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Switzerland is one of the most attractive markets for German and Austrian online stores. It offers higher purchasing power, better margins, and fewer competitors than in the EU. Nevertheless, many retailers are hesitant to expand across the border—because importing to Switzerland seems complicated at first glance.
This guide clears up the most common misconceptions and shows you, step by step, what you really need to sell to Switzerland from Germany or Austria—and what you can do without.
Why Switzerland Is So Attractive to Online Stores in Germany and Austria
Switzerland is not an EU member country—and that is precisely what makes it interesting. For retailers who get off to the right start, this creates a significant margin advantage over their home market.
The math is simple:
- Retail prices in Switzerland are typically about 25% higher than elsewhere. Swiss consumers are accustomed to higher prices and accept prices that would be considered too high in Germany or Austria.
- About 11% less VAT compared to Germany (19%) and Austria (20%). The standard VAT rate in Switzerland is 8.1%.
- Retail prices in Switzerland are typically about 25% higher than elsewhere. Swiss consumers are accustomed to higher prices and accept prices that would be considered too high in Germany or Austria.
- Less approximately 5% in import and shipping costs incurred due to customs clearance and cross-border shipping.
All in all, this results in a margin increase of about 31% compared to business in Germany and Austria alone.
In addition, there are 8.7 million potential customers who shop online just like their neighbors—but have significantly fewer vendors to choose from. Those who ship from the EU to Switzerland face less competition than in the German market.
What You Need to Sell to Switzerland from Germany or Austria
Importing from Switzerland sounds more complicated than it is. In practice, you need exactly six things—and most of them are one-time setup steps.
Swiss Tax ID Number
Once your revenue in Switzerland reaches a certain threshold, you’ll need a Swiss VAT number. Registration is done online and takes one to two weeks. You don’t need to have a Swiss company to do this—the tax number is sufficient.
EORI number in Germany or Austria
Most online stores that import goods from Asia already have this number. If not, you can apply for it free of charge at the tax office.
Invoices without German/Austrian VAT
Shipments to Switzerland are considered export shipments and are therefore exempt from German and Austrian value-added tax. Invoices are issued net. All common e-commerce platforms—Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento—can reflect this in their store settings.
Customs Tariff Number (HS Code) for Your Products
Every product must be classified for Swiss customs. That may sound time-consuming, but in practice it’s a one-time task. If you already import from overseas, your import documents provide a good starting point. An experienced fulfillment and customs partner can help ensure correct classification.
Shipment with all customs duties paid (DDP)
DDP stands for “Delivered Duty Paid” and means that the retailer covers all import costs—customs duties, taxes, and fees. For Swiss customers, placing an order feels just like shopping at a local Swiss store. No additional customs duties, no surprises at the doorstep.
This isn’t optional—it’s a requirement. Swiss customers who receive a customs invoice after placing an order won’t order again. Setting up DDP correctly is the most important step in the entire expansion into Switzerland.
Reliable Fulfillment Near the Border
Fast delivery is standard in the Swiss market. Ideally, everything comes from a single source: warehousing, picking and packing, customs clearance, and handover to Swiss Post. A fulfillment center near the border—for example, in Vorarlberg—enables next-day delivery throughout Switzerland.
Delivery via Swiss Post is the gold standard: It guarantees complete comparability with local stores and the highest level of trust among Swiss recipients.
What You DON’T Need—The Most Common Misconceptions
Just as important as what you need is what you can do without. Many retailers overestimate the complexity of importing goods into Switzerland.
No Swiss warehouse is required. If you have the right setup—fast fulfillment near the border, a well-established customs process, and delivery via Swiss Post—you don’t need your own warehouse in Switzerland. You can ship from Austria or southern Germany just as quickly as a Swiss shipper.
A Swiss company is not required. A Swiss tax ID number is sufficient. As a German or Austrian company, you can sell directly to Switzerland without having to establish a GmbH or AG there.
No complicated international accounting. Swiss VAT is reported once a quarter. The summary is sent to the DE/AT tax advisor. In practice, this takes less than an hour per quarter.
The Swiss Formula: How to Calculate the Cost of Market Entry
For merchants who already sell in Germany or Austria, the calculation generally looks like this:
| Factor | Impact |
| Higher sales prices (Swiss price level) | approx. +25% |
| Lower VAT (8.1% instead of 19/20%) | approx. +11% |
| Import & Shipping Costs | approx. −5% |
| Increase in net margin | approx. +31% |
These figures vary depending on the product category and shipping volume. For high-value products—such as fashion, beauty, dietary supplements, and sports gear—the margin advantage is often even more pronounced.
DDP Shipping to Switzerland – Explained Step by Step
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is at the heart of a well-functioning logistics system in Switzerland. Here’s how the process works:
- The customer places an order in the store. The price includes all taxes and fees—the customer pays exactly what they see. No additional charges.
- The order is being sent to fulfillment. The package is picked and prepared for shipment.
- Customs clearance before crossing the border. All customs documents are prepared: HS code, value of goods, and sender and recipient information. Customs clearance is handled on behalf of the merchant.
- Transfer to Swiss Post. The package crosses the border fully cleared through customs. No hold-up at customs, no delays.
- Delivery to the customer. The recipient receives the package just like a regular Swiss order. No customs clearance required, no customs invoice.
The key point is that this process is fully automated. An experienced fulfillment partner handles hundreds of these shipments every day—once the initial setup is complete, it requires no additional operational effort on the store’s part.
Next Step: Launch Expansion in Switzerland
Switzerland is not a gamble—it’s a predictable market with above-average margins. Anyone who meets the six basic requirements can tap into a market of 8.7 million customers with strong purchasing power without needing a local branch, a Swiss company, or complicated accounting.
MH Direkt supports online retailers in Germany and Austria with the entire process of importing goods into Switzerland: from DDP processing and customs clearance to delivery via Swiss Post. All operations are handled from a single warehouse in Vorarlberg, near the Swiss border.
→ Learn more about our Swiss fulfillment solution
Questions? Call us directly at: +43 5574 8010