Destination file · united-kingdom
Buy from Switzerland,
delivered to the United Kingdom.
Most Swiss originating goods enter the UK duty free under the UK–Switzerland trade agreement, with proof of origin. VAT at 20% applies from the first pound, and above £135 it is collected at the border rather than at checkout.
What duty actually costs
Duty free, with proof.
The UK–Switzerland trade agreement carried the previous EU arrangement across after Brexit, so Swiss originating goods still enter duty free. The condition is the same as Japan: you have to be able to prove origin, and without proof the full rate applies.
- Jan 2021UK–CH agreement appliesContinuity agreement preserves duty-free access for Swiss originating goods after Brexit.0%
- Jan 2021£135 VAT ruleBelow £135, VAT is collected at the point of sale. Above it, at the border.20%
- OngoingOrigin must be provenNo declaration, no preference. The full MFN rate applies instead.0% or MFN
- OngoingVAT from the first poundThe £135 figure changes who collects, never whether it is owed.20%
- The £135 figure is widely misread as a tax-free allowance. It is not. It determines the collection point: below it VAT is due at the point of sale, above it at the border. Either way you pay 20%. We collect it in the quote and remit it, so nothing is presented on delivery.
Sources: UK–Switzerland Trade Agreement (applied January 2021); HMRC guidance on VAT and overseas goods; UK Global Tariff. Verified 11 August 2026.
Landed cost
What it actually costs to land in United Kingdom.
Every figure updates live. The duty basis, tax base and de-minimis rule change with the destination — that is the whole reason this page exists.
Nothing owed on arrivalCHF 2'103.70≈ 1,956.44 GBP
Most requested
What the UK buys from Switzerland.
Our shortest and cheapest route, which shifts the mix towards ordinary goods rather than only high-value ones.
- ✓Watches and jewelleryDuty free with origin proof, so the landed gap against UK authorised dealers is unusually wide.
- ✓Chocolate and fine foodsShort transit means less risk in summer and more products that travel well.
- ✓Swiss pharmacy and skincareProducts with no UK distributor, frequently reordered.
- ✓Coffee machines and appliances230 V matches the UK supply. Only a Type G plug adapter is needed.
- ✓Outdoor and ski equipmentBought ahead of Alpine seasons, often shipped to arrive before travel.
- ✓Stationery and design goodsLow value, low freight cost, and viable on this route in a way it is not to Australia.
Restricted or refused
What we will not ship there.
We screen every request against this list before quoting. A refusal costs you nothing; a seizure costs you the goods.
- ✕Certain knives and bladed articlesImport and sale restrictions apply to specific types. Age verification is required on delivery for others.
- ✕Meat and dairy above personal allowancesPost-Brexit rules apply to Swiss goods. We check quantity and product type.
- ✕Prescription medicinesNot shipped, regardless of the Swiss prescription status.
- ✕Certain supplementsNovel food and ingredient rules apply. Assessed per product.
- ✕Alcohol above duty-free allowanceExcise applies and licensing is required. Outside our scope.
- ✕Anything sanctioned or dual-useScreened against SECO and UK lists at quote and payment.
Transit
Geneva to London overnight.
The shortest route we operate, and the cheapest freight in our network. Consolidation matters less here simply because shipping costs so little.
Questions
Shipping to United Kingdom, answered.
Is £135 a tax-free allowance?
No, and this is the most common misunderstanding on this route. VAT at 20% is due on imported goods from the first pound. The £135 figure only determines who collects it — below that, the seller collects at the point of sale; above it, it is collected at the border. We include VAT in the quote and remit it either way, so nothing is charged on delivery.
How do I get the 0% duty rate?
Through proof that the goods are Swiss originating under the UK–Switzerland agreement. It is not automatic, and without a valid origin declaration the full UK Global Tariff rate applies instead. We issue the declaration with the export file as standard.
Is this cheaper than just buying from a UK retailer?
On watches and Swiss-exclusive goods, usually yes — the 8.1% Swiss VAT refund plus duty-free entry often more than covers our fee. On mainstream products stocked in the UK, usually not, and we will tell you so rather than take the order.
Will a Swiss appliance work in the UK?
Yes. The UK runs 230 V at 50 Hz, the same as Switzerland, so only a Type G plug adapter is needed — no transformer. Manuals may be in German or French, and we will translate them if you want.
Get a UK landed cost in under a minute.
Related
Nearby destinations
- Ship Swiss products to Ireland
- Ship Swiss products to Germany
- Ship Swiss products to France
- Browse every destination file