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Registering an imported car in Switzerland: Your path to obtaining a Swiss license plate.

Begin your seamless transition to Swiss roads after importing a car. Our road registration experts will guide you through every step, from the necessary documents to a successful registration.

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Vehicle import and registration in Switzerland: Your guide to road registration

  1. Import Customs: Before you can register your imported car in Switzerland, you must first bring it into the country and complete all necessary customs formalities. This also includes Form 13.20 A, which is issued by Swiss customs.
  2. Motor Vehicle Inspection (MFK): Before your imported car can be registered in Switzerland, it must undergo a Motor Vehicle Inspection (MFK). This ensures that the vehicle meets Switzerland’s safety and environmental standards.
  3. License Plate & Registration in the Canton: After a successful MFK, the next step is to apply for a Swiss license plate and register the vehicle in your residential canton. Each canton has its own regulations. But with the Import-Butler by your side, this process is significantly simplified. Regardless of your residential canton, we are here to assist you and make the process of creating the import registration dossier and visiting the registration office easier for you.

Your options: How to register your vehicle in Switzerland after import.

In Switzerland, there are basically three different types of registration for car imports.

  • New registration: A fresh, shiny Swiss license plate awaits your new car.

  • Vehicle transfer: Assign the license plate of your old vehicle to your imported car.

  • Switching plates: Your current and new vehicles share the same license plate. Convenient, isn’t it?

Vehicle import into Switzerland: Important documents for registration.

If you intend to definitively import and register a vehicle in Switzerland, you should ensure that all necessary documents are readily available. Particularly critical for the import and subsequent registration in your canton are:

  • The German vehicle registration certificate and certificate of ownership: These serve as proof of the origin and specifications of your vehicle.
  • Form 13.20 A, issued by Swiss customs: This is a critical step when importing a vehicle into Switzerland as it confirms customs clearance.
  • Certificate of Conformity (COC): This document confirms that the vehicle complies with the applicable EU standards.
  • If your vehicle still has German license plates, it’s important to bring them as well when registering the vehicle in Switzerland.

The successful registration of your imported vehicle depends on these documents, as well as compliance with Swiss regulations and type approvals. If you have any questions or uncertainties about car imports and registration, we are always available to assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions about Road Registration of Imported Cars in Switzerland.

The Road Traffic Office is represented in every canton in Switzerland. To find the specific office in your canton, visit the official website of the respective canton or search online for “Road Traffic Office[Ihr Kanton]”.

No, this is not possible at the moment.

For the first registration of an import car you need the following original documents:

Yes, the Import-Butler offers a comprehensive service for vehicle registration in Switzerland. We handle the entire registration process for you, regardless of which canton you live in.

After the vehicle has been checked at the motor vehicle inspection, the registration via the import butler takes between 2 and 3 working days.

Whether you can register a vehicle in Switzerland after it has been imported is decided by the motor vehicle inspection after the test. If you have any questions, we recommend that you first contact the Road Traffic Office.

For a successful registration of an imported car in Switzerland, compliance with the emission standards and regulations is crucial. Here are some key points regarding that:

  1. Current emission standards: Since 2015, Switzerland has adhered to the EU’s Euro 6 emission standards for newly registered passenger cars. This means that diesel vehicles must not exceed a nitrogen oxide emission of 80 mg/km, and direct-injection gasoline engines must not exceed a particle emission of 6×10^11 particles/km.
    • For new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (classes M and N1): Euro 6d.
    • For new heavy-duty commercial vehicles (classes N2, N3, M2, M3): Euro VI-E.
    • For motorcycles, three-wheelers, and quadricycles (class L): Euro 5.
  2. Older vehicles: For older vehicles that were produced before the introduction of the newer emission standards, the regulations applicable at the time of production apply. However, this does not automatically mean that every older vehicle can be registered in Switzerland. Certain limit values still need to be adhered to.
  3. CO2 emissions: Switzerland has set a goal to reduce the CO2 emissions of new passenger cars. Therefore, in addition to the emission standards, there are also CO2 emission targets. The average CO2 emission for new passenger cars should not exceed 95 grams per kilometer by 2020.
  4. Import from non-EU countries: When importing vehicles from countries outside the EU, special caution is required. Many of these countries have less stringent emission standards. An imported vehicle from these countries must still meet Swiss emission standards, which may require potentially expensive technical modifications.

If you are unsure whether your imported vehicle complies with Swiss emission standards, it is recommended to seek advice before importing. This avoids unpleasant surprises and potentially high retrofitting costs.

The EC Certificate of Conformity, also known as Certificate of Conformity (COC), is a document that confirms the vehicle complies with European standards. It is an essential part of the registration process for imported vehicles in Switzerland.

The Form 13.20 A is issued by the Swiss Customs and confirms that all customs duties for the imported vehicle have been paid. Without this document, the registration cannot be carried out.

The costs vary depending on the canton and type of vehicle. In addition to the registration fees, there may also be costs for type approval, the MFK (motor vehicle inspection), or other necessary checks.

Interested parties can bid for a specific license plate number through the Road Traffic Office’s auction platform. The costs for this can vary depending on the popularity of the number.

With a foreign license plate, you are generally allowed to drive in Switzerland for up to a year, provided you do not have a permanent residence in Switzerland. If you have a permanent residence or after the year has elapsed, you must register the vehicle in Switzerland and acquire a Swiss license plate.

Before a vehicle is registered in Switzerland, it must be insured. The insurance company usually sends the proof of insurance electronically to the Road Traffic Office.

Road registration for your imported car
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