As you’re crossing the customs posts with bags of shopping from the New Year sales, be aware that customs officials can be extra vigilant at this time of year.They will often stop your car and ask if you have any merchandise to declare – so be sure you know your rights. The quantities and value of goods that you are allowed to take over the border change each year, so do check the relevant websites to make sure you have the latest facts.
Also be aware that customs officials will check your wallets and purses for old receipts – so if you have been making any large purchases recently, make sure you have the right paperwork with you to support the receipt. You don’t even have to have the goods with you in the car – a receipt is sufficient proof for the customs officials to fine you if you have gone over the limit!
If you are bringing goods back from France into Switzerland, the total value of goods must not exceed Fr. 300.-, or else tax will be applied. However, total value is not the only factor to bear in mind when you cross the border – how you spent the money is equally important. There is a limit on the quantities of certain items that you can bring over, principally food, drink and cigarettes.
Page 611 of Know-it-all passport 2011-2012 summarises the key merchandise affected by these limits – if you want more information, visit the website: http://www.ezv.admin.ch/zollinfo_privat/essen_trinken/00356/index.html?lang=fr
If, on the other hand, you are crossing from Switzerland to France, different rules apply. Children under 15 may bring goods up to the value of 150 euros over the border (before tax is applied) whilst adults can bring up to 300 euros of goods (if they are travelling by any means other than air or marine transport), and 430 euros (if they are travelling by air or marine transport). The following web page covers the essential points: http://www.douane.gouv.fr/data/file/1636.pdf
One question people often ask is whether it is possible to pool items from a number of adults crossing the border to buy one large item reaching the combined limit.
The French rules are very clear on this, and the answer is “no”. To quote:
You may transport up to 125 grams of sturgeon caviar per person, duty free. This limit is non-cumulative. Thus, two adults travelling together may not bring back a 250-gram can of caviar but they may bring back two 125-gram cans.
So be warned, if you’re bringing back caviar with a friend, know your limits!
