Car import from Italy
Italy is a direct neighbour with a lively vehicle market – particularly interesting for sports cars, classic cars and vehicles from dry southern regions. Italian VAT of 22% is fully reclaimable on a standard-rated purchase.
Advantages of importing from Italy
At 22%, Italy has one of the higher VAT rates in Europe – which also means a correspondingly high reclaim potential on a standard-rated dealer purchase. The Italian market has a character of its own: sports and enthusiast cars are strongly represented, and vehicles from the dry south are often in better condition than comparable used cars from regions where roads are salted. For an import into Ticino or southern Switzerland the distances are short as well.
Italian export documents
To export from Italy, the vehicle is deregistered for export in the national vehicle register (PRA). This involves the Carta di circolazione and the proof of ownership (Certificato di Proprietà) – without those papers the car will not cross the border cleanly. We handle the export customs clearance and make sure, together with the dealer, that the documents are complete. That is the precondition for getting the 22% Italian VAT back.
Process and costs of an Italian import
The process is the same as for any EU import: purchase from the Italian dealer, procurement of the documents (CoC, certificate of origin), Italian export clearance, insured transport to Switzerland, then import clearance, the CO₂ levy, the MFK inspection and registration. Swiss charges are 8.1% VAT and 4% automobile tax, plus the CO₂ levy depending on the vehicle. Transports from Italy are arranged on request; for older cars and classics an independent valuation is also worth having as the basis for the customs value.
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