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Selling in Switzerland: distributors, retail and marketplaces
Switzerland is a small, wealthy market with high prices and very demanding buyers. It is not in the EU: it has its own currency, customs border and product safety law, and it uses three main business languages depending on the region.
We serve Swiss buyers together with the German-speaking part of your project, from our company and partner warehouse in Poland, with Swiss customs clearance on delivery and Swiss rules checked for each product.
How B2B buying works in Switzerland
Swiss buyers include importers and distributors that supply the whole country, large retail groups, specialist shops, tourism and hospitality businesses, and companies buying high-quality promotional products. Because the market is small and costs are high, most products reach Swiss shops through an importer, not directly from the factory.
Swiss buyers pay well but expect a lot: excellent quality, complete documents, correct labelling, quick delivery and a reliable contact person. Many importers also buy from German or Austrian distributors, so a new supplier must offer something those ranges do not have.
What Chinese suppliers often get wrong
Treating Switzerland like an EU country. The EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) does not apply in Switzerland; products must meet Swiss product safety law, and labels and instructions must be in the official language or languages of the region where they are sold. Goods cross a customs border: since 1 January 2024 Switzerland charges no customs duty on industrial products, but customs declarations and import VAT still apply. Which Swiss obligations apply to a product, and who must carry them, depends on the category, so we check this for each product.
How we approach Switzerland
We look for Swiss importers and distributors in your category, starting with the German-speaking part of the country, and contact them in German, French or Italian as needed. Goods ship from Poland or directly from your factory, with Swiss customs clearance on delivery. Contracts with buyers are signed in your name, and every introduced buyer is registered in the shared CRM.
Sales channels in Switzerland
We choose the channels that fit your product, price level and order size.
Swiss importers and distributors
Companies that import, clear customs and supply shops and trades across Switzerland.
Retail groups and specialist shops
Large retail groups with strict supplier requirements, and independent specialist retailers.
Corporate and promotional buyers
Promotional agencies and companies buying premium gifts and branded goods.
Tourism and hospitality
Hotels, souvenir shops and tourist businesses buying gifts and supplies.
Trade fairs
Swiss buyers regularly visit the large German fairs, such as Ambiente and Spielwarenmesse.
Selling in Switzerland: what to know
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Language of offers | German for most buyers; French and Italian for buyers in those regions. Labels and instructions in the official language or languages of the sales region. |
| Currency and payment | Prices in Swiss francs (CHF) or euro. Importers usually expect payment after delivery and prices that include delivery to Switzerland. |
| VAT | Standard rate 8.1%, charged on import and on domestic sales. |
| Customs | Switzerland is outside the EU customs union. No customs duty on industrial products since 1 January 2024, but customs declarations, import VAT and other fees remain. |
| Product rules | Swiss product safety law applies instead of the EU GPSR. Many technical requirements follow EU standards, but the obligations for each product category are checked separately. |
| Trade fairs | Swiss buyers mostly attend the German fairs: Ambiente and Christmasworld in Frankfurt, Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg. |
| How we serve it | Together with Germany and Austria, from our company in Poland, with partners for customs clearance and French- and Italian-language contacts. |
Strongest categories for Switzerland
Industries where quality and design can earn a premium price.
Frequently asked questions
Does EU GPSR apply in Switzerland?
No. Switzerland is not in the EU, and products sold there must meet Swiss product safety law. Many requirements are similar to EU rules, but labelling languages and the obligations of importers are Swiss. We check them for your products.
Do I pay customs duty when exporting to Switzerland?
For industrial products, no: Switzerland abolished these duties on 1 January 2024, whatever the country of origin. You still need a customs declaration, and import VAT of 8.1% is charged. Agricultural products have their own rules.
Which language should offers to Switzerland be in?
German for most buyers, French for western Switzerland and Italian for Ticino. Labels and instructions must be in the official language or languages of the region where the product is sold.
Do I need a Swiss company?
Not to sell to Swiss importers: they buy from your factory or from our company in Poland and clear customs themselves. Whether a product needs a Swiss-based responsible party depends on its category; we check this per product.
How long until the first order?
We cannot promise a date. Swiss importers usually test samples carefully and check documents and labels before ordering; expect several months for a first order.
Reach Swiss importers
Send your catalogue and documents. We reply within one working day and tell you what Swiss buyers and customs will need.
Apply for European sales
Tell us what you make and where you want to sell. Within one working day we reply with a first view of your chances in Europe and the next step.
- Reply within 24 hours on working days
- Write in English or Chinese
- No fee until you accept a written proposal
- Emailcorp@longmeniq.com
- WhatsApp+48 794 992 599
- WeChat+48 794 992 599Add us by phone number
- Phone+48 577 723 719
- Working hoursMon–Fri, 9:00–17:00 Warsaw16:00–24:00 Beijing (winter)
- EU officeEnjoyGroup Sp. z o.o.ul. Brzeska 8/4, 21-500 Biała Podlaska, Poland