Last year Switzerland’s government announced plans to change the rules on charging VAT on imported goods.
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Currently, most things ordered abroad and sent through the post to Switzerland that attract VAT of less than CHF 5, are waived through customs free of charge.
This means if you buy clothing worth less than CHF 62.50, or books worth less than CHF 200, there is no import charge – a VAT charge of 8% on CHF 62.50 of clothing, and a VAT charge of 2.5% on CHF 200 of books, both come to CHF 5. It is important to note that freight charges are included when calculating the parcel’s value.
The new rules, which require all foreign retailers generating annual global revenue of more than CHF 100,000 a year to charge Swiss VAT regardless of order value, were to come into force on 1 January 2018.
Yesterday, the government agreed to delay implementation until 1 January 2019. According to 20 Minutes, Swiss Post needs more time set up the required technology.
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