Country Guide: Switzerland


Looking to expand your e-commerce business to Switzerland, then look no further, here is AVASK's guide to VAT in Switzerland:

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Country Profile: Switzerland

Swiss E-commerce facts:

Population8.64 million
(January 2020)
Currency:Swiss Franc (CHF)
Number of e-commerce users:7.5 million
(January 2020)
Revenue in e-commerce market:£6.16 billion
Estimated market growth:5.2% to £7.5 billion by 2024

Swiss thresholds and additional summary:

VAT registration thresholdCHF 100,000
VAT number format:

CHE 123456789 MWST

VAT return period:

Quarterly

Monthly - available upon application

VAT return deadline:
60 days following period end
Annual VAT filing deadline:

Not required

Fiscal representation:
Required
EC sales lists reporting:

Not applicable - country outside of EU.

VAT in Switzerland

Many businesses see Switzerland as one of the main gateways into the European marketplaces. The landlocked country is centrally located and is an ideal jumping off point into France, Italy, Germany and Austria.

Switzerland is not a member of the European Union (EU) and draws up its own tax rules and laws. Therefore, Switzerland does not follow the VAT directives or guidance issued by the European Union, including the setting of VAT rates.

While not a member, Switzerland does hold a number of treaties with the EU, which means businesses can operate within the country in a similar manner as they do with the EU.

Switzerland is also not a member of the European single market economy and uses its own currency, the Swiss Franc (CHF). In Switzerland VAT works in a very similar way to the rest of Europe and is locally known as: Mehrwertsteuer, or MWST.


VAT registration in Switzerland

Foreign businesses may trade in Switzerland without establishing a local presence, which is known as non-resident VAT trading. There is a VAT regstration threshold of CHF 100,000, or CHF 150,000 for not for profit, charitable, sporting or cultural organisations. This is based on your business' global turnover, not just within Swiss territories.

If your turnover is under this threshold, you will not need to register for VAT. Once your business crosses this threshold, you must register for VAT with the Federal Tax Administration within 30 days of crossing the threshold. Non-resident businesses will also need to appoint a fiscal representative when registering for VAT.

There are strict rules on the situations where VAT registration is permitted. Common scenarios that require Swiss VAT registration include:

  • Importing goods into Switzerland;
  • Organising live events, conferences, etc. in Switzerland;
  • Holding goods in a warehouse in Switzerland as stock for resale;
  • Buying goods within Switzerland that are subsequently re-sold in-country;
  • Self-supply of goods.
Swiss VAT compliance

There are detailed rules controlling the recording and processing of xx transactions for VAT purposes. This includes guidelines on:

  • Swiss invoice requirements;
  • When to issue a Swiss tax invoice;
  • Foreign currency reporting;
  • Credit notes and corrections;
  • Correcting entries from prior returns;
  • Which accounting records must be maintained and held for up-to ten years.

Swiss VAT rates

VAT Rate% Rate
Standard Rate7.7%
Reduced Rate3.8%
2.5%
Zero Rate0%

Read more about International VAT and Compliance:

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