15
Years in international removals
850k+
Verified customer enquiries
3
FIDI-accredited partners
Trusted International Moving Network
Accredited Relocation Specialists
Switzerland is one of the world's most active international relocation destinations. Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Zug attract large numbers of British finance, pharmaceutical and technology professionals on corporate assignments, as well as private individuals relocating for quality of life. Switzerland's position outside the EU creates distinct customs and residency requirements that differ significantly from all other European destinations. What follows is the ten checks that separate a good Swiss route mover from a poor one, drawn from FIDI FAIM and BAR Overseas standards, so you can apply them to any quote you receive. The companies that carry out our Switzerland moves are named further down this page.
International Removals Companies is a free enquiry matching service operated by Darren Benjamin since 2010. We match each enquiry with one suitable accredited removal company based on your origin, Swiss destination canton, timeline and volume. Your details are not passed to several firms at once. One contact. One quote.
Prices vary by service type, origin and Swiss destination canton. These are indicative guides only. The matched removal company gives the confirmed price before you book. The matching service is free.
Road freight via Channel Tunnel and France
Part Load: from approx. £900 to £1,600
Dedicated Vehicle: from approx. £2,000 to £3,800
Container sea freight then road from European port
Sea Freight: from approx. £3,200 to £5,800
Air Freight: from approx. £5,000 to £9,000
Container sea freight then road from European port
Sea Freight: from approx. £4,000 to £7,000
Air Freight: from approx. £7,000 to £12,000
Typically included: Professional packing, origin collection, Channel Tunnel or sea crossing, international transport, Swiss customs clearance (Zollabfertigung), delivery to your Swiss address and goods-in-transit insurance. Swiss customs clearance is mandatory for all UK-origin moves and is handled by the removal company. Confirm exact inclusions before booking.
All prices are indicative planning guides only. The matched removal company confirms the actual price after surveying your goods, origin and Swiss delivery address.
A list of firm names is easy to write and tells you almost nothing about how your move will actually run. These ten checks do. Switzerland sits outside the EU, so several of them have no equivalent on a France or Germany move. Ask them of any company quoting on Switzerland, including the one we match you with. A good firm answers all ten without hesitating.
FIDI FAIM involves more than 200 independent quality checks and an EY audit every three years. BAR Overseas is the UK trade standard, with fewer than 100 firms qualifying. They are not the same thing and a firm may hold one, both or neither. Ask for the certificate number and the legal entity it sits under, then check it on the FIDI register at fidi.org or with BAR.
A good answer: the certificate number and the entity name, offered without hesitation.
Swiss customs clearance happens at the border, not at your front door. The removal company submits the Zollanmeldung electronically through the e-dec system before the lorry arrives. A firm that has not done this before will tell you the paperwork happens on delivery, which is wrong and is where border delays and storage charges start.
A good answer: names e-dec, confirms they submit it, and says how far ahead.
Switzerland requires household goods to have been used for at least 12 months to qualify for duty-free entry as Umzugsgut. The EU requires six. A firm working mostly on EU routes may quote you on the six-month assumption. Anything newer than 12 months is liable to MWST at 8.1% plus duty, and that lands on you, not them.
A good answer: raises the 12-month rule before you do, and asks what you have bought recently.
Your B, C or L residence permit must be in hand before the goods reach the Swiss border. Permits slip. Ask what the firm does if yours is delayed: whether goods wait in a UK depot, go into a Swiss Zolllager bonded warehouse, or sit at the border accruing charges. The answer changes the cost of a delay considerably.
A good answer: describes a plan and quotes the cost of each option before you book.
Limited liability cover pays by the kilogram, typically £40 to £60. A 40kg sofa is worth 40kg, not what you paid. All-risks pays declared replacement value. This matters more on a Swiss move than most, because Swiss replacement costs are high, so under-cover hurts twice.
A good answer: states which level is in the price and quotes the upgrade.
Usually not. Boxes you pack yourself are commonly covered for total loss only, meaning the whole box going missing rather than the contents arriving broken. Swiss customs also want a detailed numbered inventory with values, which is harder to produce for boxes you filled yourself.
A good answer: explains the exclusion up front rather than leaving it in the terms.
Switzerland has four national languages and the delivery crew is often a local partner. Zurich is German-speaking, Geneva and Lausanne French, Lugano Italian. Ask who the destination company is, whether they are named on your paperwork, and who you complain to if a wall gets damaged.
A good answer: names the destination firm, or confirms their own crew, without being pushed.
Swiss lorries pay the Leistungsabhängige Schwerverkehrsabgabe, a distance-based heavy vehicle charge. Compliant firms build it into the quote. It should never appear later as an extra. Ask, because a quote that has left it out is a quote that has not been priced properly.
A good answer: confirms it is in the price, without needing to look it up.
A firm running the route regularly can put you on a shared load and pass on the saving, and its drivers know the Basel and Geneva crossings. A firm running it occasionally has to sell you a dedicated vehicle or wait for the load to fill. Frequency drives both the price and how honest the delivery window is.
A good answer: gives a real frequency and the next few departure dates, not "regularly".
Ask for the claim window in days, who you notify, and whether the firm falls under an independent dispute service. BAR Overseas members come under the Furniture Ombudsman scheme. A firm confident in its handling explains this plainly. Hesitation here is the most useful signal you will get on a quoting call.
A good answer: names the claim window, the form and the dispute route.
The standard road route from the UK to Switzerland runs via the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone, south through France and into Switzerland via the Basel border crossing for Zurich, Bern and German-speaking Switzerland; or via Geneva for western, French-speaking Switzerland. The journey is direct and well-established.
Stage 1: Collection from your UK address (Day 1)
Stage 2: Channel Tunnel to France, motorway south (Days 1 to 2)
Stage 3: Swiss border crossing with BAZG customs clearance. The removal company pre-clears the shipment. Unlike EU arrivals, Swiss customs must be formally cleared at the border. Allow 2 to 6 hours for clearance; pre-submitted documentation speeds this significantly.
Stage 4: Delivery to your Swiss address.
The moving companies in our network cover every Swiss canton and city: Zurich, Geneva (Genève), Basel, Bern, Lausanne, Lucerne (Luzern), Zug, Lugano, St Gallen, Winterthur, Biel/Bienne, Thun, Schaffhausen, Chur, Sion, Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds. German, French and Italian-speaking regions all covered.
Switzerland is not an EU member but aligns with EU pet travel standards. UK pets moving to Switzerland since Brexit require an Animal Health Certificate rather than an EU pet passport, as with all other European destinations in this series.
Quarantine: Switzerland does not require quarantine for dogs and cats from the UK provided all documents are in order and the AHC is valid on the date of entry.
Cantonal registration: Dogs must be registered in the cantonal animal database after arrival. Some cantons require a dog tax (Hundesteuer/taxe canine). Your Swiss vet handles the registration using your dog's existing microchip number.
Breed restrictions: Switzerland has cantonal breed-specific legislation. Some cantons (including Zurich, Geneva and others) impose restrictions on certain breeds including American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and others. Check the rules for your specific destination canton well before travel. Federal rules also apply for some species.
The AHC is valid for 10 days from issue. Book your Official Veterinarian appointment no earlier than 10 days before travel. Allow time for APHA endorsement. Pets can travel with you through the Channel Tunnel and across France in your vehicle, entering Switzerland with you at the border. Swiss customs will check the AHC at the crossing point. The road journey from the UK to Switzerland takes 8 to 12 hours depending on destination.
Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF), not the Euro. The GBP/CHF exchange rate applies to all Swiss property transactions, savings transfers and ongoing living costs. Most people treat the move and the money as two separate jobs, and end up paying more than they need to on both.
Currency exchange is part of what we help with. We have helped customers exchange currency in any currency through trusted partners for many years, alongside arranging the move itself. Tell us at the enquiry stage that you have money to transfer and our partners can help with that side of it. There is no extra charge for the introduction.
Experts in currency exchange
No hidden fees
5-star consumer ratings
Competitive exchange rate
Swiss property is among the most expensive in Europe. A typical Zurich apartment or Geneva house may be valued at CHF 1,000,000 to CHF 2,500,000 or more. At these price levels, even a modest GBP/CHF rate movement creates a significant sterling exposure. A 3% movement in the GBP/CHF rate on a CHF 1,000,000 property changes the sterling cost by approximately £25,000 to £30,000 at typical exchange levels.
Switzerland's Lex Koller legislation (Bundesgesetz über den Erwerb von Grundstücken durch Personen im Ausland) restricts property purchases by non-resident foreigners. The key points for British movers:
This means most British movers to Switzerland purchase property only after they hold a valid Swiss residence permit. Confirm your eligibility with a Swiss property lawyer before committing.
A forward contract locks in today's GBP/CHF rate for a property transfer you need to make at a future date, protecting against the rate moving between offer acceptance and Swiss completion. Given the high absolute values of Swiss property, that protection is proportionally worth more than on comparable EUR-denominated moves.
To receive CHF in Switzerland, you need a Swiss bank account. Swiss banks typically require a valid Swiss residence permit before opening a personal current account. Private banking clients may find it easier to open an account before arriving. Ask your matched removal company which banks other customers on your canton and permit type have found straightforward.
Currency specialists generally offer better exchange rates and lower transfer fees than high street banks for GBP to CHF transfers. Given the relative strength of the Swiss Franc and the high values involved in Swiss property transactions, the saving from using a specialist rather than a bank can be substantial.
Regular Swiss costs (Miete/rent, Nebenkosten/utilities, Krankenkasse/health insurance premiums, cantonal and municipal taxes) are all in CHF. Switzerland has a high cost of living, and the ongoing GBP/CHF conversion cost is a material consideration for British residents receiving income in GBP.
Switzerland requires goods imported under the Umzugsgut (transfer of residence) exemption to have been used for at least 12 months. This applies to vehicles. This is different from the EU countries in this series (Italy, France, Germany, Portugal) where the period is 6 months. A vehicle owned but not yet used for 12 months will not qualify for duty-free import and will be subject to Swiss customs duty and MWST (8.1%).
Right-hand drive UK vehicles are legal in Switzerland. No headlight beam adjustment is required under Swiss law (unlike France and Germany). The main practical challenge is operating toll booths on Swiss motorways from the right-hand seat.
UK vehicles that do not already hold EU or Swiss type approval need an individual Swiss inspection. Registration is handled through the cantonal Motorfahrzeugkontrolle (MFK) in the canton where you live. You will need your Swiss residence permit, proof of insurance from a Swiss insurer, and the UK V5C logbook. Swiss cantonal number plates replace the UK plates.
All vehicles using Swiss motorways must display a Swiss motorway tax sticker (Autobahnvignette). The annual vignette costs CHF 40 and covers all Swiss motorways for a calendar year. It is available at Swiss petrol stations, post offices and border crossings. Lorries pay LSVA tolls instead of the standard vignette.
Major Swiss cities do not operate the same low-emission zone sticker systems as France or Germany. However, Switzerland has strict federal emissions standards. Vehicles must meet Euro 4 or higher emissions standards for permanent registration. Some cantons may restrict older diesel vehicles in urban areas.
Most UK cars move to Switzerland by road transporter via the Channel Tunnel and France. Transit from the UK to Switzerland takes 2 to 3 days. Tell us at the enquiry stage if you have a vehicle so the matched removal company can confirm the best approach.
UK storage is needed when corporate accommodation in Switzerland is provided temporarily, when your Swiss property is not yet available, or when the UK property sale completes before the Swiss start date. Options include:
Indicative UK container storage cost: from approximately £80 to £150 per container equivalent per month. Confirm with your matched removal company.
Swiss storage (Einlagerung / garde-meubles) is needed when your Swiss property is not ready for delivery, when customs clearance is delayed, or when moving into furnished corporate accommodation first. Options include:
Indicative Swiss storage cost beyond free period: approximately CHF 20 to CHF 35 per cubic metre per month. Confirm with your matched removal company.
Storage charges are separate from the removal price. Confirm inclusions, free period and costs per additional week with your matched removal company before booking.
International removal companies typically offer two levels of goods-in-transit insurance:
1. Limited liability: Cover based on the weight of your goods (typically £40 to £60 per kilogram). For a 2-bedroom household at around 2,000 kg this gives approximately £80,000 to £120,000 of cover, typically below the replacement value. This is the default if you do not specify otherwise.
2. All-risks cover (full replacement value): Cover based on the declared replacement value of your goods. All-risks is the recommended level for Switzerland moves where goods cross the BAZG customs border and travel through multiple handling points. Switzerland's high cost of living means replacement values for furniture, electronics and household contents are often higher than in UK equivalents.
You declare the replacement value of your goods at the outset. Under-declaring saves on premium but means under-payment if a claim is made. Costs typically run 2% to 4% of declared replacement value. Always confirm whether cover is all-risks or limited liability before signing.
Switzerland is not an EU member. Its customs authority is the BAZG (Bundesamt für Zoll und Grenzsicherheit / Federal Office for Customs and Border Security), whose current guidance is published at bazg.admin.ch. UK household goods entering Switzerland require formal customs clearance at the Swiss border, not on arrival at the delivery address. The Umzugsgut (effets de ménage / masserizie) transfer of residence exemption removes Swiss MWST (8.1%) and import duty on qualifying household goods.
Conditions to qualify for the Umzugsgut exemption:
Prohibited and restricted items:
International Removals Companies was founded by Darren Benjamin in 2010, with more than 20 years in international logistics behind it. The company is registered in England and Wales and can be checked on Companies House. Firms used on Swiss routes are assessed against the three criteria below. Accreditations are verified independently on a rolling basis. We do not accept payment for placement, because there is no placement to buy.
British Association of Removers Overseas membership. Independent quality checks, Furniture Ombudsman dispute resolution and adherence to published industry service standards. Fewer than 100 UK firms meet the criteria for this section of the BAR.
The international quality standard for removal companies. More than 200 independent quality checks. Audited every three years by Ernst and Young for operational excellence, financial stability and customer service. Certificates are held by named legal entities and can be checked on the FIDI register.
Demonstrated Switzerland route operations. Expertise in BAZG customs procedures (Umzugsgut, e-dec pre-submission), the 12-month goods usage rule, cantonal delivery logistics across all 26 Swiss cantons, LSVA toll compliance and multilingual support for German, French and Italian-speaking regions.
Valid UK passport, Swiss residence permit (B, C or L), proof of prior UK residence for 12 or more months, and a detailed numbered inventory with replacement values for all items. Switzerland requires goods to have been used for at least 12 months (not 6 months as in the EU) to qualify for duty-free entry. Your matched removal company confirms the full list for your specific route.
UK to Zurich and Basel: 2 to 3 days dedicated. UK to Geneva and Lausanne: 2 to 3 days. UK to Lugano and Ticino: 3 to 4 days. Part load: 5 to 10 days. North America: 21 to 35 days sea freight via European port then road. Asia and Australia: 28 to 42 days. Air freight via Zurich or Geneva: 4 to 8 days total.
Prohibited: firearms without permits, protected wildlife (CITES), counterfeit goods, restricted knives and weapons, plants or food without certificates. Restricted: all alcohol must be declared, prescription pharmaceuticals (carry documentation), cultural artefacts, and cash over CHF 10,000. Your matched removal company Switzerland provides item-specific guidelines before your move.
Switzerland is not in the EU. Its customs authority is the BAZG. Household goods qualify for duty-free and MWST-free entry as Umzugsgut if goods have been used for at least 12 months (Switzerland's rule, not 6 months), you are permanently moving to Switzerland and you hold a valid Swiss residence permit before goods cross the border. Without the exemption, MWST of 8.1% and import duty apply. Your matched removal company manages the e-dec pre-submission to BAZG.
Yes, subject to the 12-month usage rule. Right-hand drive is legal in Switzerland. The car must be registered at the cantonal MFK with Swiss type approval or an individual inspection. A Swiss Autobahnvignette (CHF 40 per year) is required for motorway driving. SORN the vehicle before export. Tell us at the enquiry stage if you have a vehicle to ship.
Yes. Dogs and cats need: ISO microchip, valid rabies vaccination given after microchipping, and an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from an Official Veterinarian endorsed by APHA and valid for 10 days from issue. No quarantine required if documents are correct. Swiss customs will check the AHC at the border crossing. Dogs must be registered in the cantonal animal database after arrival. Some cantons have breed-specific restrictions. Mention your pets in your removal enquiry.
Switzerland uses CHF, not EUR. At high Swiss property values, even a small GBP/CHF rate movement represents a large sterling sum. Under Lex Koller, only Swiss residents (B or C permit holders) can generally purchase Swiss residential property. A forward contract locks in today's GBP/CHF rate for a transfer you need to make at a future date. A Swiss bank account requires a valid residence permit. Currency exchange is part of what we help with. We have arranged currency exchange in any currency through trusted partners for many years, alongside the move itself. Mention it at the enquiry stage and our partners can help with the money side. Your partner confirms the rate, the fees and the terms before any money moves.
The moving companies in our network cover every canton and city: Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Lausanne, Lucerne, Zug, Lugano, St Gallen, Winterthur, Biel/Bienne, Thun, Schaffhausen, Chur, Sion, Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds. German, French and Italian-speaking regions all covered. See the Switzerland removals section for individual city pages.
International Removals Companies works within the AGM Group network. Bishop's Move, Abels Moving Services, Gerson Relocation, Gerson Moving Services and Anglo French Euro Removals are part of that group and handle a share of the Switzerland moves that come through this page. We also work with independent firms outside the group where a route suits them better. Which one your enquiry goes to depends on your origin, your Swiss destination canton, your volume and your dates. We do not rank firms or take payment for placement, and we do not send your details to several companies at once. One firm contacts you, confirms the scope and gives the price. The service is free.
Most sites in this trade will not tell you who turns up. You send your details, someone rings, and you find out on collection day. We would rather say it up front, because knowing which firm is coming is half of what people are worried about when they fill in a form.
AGM Group network
A nationwide relocation company running 24 branch locations across the UK, so the survey, the packing crew and the collection all come from a local team who know your roads, parking rules and building types, while the European leg runs on the group's international operation.
Suited to: households anywhere in the UK, and especially outside London and the South East.
Holds: Founding member of the British Association of Removers. BAR Overseas Group. BAR Advance Payment Guarantee. BAR Commercial Moving Group, certified to BS 8522. EUROMOVERS International. Movers Trading Club, an NVOCC registered with the US Federal Maritime Commission. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 27001.
AGM Group network
Abels handles residential moving for private customers going from the UK to Europe and further afield. The work is aimed at households rather than corporate mobility programmes: one point of contact, a proper pre-move survey, export packing by their own crews, and a delivery plan agreed with you.
Suited to: private households paying for the Switzerland move themselves.
Holds: FIDI FAIM Plus, listed on the FIDI affiliate register. BAR member number A001. BAR Overseas Group, a section fewer than 100 UK firms qualify for. BAR Advance Payment Guarantee. International Association of Movers. Movers Trading Club. ISO 9001:2015. Royal Warrant for removals and storage services.
AGM Group network
Gerson runs as two arms of one business. Gerson Relocation supports large multinational employers and manages mobility programmes end to end, which is the shape most Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Zug assignments take. Gerson Moving Services handles individuals and families making the move themselves.
Suited to: employees relocating to Switzerland on a company programme, and separately, families moving privately.
Holds: FIDI FAIM Plus, with operations and management systems independently audited by EY. BAR Overseas Group. OMNI, the Overseas Moving Network International. EuRA, the European Relocation Association. Employee Relocation Council.
AGM Group network
Anglo French runs cross-Channel road freight as its main business rather than as one route among fifty. Every UK to Switzerland lorry crosses the Channel and drives the length of France before it reaches Basel or Geneva, so that stretch of the journey is the part they do every week.
Suited to: UK departures travelling by road through France, and moves starting in France.
Holds: British Association of Removers member. Guild of Removers and Storers member. Running UK to France removals since 1984, and part of the AGM Group network since November 2024.
No commercial relationship. Listed because they are good on Switzerland routes.
Founded in 1884 and working on international moves only, so surveyors and packers deal with export standards every day rather than splitting attention with domestic jobs. Runs a shared container part-load service for smaller volumes.
Holds: FIDI FAIM. BAR Overseas Group. BAR Advance Payment Guarantee. OMNI. IAM Trusted. Movers Trading Club.
Trading since 1871 and one of the largest privately owned removal firms in the country, with its own containerised storage in 19 UK locations. Useful when a mixed inventory needs specialist packing alongside ordinary household contents.
Holds: Founder member of FIDI, operating to the FAIM standard. Founder member of OMNI. BAR member with Advanced Payment Guarantee. BS EN 12522.
Moving households since 1895, with scheduled European road freight as its strength. Switzerland is one of its regular routes. Offers a choice between a dedicated service on a fixed collection and delivery date, or a shared load with a delivery window at lower cost.
Holds: FIDI FAIM, independently audited by EY. BAR Overseas Group with Advanced Payment Guarantee. Founder member of OMNI.
Started in 1977 as a fine art and antiques mover and kept that specialism while growing into full international removals. Builds custom export crating for individual pieces, which matters on a Swiss move where customs want detailed values for high-value items.
Holds: FIDI FAIM. BAR Overseas Group. IAM.
Founded in 1929, with branches across England and Scotland and its own international packing teams. Covers European road freight and sea freight, and handles office moves as well as households.
Holds: FIDI affiliate, FAIM accredited, listed on the FIDI register. IAM. BAR Commercial Moving Group.
Formed in 1978, working from London, Manchester and Glasgow. Its depth is in long-haul sea freight to Australia, New Zealand and the USA, so on a Switzerland page it comes into play mainly for assignees arriving from those countries via a European port.
Holds: IAM member. FIDI accredited.
Tell us your origin country and Swiss destination canton. We match you with one accredited removal company Switzerland from our network. One contact. One confirmed quote. The service is free.
Get Your Free Switzerland Removals Quote