Shipping to Switzerland

Shipping from the USA to Switzerland

Gelle Transport arranges freight from the United States to Switzerland through vetted international air and ocean partners, building on our experience as a Kansas City trucking company since 2014. We collect your cargo in the US, prepare it for export, book the international leg and coordinate arrival in Switzerland, with routing and availability confirmed before every booking.

Transatlantic freight is frequent and competitive. Most European imports are subject to VAT at the point of entry, and goods must meet local product standards.

Air freight to Switzerland

Air cargo from the United States to Switzerland normally arrives at Zurich Airport (ZRH). Air freight is the best choice for urgent, compact and high-value shipments such as electronics, spare parts, documents and medical supplies. Typical door-to-door transit from the USA to this region is about 2–6 days, depending on the origin airport, connections and customs clearance. Air cargo is charged on chargeable weight — the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight.

Sea freight to Switzerland

Switzerland has no seaport of its own (Landlocked — Rhine port of Basel via Rotterdam). Ocean cargo sails to a neighbouring port, then moves inland by road or rail under customs transit. Declaring Switzerland as the final destination from the very start is essential, so the cargo is not cleared — and taxed — in the transit country. Typical ocean transit to the region is about 2–4 weeks, plus inland transit time.

Customs and import documents for Switzerland

Most shipments to Switzerland need the following. Product-specific requirements vary, so we confirm them before your cargo leaves the US:

• Commercial invoice with item values
• Detailed packing list
• Bill of lading or air waybill
• Importer registration / tax ID in Switzerland
• Certificates of origin or conformity where required
• Permits for regulated goods (food, medicines, chemicals)

Import duties and taxes are assessed in Switzerland in the local currency (Swiss franc (CHF)) and are normally paid by the importer. US export rules also apply — some goods, technologies and destinations need an export licence.

How Gelle Transport helps

1. 01

   Assess the shipment

   We confirm the route to Switzerland, what can be shipped and any restrictions before you commit.

2. 02

   US pickup and export

   We collect from your address or supplier and prepare the cargo and documents for export.

3. 03

   International freight

   Air or ocean booked with vetted carriers, with updates while in transit.

4. 04

   Arrival coordination

   Clearance and delivery in Switzerland coordinated with local agents where available.

Other countries in Europe