Import a Car from Switzerland to Germany: Customs and Registration

Importing a car from Switzerland means bringing a vehicle purchased in Switzerland into Germany, completing the customs clearance process and registering it for legal use on German roads.

Unlike buying a vehicle within the European Union, Switzerland is considered a non-EU country for customs purposes. As a result, you will generally need to pay 10% customs duty and 19% import VAT, as well as complete customs procedures with both the Swiss and German authorities.

However, if you have a valid Certificate of Conformity (COC) and the correct proof of origin, importing a Swiss vehicle into Germany is usually a straightforward process.

This guide explains the complete procedure for importing a car from Switzerland to Germany, including customs clearance, taxes, the EUR.1 certificate, COC requirements, TÜV inspection and German registration.

If you are looking for a broader overview covering vehicle imports from multiple countries, see our guide on importing a car into Germany.

If, on the other hand, you want to export a car from Germany to Switzerland, the process is different and must be completed through the Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security.

Why Switzerland Is a Special Case: A Non-EU Country Instead of the EU Single Market

Switzerland is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), but it is not part of the European Union or the European Economic Area (EEA).

For vehicle imports, this means you must complete a full customs clearance process: first the export procedure in Switzerland and then the import procedure in Germany. This is the main difference between importing a car from Switzerland and importing one from another EU country.

The biggest differences concern customs duties and taxes. From a technical perspective, however, importing a vehicle from Switzerland is often much easier than many people expect.

Most vehicles sold in Switzerland already have EU Whole Vehicle Type Approval. If the vehicle has a valid Certificate of Conformity, the registration process is therefore very similar to importing a vehicle from another EU country.

Which Documents Do You Need? The Importance of the COC Certificate

Without the correct documentation, your imported vehicle cannot clear customs or be registered in Germany. Before purchasing the vehicle, make sure you have the following documents:

• the Swiss vehicle registration certificate, cancelled where applicable,
• the purchase invoice or sales contract proving ownership,
• the Certificate of Conformity (COC),
• the German customs clearance certificate issued after import,
• a valid roadworthiness inspection (HU/TÜV) and electronic insurance confirmation (eVB),
• your passport or national identity card and proof of residence.

The Certificate of Conformity, usually known as the COC, is the most important technical document.

It is issued by the vehicle manufacturer and confirms that the vehicle complies with an approved European type approval. Thanks to the COC certificate, the German registration authority can transfer all the vehicle’s technical specifications directly into its registration system, allowing you to avoid an expensive and time-consuming individual technical inspection.

A common misconception is that Swiss vehicles do not have a COC certificate. This is not true.

Whether a vehicle has a COC depends on its EU type approval, not on the country in which it was first registered. Most vehicles sold in Switzerland in recent years were manufactured for the European market and therefore already have a valid Certificate of Conformity.

A missing or invalid COC generally affects:

• grey imports,
• special editions manufactured for non-European markets,
• very old vehicles.

In these cases, registration usually requires an individual technical approval under §21 StVZO.

Good to know: A COC certificate can replace the individual technical approval, but it does not replace the mandatory German roadworthiness inspection. Vehicles older than three years still require a valid HU/TÜV inspection, or an inspection completed by another authorised testing organisation, before registration.

If you are unsure whether a Certificate of Conformity is available for your Swiss vehicle, you can check this in advance with COC-Online. In most cases, you only need the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Exporting the Vehicle from Switzerland: Customs, EUR.1 Certificate and Export Plates

Before leaving Switzerland, the vehicle must be officially declared for export.

Two factors will largely determine the total cost of importing the car:

• the proof of origin, normally provided through an EUR.1 certificate,
• the possible refund of Swiss VAT.

EUR.1 Certificate of Origin: How to Avoid Paying Customs Duty

Under the free trade agreement between the European Union and Switzerland, the standard 10% German import duty is reduced to 0%, provided you can prove that the vehicle was manufactured within the EU or an EFTA member state.

The key factor is where the vehicle was manufactured, not where it was purchased.

For example:

• A vehicle manufactured in Europe may qualify for duty-free import.
• A vehicle manufactured in the USA, Japan or South Korea will normally not qualify, even if it was purchased in Switzerland.

For vehicles worth up to €6,000, a valid declaration of origin on the invoice may be sufficient.

For vehicles worth more than €6,000, you generally need the official EUR.1 Movement Certificate.

Always ask the seller to provide the correct proof of origin. Otherwise, German customs may charge the full 10% import duty.

Swiss VAT Refund and Vehicle Export

If you purchase the vehicle from a Swiss dealership, you may be entitled to reclaim the Swiss VAT once the vehicle has been officially exported from Switzerland, provided the export is properly documented and completed within the required deadline.

When purchasing from a private seller, there is generally no Swiss VAT to reclaim.

To transport the vehicle from Switzerland to Germany, you have two main options:

• transport it on a trailer or with a professional vehicle transporter,
• drive it using Swiss export licence plates, also known as customs export plates.

Swiss export plates typically cost between CHF 300 and CHF 400, although the exact amount depends on the canton, insurance period and applicable administrative charges.

Germany may also charge a temporary one-month vehicle tax for an imported vehicle used during the transfer process. This should not be confused with the annual German vehicle tax payable after registration.

Importing the Vehicle into Germany: Customs Duty and Import VAT

Once you arrive in Germany, you must complete the German customs import procedure.

For passenger cars imported from a non-EU country:

• 10% customs duty normally applies,
• with valid EUR.1 proof of origin, this customs duty may be reduced to 0%.

Motorcycles and trailers may be subject to different customs rates:

• motorcycles: approximately 6% to 8%,
• trailers: approximately 2.7%.

One important point concerns the calculation of German import VAT, known as Einfuhrumsatzsteuer.

The 19% import VAT is not calculated solely on the purchase price. Instead, it is generally calculated on:

• the vehicle purchase price,
• transport and insurance costs up to the European Union border,
• any customs duty payable.

After customs clearance has been completed, German customs will issue the customs clearance certificate, known as the Zoll-Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung.

You will need this document later when registering the vehicle in Germany.

How Much Does It Cost to Import a Car from Switzerland?

The total cost depends largely on whether the vehicle qualifies for duty-free import using an EUR.1 certificate of origin.

The following example assumes:

• a purchase price of €20,000,
• a used vehicle,
• a vehicle manufactured within the European Union.

As this example shows, having valid EUR.1 proof of origin can save more than €2,400.

Please note that the transport and customs-handling costs shown above are estimates. They are not official government fees and can vary depending on the transport provider, route and customs agent.

Registration fees and annual German vehicle tax apply to every vehicle registered in Germany and are therefore not strictly import costs.

You can find a more detailed breakdown in our guide to vehicle registration costs in Germany.

Registering a Swiss Car in Germany: TÜV, eVB and Registration Plates

Once the customs clearance procedure has been completed, you can register your Swiss vehicle in Germany.

To register the imported vehicle at the German registration office, known as the Zulassungsstelle, you will normally need the following documents:

1. The German customs clearance certificate (Zoll-Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung) issued after import.
2. The Certificate of Conformity (COC) or, if no COC is available, a full individual approval report under §21 StVZO.
3. A valid roadworthiness inspection (HU/TÜV) for vehicles older than three years.
4. Your electronic insurance confirmation, known as the eVB number.
5. The original vehicle documents, purchase invoice or sales contract, and your passport or national identity card.

If you have a valid COC certificate, the registration authority can transfer all the technical specifications directly into the German registration system. This significantly speeds up the process and allows you to obtain German registration plates more easily.

If no Certificate of Conformity is available, you must first complete an individual vehicle inspection under §21 StVZO. This is considerably more expensive and time-consuming.

For more information, see our guide explaining how long vehicle registration takes in Germany.

Is Importing a Car from Switzerland Worth It?

Swiss used cars are well known for being well maintained, carefully serviced and often better equipped than comparable vehicles available elsewhere in Europe.

However, whether importing a vehicle from Switzerland is financially worthwhile depends on the total import costs.

Are Cars Cheaper in Switzerland Than in Germany?

In some cases, yes. Vehicle purchase prices in Switzerland can be lower than in Germany.

However, you must also take the following costs into account:

• customs duty,
• import VAT,
• transport costs,
• technical inspection and registration expenses.

Without valid EUR.1 proof of origin, these additional costs can easily eliminate any savings.

On the other hand, when the vehicle qualifies for duty-free import, and especially when purchasing a high-value vehicle, importing from Switzerland can represent excellent value.

What Should You Check Before Buying?

Before purchasing a Swiss vehicle, make sure you verify the following:

• Is a valid Certificate of Conformity (COC) available?
• Was the vehicle manufactured in the EU or another qualifying EFTA country, making it eligible for EUR.1 duty-free treatment?
• Does the vehicle specification match your expectations? Swiss-market vehicles can differ from German versions.
• Is the service history complete?
• Does the final purchase price remain attractive after adding customs duty, import VAT, transport and registration costs?

In general, importing a car from Switzerland makes financial sense whenever the price advantage, or the opportunity to purchase a specific model unavailable elsewhere, clearly outweighs the additional customs and administrative procedures.

For a well-maintained European-manufactured vehicle with a valid COC certificate, importing from Switzerland is often an excellent option.

Special Case: Classic Cars Imported from Switzerland

Classic vehicles may benefit from more favourable import rules.

A vehicle may qualify as a collector’s item if it:

• is more than 30 years old,
• remains largely in its original condition,
• is no longer in production.

When German customs classifies the vehicle as a collector’s item:

• import duty is usually waived,
• import VAT may be reduced from 19% to 7%.

The final decision is made by the competent customs office. You should therefore be prepared to provide documentation proving the vehicle’s age, historical relevance and original condition.