How to cross the border, customs to Switzerland and France?

Hi everyone. I might sound silly to some, but I don’t care. I live in the Paris region and I’m driving to Switzerland this summer. The thing is, I’m really struggling to understand what I need to do. I’ve read that I have to declare what I’m bringing (GPS, tablet, watch, phone, etc.). Is that true, and what’s the point? How does crossing the border by car work? Is it normally hassle-free, like passing through a toll in France? I have an expired ID card that’s been extended by the state, and I’ve printed the official government document explaining that Switzerland accepts it (just in case).

On the way back to France, we’d like to bring back some chocolate, maybe a little alcohol, some local biscuit boxes, and nothing more. Maybe one or two T-shirts from there, but no cigarettes, no devices, etc. Are there quantity limits? Since it’s just my wife and me, do we need to stop at the border when entering France?

Again, sorry for the basic questions, but we’re really confused, and when I ask customs, they just send me pages to read. So thanks to anyone who takes the time to answer each of my questions.

Switzerland is in Schengen, so crossing is just like in other bordering countries (Italy, Spain, Belgium...)

There are two main things to consider.

The Schengen Area, which allows free movement of people. This area is treated as a single space, with border checks "pushed" to the borders with non-Schengen countries.

As of today, the Schengen Area includes all EU states (with a few exceptions for certain overseas territories) except the UK, Ireland, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, and Cyprus. It also includes non-EU states: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

So, you can travel from southern Spain or Italy all the way to northern Norway without any immigration checks.

That covers people.

The second point is the customs union.

The entire EU (28 countries) has a single customs policy. You can move goods, shop, etc., between countries without formalities or duties.

In addition to these 28 countries, three non-EU members of the European Economic Area—Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein—also apply roughly the same rules.

And you’ll notice Switzerland isn’t mentioned. Special rules apply there, with customs duties if the value of what you’re carrying is too high, quantity allowances, etc.

These rules can be quite restrictive in both directions.

Here’s a Swiss document outlining these rules: www.ezv.admin.ch/...orm.%2018.50)%20.pdf

As for GPS—we’re talking about dedicated devices or apps with radar alerts. In some countries, they’re banned. In Switzerland, even *transporting* them is illegal, and it gets complicated.

And one more small additional detail: you’ll need a vignette for your car (CHF 40.00) if you drive on Swiss highways. You can buy it at customs or at any gas station.

Nothing special—no GPS/Coyote or other radar-detecting gadgets in the vehicle (even if dismantled and stored), a vignette if using the highway, check the regulations mentioned above for exports on your return, 120 km/h on highways, 80 on other roads, watch out for speed cameras. Highway signs are green, other roads are blue (opposite of France). You probably won’t see many customs officers, except maybe a customs vehicle doing random checks anywhere... (in France or Switzerland)...

That’s about it... 😄

Over the past 10 years, I've entered Switzerland about ten times, and they've never asked me for anything except to buy the highway vignette when I entered via the motorway. Pretty nice, really—unlike in other countries like Austria, Slovenia, or the Czech Republic, where they let you in without a vignette and then catch you later.

Hi

For physically crossing the border, check Google Maps. One of the main crossing points between France and Switzerland is in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois on the highway, at the Bardonnex customs. In practice, you’ll go through the checkpoints at a very slow speed—something like 10 km/h. The officer will signal you to stop or pull over for an inspection. If there’s no instruction or staff, just keep going. There’s no systematic check.

Regarding goods, you can bring any used items into Switzerland, including your car, without formalities or tax payments. You can also bring what you need for your trip, like medical treatment (for the duration of your stay) or food. Anything new is limited to 300 CHF (Swiss francs) in value (including gifts) per person.

For the return trip to France, it’s the same. For purchases, the limit is 300 € in value (not cumulative for the same item: for example, it doesn’t apply if you’re two people buying a new tablet for 600 €). Beyond that, you’ll have to pay taxes + VAT. Be careful with certain goods (alcohol, tobacco)—quantity allowances apply: for cigarettes, it’s 200 per person (one carton). For alcohol, I think it’s 1 liter of spirits + 1 liter of non-spirits.

No need to stop if you’re within these limits and/or no officer is present and/or they don’t signal you to stop.

At the same time, bringing back alcohol and cigarettes from Switzerland isn't really worth it given the prices, unless you've been to Samnaun.

I don’t see the point of giving all these explanations to someone who doesn’t feel like reading... The rules are basically the same as for going to Spain or Italy—you don’t need to declare everything you don’t intend to import into Switzerland, and I assume the guy isn’t traveling with his phone or tablet still in its original packaging.

As for bringing back alcohol at full price from a country that doesn’t even produce it—that’s just laughable. He’d be better off checking his international bank card’s spending limit, assuming he even has one.

Remember that a French customs check can also happen well after the border.

I mean, if he’s traveling with a radar detector on his smartphone, using it, and then gets caught at the border or at a red light because it’s visible, he’ll be in deep trouble.

Declaring things is a principle. You either respect it or you don’t. And no, the duty-free allowances and values aren’t the same as for travel within the EU. Just make sure you know what you’re allowed to bring, in either direction.

Remember that a French customs check can also happen well after the border.

True! But if he just wants to smuggle some chocolate and cookies, he’s not risking much. 😏 Drug trafficking usually comes from Spain, and for weapons, I don’t know—you’d have to ask the folks from Marseille’s northern neighborhoods, but I don’t think they transit through Switzerland either. I have family in Switzerland, so I go there often, and customs officers don’t really have time for pointless checks. They only stop cars that look suspicious to them—like luxury cars with four guys inside or, on the flip side, rolling junk heaps that don’t seem like they could afford a vacation in Switzerland. That said, Serge will still need to stop if he has to buy the vignette. Personally, I don’t see the point in smuggling boxes of chocolate—especially since I only like dark chocolate... 😏

The rules are basically the same as for going to Spain or Italy (...) As for bringing back alcohol at a high price from a country that doesn’t produce it, it’s still laughable.

No, the rules are absolutely not the same: the country is outside the EU, which is why there are still physical customs posts with Switzerland, whereas they’ve disappeared within the EU. Switzerland is a wine producer, FYI. And there was a time when the French used to buy their cigarettes in Switzerland, as they were cheaper. Not being a smoker, I don’t know the current price difference. Also, FYI, buying computer equipment is cheaper in Switzerland than in France. Between the tax refund and the taxation in France, you’ll need to do the math to see if it’s worth it. But keep in mind that you’ll have to add 20% VAT when returning to France, which isn’t the case in Spain or Italy.

As for bringing back alcohol at a high price from a country that doesn’t produce it—it’s still laughable.

No alcohol in Switzerland! Well, I never! But why on earth are the banks of the Rhône covered in vineyards, from Geneva to Valais? 😉

It's for decoration, you didn't know that... 😉

Hi, just wanted to point out that Switzerland produces alcohol similar to France… so do your research before making claims.

yes, but more expensive, which limits the interest in importing them

Come on, stop jumping on me! Of course I know Valais wines, but as far as I know, Switzerland doesn’t produce whisky or cognac, and it’s not worth bringing back alcohol that costs twice as much as it does here. Just a reminder—I’ve got family in Switzerland and I’ve been going there since I was a kid.

It’s really Serghio who needs the explanation—I doubt he’s thinking about Swiss wines when he talks about bringing back alcohol. To be honest, I’m not even sure he knows the national currency isn’t the euro and that prices are super high.

oh yes, you bet... 😉

http://www.whisky-suisse.ch/prestige.html

Yeah, yeah, I know all about the currency. And I'm staying with friends, so no worries there. As for alcohol, I don’t see the point in buying a bottle I could find in France 😄. And if I do buy alcohol, it’ll be 2-3 bottles max. They won’t make a fortune off me 😄.

Oh yeah, and on top of kirsch, there are other fruit spirits like apricot brandy, plum, raspberry, damassine, and absinthe too....... Anasthasie's family must run on Henniez 😛

Or a Diet Coke like me... 😉

Hi there,

A lot of people here seem to forget that Geneva Airport isn’t far, so duty-free isn’t more expensive ;) But that’s not the case for everyone. And yes, Switzerland does make alcohol, and the region produces wine—it’s not as good as they claim, but they do make it!

If you have a passport, try to bring it along with your ID card. My partner got a hard time because their French ID card, even though it was extended by the French state, isn’t well-received in Switzerland. Flash your papers with the utmost care and your brightest smile. Swiss customs officers don’t mess around with the French, nor does the police, for that matter! If they ask if you have anything to declare, even if it’s within the legal limit or just your luggage, say yes. If you say no and they think you should’ve said yes for a bag with 3 bananas, they *can* give you a hard time for no reason. Honestly, this is all true—I’ve worked in Switzerland, my partner too, and I’ve lived near the border for over 20 years. I can tell you that if they can be a pain, they *will* be :)

Oh wow...

The French national ID card (CNI) +5 years is officially recognized by Switzerland. https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/publiservice/weisungen-kreisschreiben/visa/liste1_staatsangehoerigkeit/leg_reisedoks/FRA-2.html How could it be frowned upon?

However, if your spouse was a minor when their CNI was issued, it couldn’t have been extended by 5 years.

Where do you live, Dominique? It’s frowned upon because even though Switzerland accepts it, customs officers aren’t as flexible and don’t like approving this kind of thing.

I live in France, a country where the law of the Republic requires law enforcement (police, customs, immigration, etc.) to respect French legislation. I can't imagine Switzerland wouldn't do the same.

I don't know what "mal vu" (frowned upon) or "not liking to accept" means. There's no flexibility involved. Either the document is valid or it isn't—it's binary.

+5 refers to the period from January 2, 2004, to December 31, 2013.

At the time of your check, only ID cards issued to adults between January 2004 and June 2009 were (or had been, for those issued from January to June 2004) in the +5 category. If your partner is "young," that might explain your experience. If their ID wasn’t in the +5 category, then the customs officer might have had an issue.

Here’s a table to give you an idea: www.service-public.fr/...ers/vosdroits/F32303

I’ll ask again since I didn’t get an answer: How old (adult/minor) was your partner when their ID was issued?

I get the feeling you’ve never had the chance to taste the really good wines produced just in the canton of Geneva (you’ve got to go to the open cellars—they’re not sold commercially), and I’d really like to know why you claim customs officers could hassle you over 3 bananas. Why write such nonsense?

I’ve tasted plenty of Swiss wine and honestly, I don’t find it all that great.

Why did I say customs officers might hassle you over 3 bananas? It was a silly example to make my point. I can tell you that as a French person, we often end up at customs with officers protesting over things that are absolutely ridiculous.

Dom, I also asked you a question. My partner was an adult at the time. Whether it’s the law or not, some people just love to put you in your place even when they’re wrong. Like with motorcycles—sometimes they try to slap you with fines that make no sense.

I can tell you I’ve been on the receiving end multiple times of customs officers nitpicking because they can’t reprimand you for something that actually bothers them. And I’m far from the only one.

Dom, even in our own country, we have corrupt cops and police brutality. It’s the same everywhere, so don’t come telling me how customs officers behave—I’ve crossed paths with them several times a day, every day, for years.

I’d rather not continue this discussion given the direction you’d like it to take.

I’ll just wrap up by reminding everyone that customs officers worldwide are there to enforce customs regulations.

These rules are complex and still apply between France and Switzerland since Switzerland isn’t part of the European Union or even the EEA.

Duty-free allowances for cross-border commuters, frontier workers, and international transport employees are very limited because, by definition, they can cross borders every day. www.legifrance.gouv.fr/...p;dateTexte=20190620

Examples for entering France, regardless of the cross-border commuter’s nationality: - 40 cigarettes for a cross-border commuter, - 0.5 liters of wine for a cross-border commuter, - other goods: 75 € for a cross-border commuter. You can imagine it’s not much different the other way around, right?

Beyond these limits, duties, taxes, VAT, etc., must be paid. Cross-border commuters know these rules well—they’ve been in place for years—even if they claim otherwise. It’s the usual cat-and-mouse game, as always.

Fair enough, let's leave it at that. There's a difference between theory and practice, between texts and reality. As long as you think you know it all about people who've been through things, it's clear no one will move forward!

Where do you live, Dominique? It’s frowned upon because even though Switzerland accepts it, customs officers aren’t as flexible and don’t like approving this kind of thing.

The idea of something being "well-regarded" or "frowned upon" has no place in the reasoning of an immigration or customs officer. Either the Swiss government accepts a regulation, or it doesn’t, and the officer enforces those decisions. The rest is just talk. Sorry, but often you just have to apply and enforce the law.

For your info, goods declared under duty-free allowances obviously don’t need to be declared. It’s a right.

Otherwise, declare your vehicle too while you’re at it: it’s also admitted duty-free and represents the highest value when you go through customs.

As for Swiss border guards, sure, they can be a bit cold. But it’s also their way of asserting their authority, especially with people coming from countries where respect for authority is lower (it’s well-known everywhere, actually).

Regarding nitpicking: Actually, border guards will run your names through their databases as soon as the check starts. They check if you’re wanted, banned from entering, or have outstanding traffic fines or other issues. I’ve often heard of cross-border commuters getting caught “by surprise” on their way to work in the morning and having to pay hefty fines on the spot for parking violations or other offenses. If you’re not flagged negatively in their files and you have a credible reason for coming to Switzerland (a very tourist-friendly country), the inspection will rarely go deep. Otherwise, it’s usually just a quick search of the car or luggage, but that’s not common.

Finally, the mention of corruption is kind of amusing. I don’t get the impression that Switzerland is a country where small arrangements are frequent. From what I’ve read in the Swiss press, cases of police corruption seem quite rare (Except maybe in Geneva).

What’s been said should also be taken in the local context. There’s tension in the border area, especially around Geneva. Probably due to cultural differences (in the broad sense).

It’s also pretty funny to hear (quite widespread) cross-border commuters attributing all sorts of flaws to the Swiss. Besides the fact that Switzerland has a huge number of foreign residents, those same commuters don’t hesitate to cross the border to earn three times as much as in France without bearing the higher cost of living.

If you're talking about corruption based on what I said, you misunderstood. I was simply explaining to Dom that just because someone represents the law doesn’t mean they follow it to the letter without any exceptions. So I’m not saying Swiss customs officers are corrupt—just that, as you mentioned, there’s a bit of a rivalry with cross-border workers.

Swiss people have plenty of flaws, but so does everyone. And saying "the Swiss" is still talking about over 8 million people—so it doesn’t mean anything! Like saying the French don’t respect the police. Some do, some don’t. ANYWAY. It’s clear that Swiss police tend to target French people more than Swiss citizens.

As for taking advantage of the salary—yes, that’s true, though not every cross-border worker earns 5,000 CHF, let’s be clear. As a cross-border worker, you pay for *LaMal* (or CMU, but for me it was 333 CHF per month for *LaMal*), you pay taxes that add up to a pretty penny, and just because you’re a cross-border worker doesn’t mean you’re living *super* well. In Annemasse, everything costs an arm and a leg—rent, food, parking, activities (and some don’t even earn a Swiss salary). So yes, there are advantages, and we take them, but that doesn’t make us oil sheikhs. Because after my exchange rate, paying *LaMal*, I only earned 200 CHF more than I did in hospitality in France working 39 hours a week—while putting in more hours here! (The 200 CHF extra is if you prorate the hours worked in Switzerland with a French salary.)

SOOOOO it’s not *that* amazing. Plus, the Swiss benefit too. They get to pay lower salaries (the job I had was previously done by a Swiss woman who earned 1,400 CHF *net* more than my *gross*), some live in France, others do their shopping here, yet they criticize us just as much. It’s a give-and-take.

The term "corruption of Swiss authorities" was used. Strictly speaking, it has little relevance here given Swiss morality (I wouldn’t be disparaging by citing other countries where the situation is more problematic)... even if Geneva seems to be a small exception...

It’s not illogical that Border Guards check non-Swiss residents more often.

Some time ago, I had a dispute with a transport company (resolved by customer service later). I had to pay an invoice, and I was told that if I didn’t, I’d be registered with the debt enforcement office and the police would come to my home. As a non-resident, the second phase would have been complicated to enforce. The only solution: a border check.

You probably know many cross-border workers who’ve been caught at the border for unpaid traffic fines (speeding, parking...). It’s very common. A friend had to pay her outstanding fines while going through immigration at an airport in the country while heading on vacation.

For cross-border workers, I understand your point of view.

But someone working under French labor law also pays health insurance contributions (the CSG and CRDS lines on my pay slip have very significant amounts, not including supplementary insurance). Plus, I learned when I went to the tax center for my declaration that all your health contributions are tax-deductible... unlike for the French: a non-significant portion of my CSG is taxable!

Still, Swiss salaries are much higher—let’s not pretend otherwise (even if Geneva is known for abuses).

The standard of living is much higher in border regions than in other parts of France (especially around Lake Geneva, less so in Alsace). But think about workers under French status who endure this standard of living without corresponding salaries.

Yes, working hours are longer in Switzerland than in France, and there’s more precarity... but given the number of cross-border workers who take the risk, the game must be worth the candle, as they say.

Sure, the Swiss benefit from shopping in France, but the Geneva Migros and Manor stores haven’t gone bankrupt, unlike in Basel, where it’s easy for Swiss residents to shop in "duty-free" stores.

As a cross-border resident under a French contract, I find the complaints from cross-border workers (the ones you’re making aren’t unique to you but are widespread in this community) quite hard to hear. The "existential financial problems" are pretty far from the yellow vests’ demands about making it to the end of the month.

As I mentioned before, not every cross-border worker earns 5,000 CHF—there’s a real issue there. I earned more than a French person working in France, but again, it wasn’t nearly enough to live large or go wild.

You’re talking about those struggling with the cost of living on the French side, and I’ve mentioned that too—I’m one of them, my mom is, my partner is... I pay rent for an average apartment that would get me a house elsewhere. I spend 80 € on groceries for just three meals, and I pay 13 € for a movie ticket while others pay 6 €. I live this reality, but when I was in Switzerland, it just meant I could afford a few extra expenses here and there—like buying name-brand groceries instead of store brands or treating myself to a movie and dinner out occasionally. But absolutely no chance of upgrading my apartment, buying a newer car, or splurging on designer clothes. Because let me repeat: NOT EVERY CROSS-BORDER WORKER EARNS 5,000 CHF. Some make just 2,000 CHF, and once you’ve paid all your bills, well...

I’ve always filed my taxes, and I’ve never had tax deductions for my health insurance. And social security plus a mutual insurance plan rarely costs just 300 bucks—especially since that 300 doesn’t even include the mutual plan.

It’s the same for the Swiss—stop thinking it’s some kind of paradise for them (or even foreigners living and working there). Once you look at everything they have to pay and how much they actually take home, a lot of people would come down from their conquistador high. And don’t just look at Geneva to get the full picture of Switzerland—it’s a jet-set lifestyle for many. But trust me, there are plenty of Swiss people struggling too.

Please!! I posted a message, a question that might seem basic to some. Thanks to those who replied in PM. Please stop settling your differences here. We never finish because everyone goes off into comments that go beyond my question. Why don’t you exchange in PM instead? It’d be more sensible. Thanks to everyone

You take your Coyote out of the vehicle before departure, buy a highway vignette if you plan to use it, and everything will be fine...

Hi there,

No laughing if you don’t know!

Switzerland makes excellent white spirits (between 40 and 50% alcohol) that are highly prized by enthusiasts (like me) at a reasonable price for those in the know. I’ve already brought back some Fendant from Valais, a fantastic Swiss white wine, and I’m not the only one! But with 6 bottles and 4 adults in the car, the customs officers didn’t bat an eye. For chocolate, I’ve never seen a customs officer take an interest.

So as long as you stay within reasonable limits—and considering you’ll see that Swiss prices are often a bit high—you’ll be fine!

Enjoy your visit to this beautiful country.

JP

And I’d really like to know why you claim that customs officers can hassle you over 3 bananas. Why write such nonsense?

I don’t know about 3 bananas, but for 1 kg of tea, yes! :( I was checked at Zurich Airport coming from Sri Lanka. I had a kilo of tea. Back then (1976), in Sri Lanka, it was hard to buy less than 1 kg. And I never expected to get in trouble over a pack of tea! Well, it cost me a fine—I’ve forgotten the amount—but more importantly, I had to wait around for almost an hour and missed my train to France! (Paperwork to fill out, etc.) I had 10 times the allowed limit because, according to Swiss customs, the limit was 100 g per person back then!! So being hassled over 3 slightly oversized bananas? Why not? ;)

Beer is way cheaper than in France... and much better...

At 0.50 CHF or even 1 CHF max for a 50cl can... in France, you can’t even get a disgusting budget beer for that price... In Switzerland, you’ve got several brands at that price (24-can packs), like Moretti, la Valaisanne, and others...

I don’t know about taxes and stuff, but when it comes to beer, I stock up every time I travel to Switzerland! 🍻