Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Switzerland
Switzerland taxes cars by weight, not value — often the cheapest import math in Europe for high-value vehicles. We run T1 bonded transit through Rotterdam or Bremerhaven straight to Basel and Zurich.
Switzerland at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,800+
- Ocean transit
- 14–22 days incl. trucking
- Arrival ports
- via Rotterdam · Bremerhaven
- Import duty + VAT
- Duty by weight + 8.1% VAT + 4%
- Duty by weight
- ~CHF 12–15 per 100 kg
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Switzerland: What You Need to Know
Switzerland sits outside the EU, so your vehicle crosses Europe in T1 bonded status — no EU duty or VAT applies on the way through Rotterdam or Bremerhaven, and Swiss customs is the only authority you settle with, usually at Basel. The Swiss formula is unusual: customs duty is charged by weight at roughly CHF 12–15 per 100 kg, so an 1,800 kg car owes only about CHF 250 in duty regardless of whether it's worth $20,000 or $200,000.
On top of the weight duty come 8.1% VAT — the lowest rate in Western Europe — and a 4% automobile tax on value. For collector cars over 30 years old, Switzerland adds a sweetener: simplified homologation as a veteran vehicle, skipping the technical conversions modern U.S. imports need. That combination makes Switzerland a favorite destination for six-figure American classics and low-mileage performance cars.
Key takeaway
Swiss landed cost = ~CHF 12–15 per 100 kg duty + 8.1% VAT + 4% automobile tax. The higher your vehicle's value, the better Switzerland compares to the EU's flat 10% duty — on a $100,000 car you save roughly $9,700 in duty alone.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Switzerland
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Rotterdam → Basel (truck) | 14–20 days | Weekly |
| Baltimore, MD | Rotterdam → Zurich (truck) | 15–21 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Bremerhaven → Basel (truck) | 16–22 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Rotterdam → Basel (truck) | 20–26 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Switzerland from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to Switzerland, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches Switzerland fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to Switzerland
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $1,800 – $2,600 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $3,100 – $4,400 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $4,200 – $6,000 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | Custom quote | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Estimate your landed cost to Switzerland →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentSwitzerland Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | CHF 12–15 / 100 kg | 8.1% + 4% | 4% automobile tax on value |
| Collector cars (30+ yrs) | By weight | 8.1% | Simplified veteran registration |
| Motorcycles | By weight | 8.1% | No 4% automobile tax |
| Boats & yachts | By weight | 8.1% | Low weight-based amounts |
| Heavy machinery | By weight | 8.1% | Category dependent |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Relocating to Switzerland?
Personal effects rules let you import your vehicle free of duty, VAT, and automobile tax if you've owned and used it for 6+ months before moving. Combined with the T1 transit through EU ports, your only formality is one Swiss declaration — we handle it end to end.
What We Ship to Switzerland
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Switzerland's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Switzerland.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Switzerland.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Switzerland
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → Switzerland Routes
New York / New Jersey → Rotterdam → Basel (truck)
14–20 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Baltimore, MD → Rotterdam → Zurich (truck)
15–21 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Bremerhaven → Basel (truck)
16–22 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Rotterdam → Basel (truck)
20–26 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Switzerland Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
14–22 days incl. truckingRegular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at via Rotterdam · Bremerhaven.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Switzerland. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Because Switzerland charges customs duty by weight, not value — roughly CHF 12–15 per 100 kg. An 1,800 kg car owes only about CHF 250 in duty whether it's worth $20,000 or $200,000. Against the EU's flat 10% duty, a $100,000 car saves around $9,700 in duty alone. Add the 8.1% VAT (Western Europe's lowest) and 4% automobile tax, and Switzerland is hard to beat for six-figure vehicles.
No. Your vehicle crosses Europe in T1 bonded status, so no EU duty or VAT applies on the way through Rotterdam or Bremerhaven. Swiss customs — usually at Basel — is the only authority you settle with. We open and close the T1 transit document so the car moves sealed from the port to the Swiss border without triggering any EU charges.
Plan on 14–22 days door-to-door including the trucking leg. We sail weekly from the East Coast (New York, Baltimore) to Rotterdam or Bremerhaven, then truck the car under bond to Basel or Zurich. East Coast origins are fastest at 14–16 days; Houston runs biweekly at 20–26 days. We confirm the exact vessel and ETA when you book.
Cars over 30 years old can be homologated as veteran (Veteranenfahrzeug) vehicles, which skips the technical conversions modern U.S. imports normally need and simplifies registration. They still pay duty by weight but only the 8.1% VAT — no 4% automobile tax. Combined with weight-based duty, that makes Switzerland one of the most attractive homes in Europe for American classics. We confirm veteran eligibility per VIN before shipping.
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