April 11, 2018
Are you looking for a new Rolex to add to your collection? Perhaps you want to experience the craftsmanship of a Swiss Cuckoo Clock (invented in Germany but perhaps perfected by the Swiss)?
Maybe you just want to go shopping on one of the world’s most expensive streets to visit Mont Blanc, Jimmy Choo and Tiffany’s all in one easy afternoon? There certainly is no shortage of shopping opportunities in Switzerland!
There is only one real drawback to shopping in Switzerland, and that is the rather high price of products. Now, one might argue that the quality of the products makes this price endurable and that can be true.
But everyone loves to save money; certainly, no one wants to leave money on the table if they don’t have to! In Switzerland, like most countries, when you buy clothes or electronics or jewelry you are going to pay a tax on those items. But, did you know in Switzerland that you can claim those taxes back as a refund when you leave the country?
What is VAT?
VAT stands for Value Added Tax. Currently, you pay 7.7% on most purchases, such as jewelry, cars, clothing, alcohol and some other goods and services. It is reduced on everyday items like books and non-alcoholic drinks, but for this article, we will focus on higher cost products where you get hit by the 7.7%.
As a non-resident of Switzerland (and over the age of 18) you are entitled to claim a refund on the VAT from purchases over 300 Swiss Francs (including the VAT).
Pro Tip: You don’t have to buy one item for 300 CHF, you just need to spend at least this amount (including the VAT) at one shop, on one visit. In other words, you need one receipt showing you paid at least 300 CHF total. These goods must also be exported from Switzerland within 30 days of purchase.
The first thing to remember when shopping is to ask for a tax-free form from the store at the time of purchase. If you are lucky, a store may offer to handle the VAT refund for you (look for a Tax-Free sticker on the store window). Higher end stores may also offer this service. You’ll need to bring your passport with you when shopping as you’ll need it when filling out the forms. Some stores will ship your purchase directly to your home outside Switzerland and will not charge you the VAT in the first place as well – very convenient.
If you decide to keep the purchase with you and leave the country with it (as the store doesn’t offer VAT services or shipping is too expensive) you have 3 ways of claiming your VAT refund, depending on how/where you leave Switzerland: plane, train or automobile. The first option, at the airport, is by far the easiest option to get your VAT refund and we’ll start there.
At airports
Be sure to arrive at the airport extra early for your flight so that you have time to claim your VAT refund. You’ll want to confirm the location of the custom’s desk at the airport you are traveling from to make it easier to find. The custom’s office will want to see your purchased goods before stamping your forms so be sure not to check them with your luggage at this point!
Once the customs office has stamped your forms you can then go and collect your VAT refund. This is typically done at private companies like Global Blue, which is popular in world-wide. Your VAT refund is usually given in cash (Swiss Francs) or they can refund your credit card (but this can take some time) or they mail it to you (also taking quite some time).
At car border crossings
Now things get a little trickier. At-large border crossings, it won’t be too much of an issue finding a customs office. But be sure they are manned and are open at the time and place where you want to cross the border. After stopping at the customs office and getting your forms stamped, you’ll then need to locate a VAT refund office nearby like Global Blue (or other) if you aren’t eventually flying out at an airport. You may want to organize your trip around these office locations and opening times!
At train border crossings
Similar to highway border crossings, crossing the border via train can make collecting your VAT tricky. You’ll need to find out which border town you will be traveling through and if that train station has a customs office. If it doesn’t are you willing to travel via another town (which may make the trip longer). If the border town you travel through does have a customs office, is it open when you will be there (and do you have time to get off the train, go to the office and then catch another train later that day)?
In the end, if you are planning on making expensive purchases and want to claim your VAT refund, I would highly recommend that you exit Switzerland on a plane so you can take advantage of the customs offices and VAT refund office at the airport.
If traveling by car or train be sure to read through our list below of customs offices and Global Blue locations to make your departure from Switzerland easier and financially rewarding!
Border crossings in Switzerland
| City | Zip | Address | Manned or unmanned | Stamps available | Opening Hours |
Phone
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnières | 1247 | Rte de Thonon 357 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 480 43 25 | [email protected] |
| La Croix de Rozon | 1257 | Chemin des Eplinglis 20 | no info | no info | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 467 12 56 | [email protected] |
| Bargen | 8233 | Hoftalstrasse 21 | Manned | Yes | Mo-Fr: 08:00-20:00 Sa: 08:00 – 20:00 Su: closed |
+41 58 480 90 00 | [email protected] |
| Basel | 4056 | Elsässerstrasse 265 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 481 78 88 | [email protected] |
| Novazzano | 6883 | no info | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 469 08 48 | [email protected] |
| Brusino | 6827 | Via al Confine 1 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 469 07 66 | [email protected] |
| Rüthi | 9464 | no info | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 480 90 14 | [email protected] |
| Basel | 4055 | Burgfelderstrasse 301 | no info | no info | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 61 383 01 46 | [email protected] |
| Borgnone | 6659 | Dogana 18 | Manned | Yes | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 Period from 01.09 to 14.06: 05:00- 01:00 |
+41 58 481 80 31 | [email protected] |
| Campocologno | 7744 | Via Principale 1 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 481 80 60 | [email protected] |
| Castasegna | 7608 | Via Principale | Manned | Yes | Mo-Fr: 12:00-20.00:00 Sa: closed Su: closed Public holidays: Closed |
+41 58 480 12 30 | [email protected] |
| Chavannes-de-Bogis | 1279 | Route de Divonne | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 481 93 42 | [email protected] |
| Chiasso | 6830 | Corso San Gottardo 1 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 483 43 33 | [email protected] |
| Diepoldsau | 9444 | Hohenemserstrasse 69 | Manned | Yes | Mo-Fr: 08:00-17:00 Sa: 10:00-18:00 Su: closed |
+41 58 480 72 00 | [email protected] |
| Diessenhofen | 8253 | Schwaderloch 1 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 463 90 12 | [email protected] |
| Ranzo | 6577 | Via Cantonale | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 481 80 31 | [email protected] |
| Gailingen am Hochrain | 78262 | Büsinger Strasse 17 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 463 90 12 | [email protected] |
| Fahy | 2916 | Poste de douane | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 463 90 18 | [email protected] |
| Le Grand-Saconnex | 1218 | Case Postale 214 | Manned | Yes | Mo-Su: 06:00-20:00 Outside of those times, notification via the system: declaration box. |
+41 58 481 92 90 | [email protected] |
| Fornasette | 6996 | Via Cantonale | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 467 11 30 | [email protected] |
| Basel | 4057 | Freiburgerstrasse 79 | no info | no info | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 469 38 55 | [email protected] |
| Gandria | 6978 | Via Cantonale | Manned | Yes | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 467 15 51 | [email protected] |
| Cointrin | 1216 | Avenue Louis-Casaï 86 | Manned | Yes | Daily: 05:30-24:00 | +41 58 466 74 00 | no info |
| Gondo | 3907 | Simplonstrasse | Manned | Yes | Mo-Sa: 09:00-22:00 Su: Closed Outside of those times, notification via the system: declaration box. |
+41 58 467 80 51 | [email protected] |
| Orsières | 1937 | Poste cgfr Bas-Valais, Route de la Vallée 41 | Manned | Yes | Mo-Su: 10:00-22:00 Outside of those times, notification via the system: declaration box. |
+41 58 466 61 90 | [email protected] |
| Hofen | 8242 | Hauptstrasse 20 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 463 90 12 | [email protected] |
| Gambarogno | 6571 | no info | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 481 80 31 | [email protected] |
| Riehen | 4125 | Inzlingerstrasse 333 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 469 64 70 | [email protected] |
| Jestetten | DE79798 | Bahnhofstrasse 27 | no info | no info | no info | +41 58 463 90 12 | [email protected] |
| Kaiserstuhl AG | 5466 | Rheingasse 7 | no info | no info | no info | +41 44 858 22 14 | [email protected] |
| Koblenz | 5322 | Zollplatz 1 | Manned | Yes | Mo-Sa: 05:00-22:00 Su: 10:00-18:00 |
+41 58 480 57 87 | [email protected] |
| Basel | 4056 | Hüningerstrasse 166 | no info | no info | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 61 386 91 65 | [email protected] |
| Konstanz | 78462 | Bahnhofplatz 49 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 463 90 12 | [email protected] |
| Kreuzlingen | 8280 | Hauptstrasse 2 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 463 90 12 | [email protected] |
| Kreuzlingen | 8280 | Autobahn A7 Postfach 1021 | no info | no info | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 480 90 00 | [email protected] |
| Kreuzlingen | 8280 | Konstanzerstrasse 2 Postfach 1021 | Manned | Yes | Mo-Su: 12:00-20:00 Su: Closed Outside of those times, notification via the system: declaration box. |
+41 58 480 90 00 | [email protected] |
| Kriessern | 9451 | Zollstrasse 31 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 480 90 14 | [email protected] |
| Sainte-Croix VD | 1454 | Grande Borne 1 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 24 454 52 10 | [email protected] |
| Chavannes-de-Bogis | 1279 | Route de Divonne 7 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 481 93 42 | [email protected] |
| La Cure | 1265 | Route de France | no info | no info | Nothing | +41 58 469 90 10 | [email protected] |
| Zernez | 7530 | La Drossa | Manned | Yes | Mo-Fr: 09:00-17:00 Sa-Su: Closed |
+41 58 469 07 36 | [email protected] |
| Poschiavo | 7742 | Passo del Bernina 966 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 Forcola di Livigno opening hours. (Winter closure). |
+41 58 480 90 14 | [email protected] |
| Laufenburg | 5080 | Flösserstrasse 2 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 481 50 80 | [email protected] |
| Orsières | 1937 | Poste cgfr Bas-Valais, Route de la Vallée 41 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 469 91 20 | [email protected] |
| Ligornetto | 6853 | Via Cantinetta 25 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 469 08 48 | [email protected] |
| Basel | 4056 | Elsässerstrasse 265 | no info | no info | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 481 78 88 | [email protected] |
| Magadino | 6573 | no info | no info | no info | no info | +41 58 481 80 31 | [email protected] |
| Martina | 7560 | Hauptstrasse 243 | Manned | Yes | Mo-Su: 08:00-20:00 | +41 58 480 10 40 | [email protected] |
| Mauren | FL-9493 | Binzastrasse | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 480 90 14 | [email protected] |
| Melide | 6815 | Lungolago Motta 27 | no info | no info | no info | +41 58 469 07 66 | [email protected] |
| Thônex | 1226 | Rue de Genève 141 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 480 43 25 | [email protected] |
| Montlingen | 9462 | Rheinstrasse | no info | no info | no info | +41 58 480 90 14 | [email protected] |
| St-Gingolph | 1898 | Poste garde-frontière Chablais | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 24 477 11 31 | [email protected] |
| Müstair | 7537 | Hauptstrasse 1A | Manned | Yes | Mo-Fr: 09:00-17:00 Sa-Su: Closed |
+41 58 469 07 32 | [email protected] |
| Neuhausen am Rheinfall | 8212 | Zollstrasse 198 | Manned | Yes | Mo-Fr: private goods 07:00-20:00 Sa: 12:00-20:00 Sundays and public holidays: closed. Outside of clearance times: declaration box |
+41 58 480 90 00 | [email protected] |
| Novazzano | 6883 | no info | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 This road is closed for cars and motorcycles from 1st of april until 30th of september, 23:00 to 05:00. Bicycles and pedestrians can use the road 24/7. |
+41 58 469 08 48 | [email protected] |
| Oberriet SG | 9463 | Rheinstrasse 19 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 480 90 14 | [email protected] |
| Pedrinate | 6832 | Via Tinelle | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 This road is closed for cars and motorcycles from 1st of april until 30th of september, 23:00 to 05:00. Bicycles and pedestrians can use the road 24/7. |
+41 58 469 07 66 | [email protected] |
| Perly | 1258 | Rte de St-Julien 307 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 467 12 56 | [email protected] |
| Vacallo | 6833 | no info | Manned | Yes | Mo-Fr: 06:00-21:00 Sa: 06:00-22:00 Su: 07:00-21:00 The Saturday times apply also for the day before a public holiday. The Sunday times apply also for public holidays in Italy. |
+41 58 469 07 66 | [email protected] |
| Ponte Cremenaga | 6996 | no info | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 This road is closed for cars and motorcycles from 1st of april until 30th of september, 23:00 to 05:00. Bicycles and pedestrians can use the road 24/7. |
+41 58 467 11 30 | [email protected] |
| Novazzano | 6883 | no info | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 469 07 66 | [email protected] |
| Ponte Tresa | 6988 | no info | Manned | Yes | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 Mo-Su: 19:30-04:30, clearance of private goods with the declaration box system. |
+41 58 465 53 18 | [email protected] |
| Ramsen | 8262 | Moskau 309 | Manned | Yes | Mo-Fr: private goods 07:00-20:00 Sa: 12:00-20:00 Swiss and public holidays: closed. Outside of clearance times: declaration box |
+41 58 480 90 00 | [email protected] |
| Rheinau | 8462 | Zollstrasse 18 | no info | no info | no info | +41 58 463 90 12 | [email protected] |
| Rheineck | 9424 | no info | Unmanned | No | Mo-Sa: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 480 90 14 | [email protected] |
| Rheinfelden | 4310 | no info | no info | no info | Closed, no clearance times. Entry is possible only on foot, by bicycle or with public transport (motor vehicles are banned from driving on the Rhine bridge). | +41 58 469 37 60 | [email protected] |
| Romanshorn | 8590 | Friedrichshafnerstrasse | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 463 90 12 | [email protected] |
| Ruggell | FL-9491 | Noflerstrasse 67 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 480 90 14 | [email protected] |
| San Pietro di Stabio | 6854 | no info | no info | no info | no info | +41 58 469 08 48 | [email protected] |
| Schaanwald | FL-9486 | Vorarlbergerstrasse 233 | Manned | Yes | Mo-Fr: 07:30-17:30 Sa: 10:00-18:00 Su: Closed |
+41 58 469 00 86 | [email protected] |
| Schellenberg | FL-9488 | St. Georgstrasse 91 | no info | no info | no info | +41 58 480 90 14 | [email protected] |
| Diepoldsau | 9444 | Rheinstrasse 63 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 480 90 14 | [email protected] |
| Splügen | 7435 | Splügenpasstrasse 4 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 480 90 14 | [email protected] |
| St. Margrethen SG | 9430 | Grenzstrasse 33 | Manned | Yes | Mo-Fr: 07:30-16:00 Sa-Su: Closed |
+41 58 480 21 00 | [email protected] |
| St. Margrethen SG | 9430 | Bahnhof | no info | no info | no info | +41 58 480 21 00 | [email protected] |
| Stabio | 6855 | no info | Manned | Yes | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 Mo-Su: 19:30-04:30, clearance of private goods with the declaration box system. |
+41 58 483 22 40 | [email protected] |
| Stein am Rhein | 8260 | Öhningerstrasse 77 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 463 90 12 | [email protected] |
| Stein AG | 4332 | Postfach 62 | no info | no info | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 481 03 21 | [email protected] |
| Tägerwilen | 8274 | Konstanzerstrasse 121 | no info | no info | no info | +41 58 463 90 12 | [email protected] |
| Thayngen | 8240 | Zollstrasse 97 | no info | no info | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 480 90 00 | [email protected] |
| Thayngen | 8240 | Bahnhofstrasse 35 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 463 90 12 | [email protected] |
| Thônex | 1226 | Rte Blanche 24 Case Postale | Manned | Yes | Mo-Su: 06:00-20:00 Outside of those times, notification via the system: declaration box. |
+41 58 480 43 25 | [email protected] |
| Sta. Maria Val Müstair | 7536 | Via d’Umbrail 135 | no info | no info | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 During Umbrail Pass opening hours (winter closure). |
+41 58 480 90 14 | [email protected] |
| Wasterkingen | 8195 | Badener Landstr. 174 | no info | no info | no info | +41 58 463 90 12 | [email protected] |
| Riehen | 4125 | Weilstrasse 87 | no info | no info | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 467 11 71 | [email protected] |
| Widnau | 9443 | Rheinstrasse 85 | Unmanned | No | Mo-Su: 00:00-24:00 | +41 58 480 90 14 | [email protected] |
| Wil ZH | 8196 | Bergstrasse 125 | no info | no info | no info | +41 58 463 90 12 | [email protected] |
Global Blue Offices
| Locations | Address | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|
| Balerna (BP Breggia) | Via S. Gottardo, 56, 6828 Balerna | MON-FRI: 06:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. SAT: 06:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m. SUN: 07:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m. |
| Basel (Travelex Switzerland) | Schwarzwaldallee 200, Badischer Bahnhof, 4058 Basel | MON-FRI: 06:30 a.m. – 08:30 p.m. SAT: 06:30 a.m. – 08:30 p.m. SUN: 09:00 a.m. – 05:00 p.m. |
| Brissago (Ecsa Aniceto Brissago) | Via Leoncavallo 52, 6614 Brissago | MON-FRI: 06:00 a.m. – 08:00 p.m. SAT: 07:00 a.m – 08:00 p.m SUN: 07:00 a.m – 08:00 p.m |
| Cadenazzo (BP Cadenazzo) | Via San Gottardo, 69, 6593 Cadenazzo | MON-FRI: 06:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. SAT: 06:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m. SUN: 08:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m. |
| Chiasso (We Change) | Via Soldini 38, 5, 6830 Chiasso | MON-FRI: 09:00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. SAT & SUN: closed |
| Coldrerio (Ecsa Pit Stop) | Stazione di Servizio, Coldrerio Sud-Nord | MON-SUN: 24hr/day |
| Gandria (Ecsa Gandria) | Via Cantonale, 69, 6978 Gandria | MON-FRI: 06:00 a.m. – 08:00 p.m. SAT: 07:30 a.m – 07:00 p.m SUN: 09:00 a.m – 07:00 p.m |
| Geneva Airport (Global Exchange Suisee Sarl) | Route de l’Aéroport 21, Case Postale 364, Genève 15 | MON-SUN 06:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. |
| Interlaken (BLS AG) | Tourist Office, Interlaken West , Bahnhofstrasse 28, Interlaken 3800 | MON-SUN: 06:40 a.m. – 07:00 p.m. |
| Lugano Airport | Communicazione e Servizi Turistici S.a.g.l.Tourist Office, Agno Airport, 6982 Agno Airport | MON-FRI: 10:00 a.m. – 02:00 p.m. and 04:00 p.m. – 07:00 p.m. SAT & SUN: 10:00 a.m. – 02:00 p.m. and 04:00 p.m. – 07:00 p.m. |
| Lugano Downtown (BP Lugano Sud/South) | Via A.Riva, 6, 6900 Lugano (CH) | MON-SAT: 06:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. SUN: 08:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m. |
| Melide (BP Atlante) | Via Cantonale, 15, 6815 Melide | MON-SAT: 06:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. SUN: 08:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m. |
| Mendrisio (Esca Mendrisio) | Via Francesco Borromini, 66850, Mendrisio | MON-SAT: 06:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. SUN: 08:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m. |
| Novazzano (BP Novazzano) | Via Casate, 12, 6883 Novazzano | MON-FRI: 06:00 a.m. – 08:00 p.m. SAT: 07:00 a.m. – 07:00 p.m. SUN: closed |
| Ponte Tresa (Esca Pit Stop) | Stazione di Servizio, Via Cantonale, 6988 Ponte Tresa | MON-FRI: 06:00 a.m. – 08:00 p.m. SAT: 06:00 a.m. – 07:00 p.m. SUN: closed |
| Stabio (Esca Gaggiolo) | Via Gaggiolo, 57, 6855 Stabio | MON-SAT: 06:00 a.m – 08:00 p.m SUN: 08:00 a.m – 08:00 p.m |
| St. Moritz (Gilsenti Travel) | Travel Agency , Gallaria Caspar Badrutt, St.Moritz 7500 | MON-FRI: 08:30 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. 02:00 p.m. – 06:30 p.m. SAT: 08:30 a.m.-12:00 a.m.* (except mid-May to end June & November) SUN: closed |
| Zurich Airport (Global Blue Schweiz) | Refund Counter Airside Center, next to transfer desks Transfer A, 8058 Zurich Airport (After security control; access only with valid boarding pass!) | MON-SUN: 06:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. |