Muuttopalvelu M. Kähäri has extensive experience and expertise in moves from Switzerland. Moving from Switzerland is significantly more complex than moving from other European countries.
Since Switzerland is not an EU country, moving from there requires the completion of specific documents.
All moving goods must go through customs, which is a two-step process. When leaving Switzerland, the shipment receives a customs clearance, which is then finalized in Finland.
To import your moving goods into the EU tax-free, you must have lived in Switzerland for at least 12 months.
For example, vehicles being moved must have been owned by the mover for at least 6 months.
The 6-month ownership rule officially applies to all goods, but in practice, it mainly affects larger and more valuable items. Registered vehicles are typically the only items that can be effectively monitored. Unopened commercial packages cannot be imported as moving goods into the EU.
If you have lived in Switzerland for less than 12 months, you can apply in advance to the Finnish Customs Permit Center for special permission to bring goods into the EU tax-free. The application must include solid justification and be submitted well before the move.
In the Finnish Customs Form 045S, the moving date should be either the customs clearance date or a past date.
In the section “I have moved / commit to moving to Finland”, indicate either the customs date or a past date.
It is convenient to use the date when we pick up your shipment in Switzerland.
Filling these sections correctly helps avoid extra regulations or security deposits.
Do not include live plants in your shipment, as this will automatically place it in quarantine for an indefinite period. Also, avoid including tobacco, alcohol, or other excise goods.
Documents required for customs clearance.
These documents should be sent to us by email, but it is essential to provide them with the driver on moving day.
INVENTORY LIST (in German and Finnish, or English only)
Include the total number of items and the estimated value of the shipment.
Each item must be numbered, with the item number, contents, and estimated weight listed.
A template for the inventory list is available on our website.
FINNISH CUSTOMS FORM 045S
The form must indicate the date when the shipment is picked up by our moving truck.
The original signed form must be given to the driver (photocopies are not accepted).
Do not fill in the section about a transport vehicle (e.g., a car) if the vehicle is not being transported with our moving truck.
The 045S form is available for download on our website.
COPY OF IDENTITY DOCUMENT
Required from all movers
PROOF OF RESIDENCE IN SWITZERLAND
For example, a copy of your residence permit, employment certificate, or similar document.
Local municipalities in Switzerland can also issue a “Wohnsitzbescheinigung”, which is valid for customs purposes.
Useful links
Submit a moving notification to the Finnish Digital and Population Data Services Agency:
https://dvv.fi/muutto-ulkomaille
Information about moving, residence permits, and bringing goods from Switzerland (English):
https://www.ch.ch/en/customs/moving-to-switzerland/
Information about residence permits in Switzerland:
Customs information for movers from outside the EU:
LADATTAVIA TIEDOSTOJA
Finnish customs form 045S (.pdf / Finnish)
Inventory list template (.pdf / Finnish)
Volume calculator (.xls / Finnish)
