Swiss Customs has introduced new regulations for personal importation of food and other goods. This is vaguely good news for true carnivores and pet owners, but bad news for lovers of delicatessen. Whereas a person used to be able to bring 500 grams of fresh meat or fish and 3.5 kilos of other meat products across the border, now people can only bring in one kilo – regardless of the type of meat. Pet food doesn’t count.
The limits for some classes of alcoholic drinks have increased. People over the age of 17 may now bring up to five litres of wine, beer or any other beverage with an alcohol content of less than 18%. The limit for spirits and reinforced wines, such as port, is still one litre per person. The maximum value of goods eligible for import 
without being subject to value-added tax remains the same as before: CHF 300 (including any alcohol and tobacco).
But take care: bring in more than CHF 300 worth of goods and duty is applied to the whole amount, not just to the excess! And be aware that allowances cannot be combined. While each adult family member may still bring in up to CHF 300 worth of goods duty free, the members cannot combine their allowances to bring in a single item worth more than CHF 300. The Swiss Customs Administration has published the new regulations in English. To view them click here.
