E‑commerce in Switzerland

With EUR 52,566 per capita, Switzerland is in second place in a European comparison—only Liechtenstein is higher at EUR 70,018 per capita.

Good to know: As a direct partner state of Switzerland, Liechtenstein is integrated logistically and is covered by our Switzerland solution.

Switzerland is one of the most digitally savvy countries in Europe. Around 85% of the population regularly shop online, around 20-25% of which shop on German websites.

Swiss marketplaces are booming: Eight of the ten top-selling online stores are marketplaces. The leading platforms include:

In Switzerland, delivery is a particularly decisive factor for the customer experience. Consumers expect transparent shipment tracking, reliable time slots and flexible pick-up options—and prefer carriers that guarantee this service.

Swiss Post is the first choice: more than 70% of consumers prefer it over other delivery services.

Retailers who rely on Swiss Post therefore benefit from a clear advantage in terms of trust—and demonstrably improve delivery rates and customer satisfaction.

As a non-EU country, Switzerland levies import VAT (CH VAT) on imports in addition to customs duties.

Since January 2025, another rule applies: For marketplace sales, platforms such as Amazon or Zalando are subject to VAT—retailers only receive the net amount.

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Goods imported into Switzerland are generally subject to customs clearance.

The amount of import duties depends on the gross weight and the Swiss customs tariff. The basis for this is the correct goods tariff number (HS code), which must be uniquely assigned to each individual item

A precise customs setup not only ensures compliant imports, but also the targeted optimization of overall costs.

Return shipments from Switzerland are considered re-imports under customs law and must be correctly declared as returned goods—including a reference to the original export. This is the only way to avoid unnecessary customs duties and ensure smooth returns.

With a returns rate of over 20%, Switzerland is one of the countries with the most returns in Europe. Clear processes, local return addresses and transparent conditions are therefore crucial for customer satisfaction and efficient processing.