The international import and export of wood, packaging material and other items made of wood can spread dangerous pests and diseases and are therefore regulated by law. The import and export of such items are usually only possible under certain conditions.
Import of wood
The import of wood into Switzerland is subject to certain legal requirements. Some types of wood may only be imported from third countries if they are accompanied by a valid phytosanitary certificate. In addition, certain types of wood may be subject to species protection.
An EU plant passport is required for wood of the genera Juglans (walnut), Platanus (plane tree) and Pterocarya (wingnut).
For detailed regulations and further information please contact:
wald@bafu.admin.ch / Tel. +41 58 469 69 11
For further information on species protection please contact the
Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FOAG
cites@blv.admin.ch/ +41 58 462 25 41
Wood packaging
The international trade in wood packaging harbours the risk of introducing dangerous pests such as the Asian long-horned beetle, which can quickly kill healthy trees. To minimise this risk, the ‘International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15’ (ISPM 15) stipulates that wood packaging must be subjected to heat or gas treatment. It must either be labelled with an ISPM 15 stamp or be accompanied by a valid phytosanitary certificate.
Further information is available at Wood packaging in accordance with ISPM 15 (German, French, Italian).
Timber Trade Ordinance
With the introduction of the new Timber Trade Ordinance (TTO) on 1 January 2022, Switzerland has tightened measures to keep illegally harvested timber and its products off the market.
Further information is available at Timber trade regulation in Switzerland
Furniture
No phytosanitary certificate is required for furniture or furniture parts imported into Switzerland. However, the wood must fulfil certain requirements: it must be debarked (at least 2.5cm of the outer sapwood removed) and ideally have undergone a thermal or ionising treatment in order to rule out pest infestation. It is therefore advisable to purchase furniture from manufacturers who apply such processes.
In addition, certain types of wood may be subject to species protection.
For detailed regulations and further information please contact:
wald@bafu.admin.ch / Tel. +41 58 469 69 11
For further information on species protection please contact the
Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO
cites@blv.admin.ch/ Tel. +41 58 462 25 41
