commercial items only)
13. Country of origin of goods
14. Total value of goods
15. Gross weight of item
16. Postage costs
17. Comments
18. Date and sender's signature

The export declaration for URGENT and PostPac International items is part of the waybill and therefore does not have to be completed in detail.

Where can I find out about the import and export regulations?

1. In the Swiss Post International Mail calculator
2. On the Swiss Customs website: www.zoll.ch
3. From one of the customs offices in Basel, 061 201 22 22, Zurich, 044 242 26 10 or Geneva, 022 717 77 30.
4. From the embassies or consulates of the various countries.

When is the green Customs Declaration (CN 22) used for the content declaration and how is it completed?

The green Customs Declaration (CN 22) is used to declare the content of letter items worth up to CHF 700 and weighing up to 2 kg.
The green Customs Declaration (CN 22) should be completed as indicated below.

1. Designation of content
2. Detailed description of contents
3. Net weight Value of goods
4. Value of goods
5. Total weight
6. Total value of goods and indication of currency used
7. For commercial items only: HS tariff number and country of origin of goods
8. Date and sender's signature

When is form CN 23 used as a customs declaration and how is it completed?

The Customs Declaration (CN 23) is used to declare goods worth up to CHF 700 where the sender does not wish to disclose the effective value of the goods to the recipient and the declared value of the goods exceeds CHF 700. The Customs Declaration is used for letter-post items weighing up to 2 kg.

The Customs Declaration (CN 23) should be completed as indicated below.

1. Sender's name and address
2. Recipient's name and exact address
3. Recipient’s telephone number
4. Designation of content
5. Type of Movement Certificate (EUR. 1) and number
6. Number of export licence and date of issue
7. Tick box if a commercial invoice is enclosed (and indicate number of invoice, if applicable)
8. Quantity and unit of measurement of each article
9. Detailed description of contents
10. Value of contents in CHF
11. Net weight
12. Tariff number and key (for commercial items only)
13. Country of origin of goods
14. Total value of goods
15. Gross weight of item
16. Postage costs
17. Comments
18. Date and sender's signature