Customs documents for moving to Switzerland

Specific to Switzerland

On top of the 6 needed for any European move.

• Swiss customs Form 18.44 — original, wet-signed

  We send itOriginal by post

  Form 18.44 is how you claim duty-free entry for your household effects in Switzerland, which is outside the EU customs union. Swiss customs want it in duplicate, each copy signed by you in ink — a scan, photo or PDF of a signature is not accepted, and without the signed form your goods cannot be cleared duty-free.

  How to get it: We post the form to you. Sign both copies in pen and post them back to us — they have to physically travel with your shipment. Allow a week for post in each direction.

• Swiss residence permit or confirmation of application

  Swiss customs want evidence of your right to live there before granting relief on your belongings.

  How to get it: Your cantonal migration office issues the permit. Until you have it, upload the written confirmation that your application has been submitted.

• Swiss lease or property title

  Swiss customs ask for proof that you have bought or rented the home your goods are going to.

  How to get it: Upload the signed lease or the property title deed to your move portal.

Needed for any European move

Two of these we produce for you.

• Passport photo page

  Customs need to see who is claiming relief. A clear photo of the page with your picture and details is enough.

  How to get it: Photograph or scan the page — make sure all four corners and the machine-readable lines at the bottom are visible.

• Itemised valued inventory

  We make this

  Every customs authority requires a full list of what you are shipping with a replacement value against each line. It is the legal basis of your declaration.

  How to get it: We build this from the inventory you already entered for your quote. Add a rough replacement value per item in your portal and we generate the signed document for you.

• Proof of your home in the UK

  For a move to an EU country, relief is only granted if your normal residence has been outside the EU for at least the last 12 months, so customs want documents that cover that whole period. Switzerland has its own rules rather than this test, but Swiss customs can still ask for evidence that you are leaving your UK home.

  How to get it: A P60, council tax bills, or utility bills. One document rarely covers a full year — two or three spanning the twelve months is normal and expected.

• Proof of your new address

  Evidence that the move is genuine and that you will actually be living there.

  How to get it: A signed rental contract, property deeds, or a notaire's certificate of ownership.

• Authorisation for our destination agent

  We send it

  Lets our customs agent in your destination country file the declaration on your behalf, so you do not have to attend in person.

  How to get it: We send it to you pre-filled — read it, sign it, upload it back.

• Ownership and use declaration

  We send it

  Confirms you have owned and used these goods for at least six months, which is one of the conditions for duty-free entry.

  How to get it: We send it pre-filled from your inventory — check it, sign it, upload it back.

Only if they apply to you

Our checker asks the questions that decide these, so you are never handed a list of things you do not need.

• Proof of your home in the UK

  For a move to an EU country, relief is only granted if your normal residence has been outside the EU for at least the last 12 months, so customs want documents that cover that whole period. Switzerland has its own rules rather than this test, but Swiss customs can still ask for evidence that you are leaving your UK home.

  How to get it: A P60, council tax bills, or utility bills. One document rarely covers a full year — two or three spanning the twelve months is normal and expected.

• Ownership and use declaration

  We send it

  Confirms you have owned and used these goods for at least six months, which is one of the conditions for duty-free entry.

  How to get it: We send it pre-filled from your inventory — check it, sign it, upload it back.

• Second-home move — duty and VAT usually apply

  We send it

  Transfer of residence relief only covers a move of your main home. For a second home in an EU country, customs will assess duty and import VAT on the declared value of your goods. Switzerland has its own rules for holiday homes, and your coordinator will check whether yours qualify. We need you to acknowledge this before we ship.

  How to get it: Your coordinator will talk you through the likely cost and send an acknowledgement to sign.

• V5C logbook and purchase invoice

  A vehicle is a separate customs entry from your household goods and needs its own paperwork.

  How to get it: Your V5C registration document and the original purchase invoice. If the vehicle is financed you will also need a letter of no interest from the lender.

• Proof of inheritance

  Inherited goods are relieved under a different provision from a normal household move, and need evidence of the bequest.

  How to get it: The death certificate plus the will, grant of probate, or a solicitor's letter confirming the bequest.

• Proof of income or pension

  Where there is no employment contract at the destination, customs may ask how you are supporting yourself. This substitutes for it.

  How to get it: A pension statement, or recent bank statements showing regular income.

General guidance compiled from published customs information, not legal advice. Requirements change and vary by circumstance — your coordinator confirms the exact list for your move.