Handbook for Investors. Business location in Switzerland.

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3.1 International exchange of goods and services. The Swiss economy is characterized by a high degree of international integration, with half of the country’s GDP generated abroad. This is only possible thanks to the highly effective crossborder movement of goods and persons. Unlike most other countries Switzerland uses a system of customs clearance based on weight. This specific customs duty is therefore levied on products from non-EU/EFTA countries on the basis of weight. As a result, Swiss customs duties are usually lower than those of other countries. This favors the importation of high-quality technical components, which weigh very little but are extremely valuable. 3.1.1 Free trade agreements, WTO and elimination of trade restrictions In addition to the EFTA Convention and the Free Trade Agreement with the European Union (EU), Switzerland currently has a network of 20 free trade agreements with countries outside the EU and is also a member of the WTO. It applies the most-favored-nation clause in trade with all WTO member states and is generally committed to eliminating trade restrictions worldwide. In joining the WTO Switzerland has also undertaken to convert most non-tariff trade barriers into customs duties. Apart from a few exceptions (primarily agricultural products), domestic products are not protected against international competition. There is no actual anti-dumping law. There are essentially no volume restrictions on the importation of processed products. Imports and exports of industrial goods basically enjoy full duty and quota exemption on the European markets thanks to the free trade agreements with the EU and the EFTA. Duty and quota exemption does not mean that customs clearance is not necessary, but this is not an obstacle. Thanks to PCs and the Internet it is now a largely automated process conducted via the IT applications e-dec Import and NCTS Export. 3.1.2 Customs and excise Although Switzerland has been a member of the Schengen Area since the end of 2008, it is not part of the European Customs Union. As a result, customs controls remain in place. The most important document for customs clearance is the customs declaration, which must be accompanied by the exporter’s invoice (indicating the weight) and confirmation of origin. A certificate of origin is required if one wishes to benefit from preferential duty rates or if the goods are to be re-exported. In line with other countries Switzerland levies taxes and duties at its borders, such as the mileage-related heavy vehicle toll (MRHVT), the tobacco excise tax and the CO 2 levy. At a standard rate of 7.6 %, VAT is much lower than in neighboring countries (Germany: 19 %, France: 19.6 %, Austria: 20 %, Italy: 20 %). Goods that are only intended to be held in Switzerland temporarily in intermediate storage can be stored without customs clearance and duty unpaid in bonded warehouses. The goods are therefore in transit between the border and the bonded warehouse. The subsequent exportation of the goods is then subject to the customs tariff of the importing country. The goods so stored may not be processed, or they become liable for normal customs clearance. Bonded warehouses are public facilities. They are operated by private warehousing companies and are open to all interested parties. There are bonded warehouses on all key transport routes, at major freight depots and airports, and in particular in border areas. Open bonded warehouses, meanwhile, are used for storing goods that have not been cleared through customs on a company’s own premises. They are usually operated by shipping companies and are becoming increasingly important. There are now over 150 open bonded warehouses. The used household effects of persons moving to Switzerland that are intended for their continued personal use are exempt from customs duty. At the time of importation, the completed official form must be submitted to the Swiss customs office. Clearance of household effects must take place during customs office opening hours. The Swiss Federal Customs Administration sees itself as a service organization. It provides information for customers on simplified procedures and rules and advises on practical issues such as proof of origin, processing arrangements and VAT at the time of importation. 28 Handbook for Investors 2010
Customs information www.zoll.admin.ch Languages: German, English, French, Italian Customs duties and taxes database www.osec.ch Search under: Worldwide Customs Tariffs Languages: German, English, French, Italian 3.1.3 Rules of origin Raw materials and component parts that are imported from third countries can acquire Swiss origin status and consequently circulate freely in Europe if the added value created in Switzerland is between 60 % and 80 % of the finished product’s selling price, depending on the product. This regulation is of interest because high-tech products often have a low weight but a high product value. They can therefore be imported cheaply into Switzerland, be processed and then be exported duty-free to Europe. If goods are imported in this way from a country outside the EU/EFTA area and transformed in Switzerland in such a manner that they acquire Swiss origin status, no duty is payable when the goods are exported to a EU/EFTA country. The cantonal sections (chambers of commerce) of Economiesuisse (Swiss Business Federation) provide information on the details and issue the corresponding certificates of origin. Origin guidelines www.ezv.admin.ch Languages: German, French, Italian 3.2 Protection of free competition. Switzerland’s economic system is based on the principles of the free market, and existing competitive constraints are being eliminated. Free and fair competition is strengthened by a strict Cartel Act, in which cartels are not illegal but abuses are prosecuted. Since 1995, Switzerland’s cartel legislation has largely been harmonized with EU regulations. The Internal Market Act ensures greater competition and the elimination of protectionist regulations at cantonal and municipal levels. The Competition Commission can intervene if there are grounds for suspecting unacceptable restrictions on competition. It also investigates whether mergers have negative effects on free competition and supplies the authorities with recommendations on promoting effective competition. 3.3 Protection of intellectual property. The protection of intellectual property rights is well developed in Switzerland. A comprehensive system of patent, trademark, design and copyright protection guarantees that the results of innovation and creativity are protected at national and international levels. Patent applications, trademark or design registrations can be submitted to the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (Eidgenössisches Institut für Geistiges Eigentum, IGE). The key point for internationally active companies is that worldwide protection can therefore be achieved through a single entry. The IGE, the agency responsible for commercial protective rights and copyrights, is a center of competence for all aspects of patents, trademarks, designs, topographies of semiconductor products, copyrights and other related protective rights. Initial information about protective rights titles registered in Switzerland can be accessed via the IGE’s own electronic protective rights register. As a member of the WTO, Switzerland implements the provisions of the WTO/TRIPS Agreement. The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property makes information from the trademark, patent and design register and on protected topographies available free of charge on the Swissreg database. Swissreg contains Swiss trademarks and applications for registration, but not international trademarks that could also lead to protective consequences in Switzerland. These international trademarks are registered with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva. Handbook for Investors 2010 29
Page 1 and 2: Handbook for Investors. Business lo
Page 3 and 4: Welcome. Dear Reader, By choosing t
Page 5 and 6: Table of contents. Advantages offer
Page 7 and 8: 10.3.4 Cross-border commuters .....
Page 9 and 10: 9. Excellent educational institutio
Page 11 and 12: 1.2 Climate. Switzerland’s climat
Page 13 and 14: Despite the close proximity of diff
Page 15 and 16: 1.7.2 Direct investments and Swiss
Page 17 and 18: 1.8 Switzerland in figures. Fig. 7:
Page 19 and 20: Fig. 9: Industry structure, percent
Page 21 and 22: 2.2.2 Direct investments In additio
Page 23 and 24: The medical technology industry is
Page 25 and 26: Dachorganisation Informatik- und Te
Page 27: 3. Economic framework. Free competi
Page 31 and 32: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellec
Page 33 and 34: In the main, Swiss product liabilit
Page 35 and 36: 3.5.2 Environment Swiss environment
Page 37 and 38: 4.2 Political and economic cooperat
Page 39 and 40: 4.3 The euro. Even though the offic
Page 41 and 42: The following criteria are crucial
Page 43 and 44: Liability Minimum capital Consultin
Page 45 and 46: Sole proprietorship and general par
Page 47 and 48: 5.4.2 Entry in the commercial regis
Page 49 and 50: Fig. 19: Do I need a visa? I would
Page 51 and 52: 6.1.3 Application procedure 1. Pers
Page 53 and 54: 6.3.3 Special case: students The pr
Page 55 and 56: EU/EFTA nationals EU-17 (original E
Page 57 and 58: Social insurance for foreign nation
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Page 73 and 74: If the weekly maximum working hours
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Calculation of family allowances by
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9. Financial center and capital mar
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Cantonal banks Deposit Protection o
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a minimum requirement is that purch
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Business angels in Switzerland www.
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9.6 Inflation. Switzerland has alwa
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Non-resident companies are subject
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10.2 Tax charge rate in internation
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10.3.3 Expatriates Qualifying expat
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10.4.2 Treaty rates Most treaties p
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10.5.7 Exports In addition to expor
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10.8 Transfer pricing rules. Accord
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outes. The connection between Germa
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Fig. 51: Direct intercontinental ai
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CHF 1.60 per thousand liters in Swi
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Fig. 54: Healthcare infrastructure,
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Fig. 55: Switzerland’s educationa
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PISA study Federal Office for Profe
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Fig. 59: Tuition fees in CHF per ye
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Fig. 61: School fees for internatio
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Institution Location Homepage SLF W
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Fig. 66: Personal safety, 2008 New
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Yellow Pages yellow.local.ch Langua
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Anyone who rents a property is urge
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Fig. 69: Real disposable income in
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14. Promoting Switzerland. Location
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Fig. 72: Examples of cantonal incen
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R&D project grants are available in
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20 TechnoArk, Sierre www.technoark.
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Switzerland. Trade & Investment Pro
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15.2 Table of figures. Fig. 1: Swit
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Countries of Europe. Handbook for I
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Language regions. Handbook for Inve
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