Customs tariff numbers and customs tariff information
You need to know the customs tariff number of the product you are importing. If you do not know it, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security’s (FOCBS) electronic customs tariff tool Tares will help you to find it. Customs tariff information is available from the FOCBS.
Customs tariff numbers
Like most customs tariffs worldwide, the electronic customs tariff system Tares is based on the international Harmonized System (HS). You can see how customs tariff numbers are structured in the image to the left.
Customs tariff information
The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security’s (FOCBS) provides binding customs tariff information on request.
The FOCBS processes requests in the order in which they are received. If the details required for the request are submitted in full, the FOCBS will generally provide the information within 40 days.
The electronic customs tariff tool Tares
The electronic customs tariff tool Tares gives an overview of the Swiss working tariff. This tool is provided by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security’s (FOCBS) and can be used to find customs tariff numbers free of charge online.
You can select the date, the country of origin or destination and the direction of transport (import/export). Then enter the eight-digit tariff number and, if available, the (statistical) key. Click on the magnifying glass symbol to find the current customs tariff.
Customs tariffs
The customs tariff is used to calculate the customs duties an importer is required to pay. It varies based on the type of goods and country of origin and is set by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security’s (FOCBS).
Quota tariffs and out-of-quota tariffs
If the importer has a share of the quota, the relevant goods can be imported at the lower quota tariff (QT) or at zero duty. If the importer does not have a share of the quota, it must pay the significantly higher out-of-quota tariff (OQT). Imports at the OQT are possible at any time and in unlimited quantities.
Allocation of shares for agricultural product quotas
Tariff quota shares for many products and product groups are allocated by the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG). This applies to meat, sausage products, fruit, vegetables, potatoes, sheep, cattle and dairy products. You can find more information on these products on the page Einfuhr (Landwirtschaftliche Produkte und Fleisch / Tiere) (is currently 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).