Allocation procedures for tariff quotas
This page provides importers with information on tariff quotas and allocation procedures. It also explains why quotas exist and how the four allocation procedures (auction; market share; first come, first served at the approvals office; first come, first served at the Swiss border) work.
Tariff quotas
Many agricultural products are subject to tariff quotas. These are requirements in the agricultural sector to grant market access to a specific quantity of a product at a lower tariff rate when certain conditions apply. There are two types of allocation: the individual allocations administered by the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) and the collective quotas (preferential tariff quotas, global quotas) administered by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS).
If an importer has a share of the quota, it can import the relevant goods at the lower quota tariff (QT) or at zero duty. Depending on the product and its availability in Switzerland, quotas can be utilised for a limited period of time. You can find more information on the individual products in the ‘Products’ section (is currently only available in GER/FRE/ITA).
If an importer does not have a share of the quota, it must pay the significantly higher out-of-quota tariff (OQT). Quota shares can be passed on to other market participants. Imports at the OQT are possible at any time and in unlimited quantities. Please note, however, that the OQT can be very high.
You can find information on customs tariffs in Tares, the FOCBS electronic custums tariff tool.
Quota share holders are published on Publication of quota shares (this page is only available in GER/FRE/ITA).
Auctions
The FOAG announces tariff quota auctions on its website. All individuals, legal entities and groups of persons can participate in the auctions. Their residence or registered office must be located within the Swiss customs territory. Participants also require a valid general import licence, which can be applied for via eKontingente (eKontingente is only available in GER/FRE/ITA).
Participants can submit a maximum of five different bids for the auction until the bidding deadline. The FOAG distributes the quota quantity starting with the highest price offered and continuing in decreasing order of prices offered. Auctions take place at eKontingente (eKontingente is only available in GER/FRE/ITA), and the results are published in its public area.
Market share
Distribution by market share takes account of imports and promotion of Swiss production during a specified period (the assessment period). Promotion of Swiss production means that the importer has purchased domestic agricultural products of standard trade quality. Promotion of Swiss production can only be claimed if the products have been purchased and paid for directly via the producer. The percentage shares of the total market are allocated to the importer. When a specific quantity of a quota is released, each importer receives its allocated share.
First come, first served at the approvals office
Applicants receive shares of the quota from a date specified in the ordinance. The FOAG allocates the shares in the order in which applications are received (first come, first served). The allocation continues until the quota has been filled.
First come, first served at the Swiss border
The quota is opened on the date specified in the ordinance. Goods may be imported as long as the quota has not been filled. Because these quotas are allocated based on the customs declaration date, they are administered by the FOCBS. Current quota statuses can be found at the Link : Quota status (FOCBS) (Quota status is only available in GER/FRE/ITA).
Further information
The FOAG provides a reduced English-language version of its website that does not include all further information such as documents, legislation or links. These can be found on the pages in the three official languages (German, French and Italian).