I am looking to buy a new digital slr through Amazon and would like to know what sort of duty I would need to pay bringing it into Switzerland. I have had a search of the forums and google but cannot seem to find a definitive answer ( if there is one...). If anyone could shed any light that would be great or alternatively where I could go in Suisse to find a reputable and cost effective dealer.
Cheers
I am looking to buy a new digital slr through Amazon and would like to know what sort of duty I would need to pay bringing it into Switzerland. I have had a search of the forums and google but cannot seem to find a definitive answer ( if there is one...). If anyone could shed any light that would be great or alternatively where I could go in Suisse to find a reputable and cost effective dealer.
Cheers
I am looking to buy a new digital slr through Amazon and would like to know what sort of duty I would need to pay bringing it into Switzerland. I have had a search of the forums and google but cannot seem to find a definitive answer ( if there is one...). If anyone could shed any light that would be great or alternatively where I could go in Suisse to find a reputable and cost effective dealer.
Cheers
Hi Jeffrey,
To be honest, I had the same problem but someone pointed my in the direction of Digitech based in Switzerland (www.digitech.ch) They have an excellent range of cameras and electronic goods and the price works out cheaper than Amazon.
Hope this helps.
Rich
Hi Jeffrey,
To be honest, I had the same problem but someone pointed my in the direction of Digitech based in Switzerland (www.digitech.ch) They have an excellent range of cameras and electronic goods and the price works out cheaper than Amazon.
Hope this helps.
Rich
@Rich: do you mean: www.digitec.ch?
(www.digitech.ch doesn't seem to exist)
@Rich: do you mean: www.digitec.ch?
(www.digitech.ch doesn't seem to exist)
Welcome to the mistery of Swiss taxes, which they cannot even explain themselves (true story). Taxes depend on the class of object as described in their books, purchasing price, country of origin and company handling the delivery. The Post are the worst, they apply import tax plus and additional admin tax. So with that in mind, it's impossible to tell in advance ho much you will need to pay.
There are two ways around this: If you are importing from a EU country, have it delivered to friends in nearby France - no tax. If you are thinking to import from a different country, search the model you are looking for on www.toppreise.ch. It's a Swiss online portal, prices there are very competitive, there is no tax and and you have Swiss warranty, the corect plug etc. Unless he difference in price is really important, I would not bother to order from the US.
Welcome to the mistery of Swiss taxes, which they cannot even explain themselves (true story). Taxes depend on the class of object as described in their books, purchasing price, country of origin and company handling the delivery. The Post are the worst, they apply import tax plus and additional admin tax. So with that in mind, it's impossible to tell in advance ho much you will need to pay.
There are two ways around this: If you are importing from a EU country, have it delivered to friends in nearby France - no tax. If you are thinking to import from a different country, search the model you are looking for on www.toppreise.ch. It's a Swiss online portal, prices there are very competitive, there is no tax and and you have Swiss warranty, the corect plug etc. Unless he difference in price is really important, I would not bother to order from the US.
@Rich: do you mean: www.digitec.ch?
(www.digitech.ch doesn't seem to exist)
www.toppreise.ch
@Rich: do you mean: www.digitec.ch?
(www.digitech.ch doesn't seem to exist)
Thanks Andrei. That's the one! I was just going through a bad spell. 
Thanks guys - very helpful and in the case of you Catalin very insightful !!!!
cheers
Thanks guys - very helpful and in the case of you Catalin very insightful !!!!
cheers
Toppreise is good.
but if you do go threw the Amazon route, its like
Douaine admin fee CHF 20- + the normal rate TVA 7.6%
Toppreise is good.
but if you do go threw the Amazon route, its like
Douaine admin fee CHF 20- + the normal rate TVA 7.6%
@ Dave G.
You are a bit out of date with the VAT. It is 8% since the beginning of 2012.
The VAT is charged on the value of the shipment including delivery. Customs duties are normally very low (< 2% on most items). So for guessing, you go for 10% of the value (with delivery) + the Post handling below to get a ball park idea of the "damage".
If the package comes via the Post, you will be charged CHF12 or CHF 16.50 (depending on the country) plus 3% of the value of the shipment. Max of CHF 70 in clearing fees. DHL may charge you more (from what I hear).
@ Dave G.
You are a bit out of date with the VAT. It is 8% since the beginning of 2012.
The VAT is charged on the value of the shipment including delivery. Customs duties are normally very low (< 2% on most items). So for guessing, you go for 10% of the value (with delivery) + the Post handling below to get a ball park idea of the "damage".
If the package comes via the Post, you will be charged CHF12 or CHF 16.50 (depending on the country) plus 3% of the value of the shipment. Max of CHF 70 in clearing fees. DHL may charge you more (from what I hear).
