Moving to Switzerland from Dubai

FCL ocean freight runs from Jebel Ali to the Swiss border via a European hub port; typical sea transit times are on our destinations overview. Add 3–5 days for UAE packing and export, and 1–3 working days for BAZG border customs clearance. Road delivery from the Swiss border to Zurich is approximately 1 hour from Basel; Geneva from the French border is approximately 30 minutes; Lugano from the Italian border is approximately 30 minutes. LCL groupage adds consolidation time at the European hub. Air freight via GVA or ZRH is available for urgent shipments.

Switzerland is not an EU member state and is not part of the EU Customs Union. This is the single most important fact about moving to Switzerland from outside Europe. Your goods do not benefit from the EU Regulation 1186/2009 removal goods framework that applies to all other European countries on our network. Swiss customs (BAZG) operates entirely separately under Swiss national law. The applicable relief is Umzugsgut — Switzerland’s own removal goods exemption under Art. 9 of the Swiss Customs Tariff Act. Fusion prepares BAZG form 18.44 and the Inventarliste — not EU customs forms — for every Switzerland move.

Umzugsgut (German), franchise de déménagement (French), or esenzione per i traslochi (Italian) is Switzerland’s removal goods exemption, administered by BAZG under Art. 9 of the Zolltarifgesetz. It allows qualifying individuals transferring their normal place of residence to Switzerland to import used household goods free of Swiss customs duty and MWST (8.1%). To qualify: you must have lived outside Switzerland for at least 12 consecutive months; goods must have been owned and in use for at least 6 months; goods must not be sold or transferred for 12 months after import; and goods must enter Switzerland within 2 years of your transfer of residence date.

The BAZG Umzugsgut clearance requires evidence of Swiss residency authorisation. For employment-based relocations to Geneva or Zurich, this is typically the B permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung) — a temporary annual renewable residence permit. If your B permit has not yet been issued when your goods arrive, BAZG may accept a cantonal permit application confirmation letter. Fusion advises on the minimum documentation acceptable to BAZG at survey stage and coordinates permit timing with your goods arrival accordingly.

All new residents must register with their local cantonal Einwohnerkontrolle (German-speaking cantons) or Contrôle des Habitants (French-speaking cantons) within 8–14 days of arriving in Switzerland. In Geneva, registration is at the OCPM; in Zurich, at your local Kreisbüro. Cantonal registration is required before you can open a Swiss bank account, complete AHV / AVS social insurance registration, or access most cantonal services. Fusion briefs every client on the cantonal registration process before they leave Dubai.

Yes. Fusion has significant experience managing relocations for UN, WHO, WTO, ICRC, and other international organisation staff to Geneva. IO staff and diplomatic personnel may benefit from customs privileges under bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the relevant organisation. Fusion prepares the specific exemption documentation required alongside the standard BAZG process. Contact us to discuss your specific IO or diplomatic status.

Fusion can ship a car from Dubai to Switzerland by RoRo where the route offers it, or in a container, and handles the UAE side — export clearance, RTA deregistration and the export certificate. Whether your particular car can be imported and registered in Switzerland, and at what cost, depends on the vehicle and your circumstances — we check Switzerland’s current rules for it at survey, before you commit to shipping it. See our Automobile Relocation page.

Switzerland prohibits: controlled drugs, certain firearms (cantonal Waffenerwerbsschein required), CITES-regulated wildlife items, counterfeit goods, and alcohol above personal import limits. Certain food and agricultural products from outside Switzerland require phytosanitary or veterinary certificates. Fusion screens every inventory against BAZG prohibited and restricted goods guidelines before packing begins. Moving to Switzerland? You May Also Need