When you travel abroad, you may not be aware that some things you purchased in foreign countries are banned from entry into Switzerland, or that you need a permission to bring them in. What are they?
While some people intentionally attempt to smuggle forbidden objects into Switzerland, most travellers who are ‘caught’ during border checks (random as they are), do so inadevertently.
Some items are restricted, some need special authorisation, while others are banned altogether.
What you should pay attention to
Travellers are often unaware that a souvenir they purchased on a holiday abroad may contain a product derived from a protected species.
According to the government, “it makes no difference whether the product was found in the wild – such as corals on the beach or feathers in the forest – or was purchased.”
Bringing any living plant matter, such as plants, fruits, vegetables, roots, cut flowers, and seeds into Switzerland from outside the European Union and EFTA states (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) is banned.
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This is what you can bring back from foreign countries without restrictions (spoiler alert: some of these items are decidedly bizarre).
Declaration and inspection requirements are waived for the following products, according to the government:
- Up to 125 g of caviar per person
- Two crocodile leather products
- Thee conches shells
- Three kg off shells of the giant clam per person 4 pcs. seahorses
- Three rain sticks made from cactus stems
- Agarwood: 1 kg wood shavings or chips, 24 ml oil, 2 sets of wooden beads or prayer chains, 2 necklaces or bracelets
All other ‘exotic’ souvenirs — for made instance, those made of ivory, coral or turtle shell, cactus and orchids — are either banned or require a permit.
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Can you bring in food?
You may want to bring food of animal or plant origin — for instance, meat, dairy products, honey, fruit, vegetables — into Switzerland.
However, the government says these products are often prohibited (or at least restricted) in order to prevent the introduction or spread of illnesses.
“This applies particularly in the case of food brought from non-EU countries.”
What about medications?
According to the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG), “travellers are allowed to carry medicinal products containing narcotic or psychotropic substances without an import or export permit, provided that the quantity carried is no greater than that required for 30 days.”
In other words, you may bring in what you need for a month for your own personal use, but not for someone else.
The website of the drug regulatory agency, Swissmedic, has more information about what medicines you can, and cannot, bring with you to Switzerland.
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What could happen if you bring in any of the forbidden items?
They will be seized by Customs if they are prohibited, or if you don’t have a required export / import permit.
Even worse, if you don’t declare these goods when coming into Switzerland and they are discovered at the border, criminal proceedings could be filed against you.
To avoid any problems at customs on your return to Switzerland, find out about the specific import regulations that apply via the Swiss customs authorities’ app.
This video gives you an idea of ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts.’Other ‘no-no’s’
There is also a long list of items that you definitely cannot bring into Switzerland, or that require special permissions.
They include weapons, fireworks, counterfeited watches and other products, and radar warning devices, among others.
You can find the complete list on BAZG’s website.
