Hi all. I come to you exhausted and befuddled.
I’m an artist and potter based in Lausanne and I want to start selling some of my handmade ceramics online. I was obviously hoping to sell not only in Switzerland, since it’s fucking minuscule and fine art is not exactly a hyper local market.
Looking into it though, from what I’m able to understand so far, not only is it incredibly expensive of course, but I’m gonna have to fill out, print and stick to the parcel customs forms for every single thing I send out, even to EU neighbors… (This would be the case apparently even if I weren’t selling goods but just sending a thing to a friend?). Maybe I’m just a naive newbie and it’s like this everywhere and has always been, but it seems prohibitively complicated, and honestly absurd to the point of kafkaesque to even have to do so if you’re just sending a gift to a family member or buddy.
So my question is, of course: is it actually this complicated for every single parcel to send out, or am I dumb and have misunderstood the requirements?
Also is this process the same for every country, or is it stupidly convoluted in different specific ways for each?
EDIT:
My question is about this, and AED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDhQ6InwAIE
Is that to be done and printed and added to the package additionally to the shipping label?
Thanks!
I am a complete moron or is it actually insanely complicated to ship packages from switzerland to another country, EVEN the EU?
byu/Electronic_Ad4560 inSwitzerland
Posted by Electronic_Ad4560
16 Comments
We’re not within the EU, so we don’t get straight forward transfer of goods.
So when you cross the border, taxes come into play.
We decided that by a couple of thousand votes in 1992.
You live in Lausanne, get a storage unit in France, take the work you want to sell there, after sold, send it from France.
Since it’s your things, that has “no value” for customs (not saying your work has no value, but it’s not a Picasso if you know what I mean) you will be able to do the transfer and send it from France.
As long as you don’t transport 100 pieces at the same time of course….
I wouldn’t describe the process as complex but yes, you have to write the value and stick the proper paper to the package.
Also answering your question, you will need to fill the form everytime you send something out of Switzerland
It’s easier to go to the neighbors and seind it from there
If you do it with the post online you can save templates for things – so theoretically you only need to do that the first time you send a new product somewhere. Pay and print the paperwork stick it in a sleeve in your box and drop it off. I do this every so often with photo prints / calendars / etc.
It’s not just CH EU, it’s EU to EU as well you need to fill those forms
Some points:
– we’re not eu; which means (most probably) taxes and higher postage
– you could “smuggle” your stuff to france and send it from there. But it’s smuggling
– when sending a parcel it’s either “small goods” (insurance to 150.-) or “parcel” (insurance to 500.-). Parcel postage is about twice as expensive as small goods
– last not least: some of this is going to change as post tariffs are going to change in 2026
– last not least: you can make most things at home and show a barcode at the post office and they orint it out. Only thing missing would be the proof of the sale (screenshot of ebay or similar) which you can print out at most post office’s ptinter station
Ive sent packages to australia and its pretty easy you just have to declare the value and what the item is other then that its not much diffrant then domestic parcels
It’s not really that complicated
How is it surprising that if you ship goods abroad you need to fill out a customs declaration form?
Just go to the post office for the first package so they can explain it to you if really don’t get it.
But as everyone said it’s pretty easy 😅
You fill out the custom declaration form. Where you need to provide info (name address) about the sender (you) , the recipient (same info + a phone number) and what you are sending (what it is, its value, in your case the price the buyer paid for the item).
At the post office, they will either fill it up for you or make you fill out the form on your phone and show them the QR code after. And they will print it as well as the shipping label for you.
You can also just fill out and print the customs form and shipping label at home to save time. But it’s the same thing.
Source: I send frequently packages to various countries in and outside of Europe.
Yes, this is one of the benefits of a customs union. You don’t have to do this so international business for small companies is easier.
Heading said that it’s not as complex as it seems initially. The post website is pretty helpful now. It recently got an update, before that you were a bit more on your own. Just declare to value of the thing, and if you are just sending a gift to a friend state that the value is not very high so the friend doesn’t have to pay import duties.
My job involves sending small packages across the world with the swiss post. I’ve done more than 2000 so far.
Sure thing is (at least for my type of goods) that the post is the cheapest, most simple and most reliable compared to private carriers.
I’ve tried to optimize the process as much as possible. At the moment I use the WebStamp form.
– Select destination (EU or world) and options for price quote
– indicate good and value
– enter destination address
– print on sticky paper (size 4 labels on one A4 sheet)
– stick label on box
– drop at the post office (and tell them you don’t need the details on the receipt so they just do 1 click and it’s done)
With training and optimization where possible (template, registered adress, pay on invoice…) it’s really not an issue. I wouldn’t do 20 a day, but I sell on average 1 product a day and go to the post office once a week and it’s super manageable. It’s actually a part of the whole process that I find satisfying and enjoyable.
It’s also important to find a small friendly post office where you will know the person and they will eventually process your packages very quickly. I can be in and out in the same minute where I go and I park in front of the door (optimization is key!)
Yes. And what do you mean „even the EU“? Switzerland is NOT in the EU which is the source of the customs problem.
I had the same problem with an online business too. Complicated and expensive from Switzerland to european countries. I just decided that I would cross the border to france with all my client’s order in my car and ship them from there twice a week…