Switzerland Lowers Duty-Free Limits to Reduce Shopping Tourism

The Swiss government will lower the duty-free limits for goods brought into the country for personal use or as gifts from January 1, 2025.

Currently, the duty-free limit for goods brought into Switzerland is CHF 300 (approximately JPY 51,570) per person per day, which will be reduced to CHF 150 (approximately JPY 25,780).

If the value of the goods exceeds the duty-free limit, it is necessary to declare and pay the Swiss Value Added Tax, which is 2.6% for food and 8.1% for other goods. Though the reduced tax rates are not applicable in the personal customs app, they will be supported by 2026.

The aim is to reduce so-called shopping tourism, where people cross borders to shop in neighboring countries due to the high cost of living in Switzerland and bring goods back into the country. During consultations with state and economic representatives since November 2023, a majority supported the reduction. There were also opinions that the limit should be further reduced to CHF 100.