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Start a Transporting and Storage Company in Switzerland
Updated on Wednesday 07th August 2019 Rate this article
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Since Switzerland has a highly developed transportation system, it can be a great idea to start a transporting and storage business in this country. However, when entering this business sector, the investors should observe the regulations that are applicable in this case, as various permits and licenses can be necessary, based on the types of products transported and stored by the respective company. Our team of consultants in company registration in Switzerland can provide step-to-step advice on the incorporation requirements available here and can also assist investors with information on the legislation applicable in this field of activity. Furthermore, our representatives can help investors in drafting the company’s main documents and register them with the local institutions.
What are the procedures on the import of products into Switzerland?
Since the transportation of various goods and products can be conducted from foreign markets, in this case, the transporting and storage company is required to conduct a set of customs formalities. When importing products into Switzerland by land, the owner of the vehicle has to complete the following procedures:
- • the company must obtain the TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) Carnet;
- • this procedure is generally applicable for companies importing goods into Switzerland that are outside the European Union;
- • this is legally required only for the transportation of goods by land;
- • in Switzerland, transporting companies can obtain the TIR Carnet from the Swiss Road Transport Association;
- • the TIR Carnet can be used for the payment of customs duties and other necessary taxes;
- • when transporting goods on the Swiss roads, it is necessary to know that specific taxes can apply;
- • common taxes for the transportation of goods here are the motorway tax and the heavy goods vehicle tax.
What are the obligations of import-export companies in Switzerland?
The obligations of companies that are involved in import-export activities in Switzerland are prescribed by the Federal Customs Administration. Regardless if the company is involved in the import of specific products or in the export of local goods, such goods have to be declared with the customs authorities in Switzerland. If the company only transits Switzerland, with the purpose of transporting the goods to another jurisdiction, it is also necessary to apply for a transit document, and the goods have to be declared upon entering/leaving this country.
What are the characteristics of the Swiss transportation system?
Switzerland benefits from a reliable and developed transportation system. Those who want to open a company in Switzerland should know that the transportation system is comprised of road networks, railway lines, mountain railways, air and water transportation. The Swiss transportation system is characterized by the following:
- • the road network in Switzerland is comprised of 71,520 km of roads;
- • there are 5,200 km of railway lines and 1,000 km of mountain railways;
- • the airline routes cover 475,480 km and the country has 3 international airports and 11 regional airports;
- • at the level of 2016, the country had 5,9 million motor vehicles and 28,000 public transport stops;
- • Switzerland has approximately 1,800 tunnels and it is also the home of the world’s longest rail tunnel (57 km long);
- • 55 million passengers travel across Switzerland each year (numbers registered at the level of the country’s largest airports).
What are the rules for the transportation of dangerous products in Switzerland?
The transportation of dangerous (or hazardous) goods in Switzerland can only be done if specific regulations are met. These also vary based on the transportation means operated by the transportation and storage company in Switzerland. Our team of specialists in Swiss company formation can provide in-depth information on the rules available in this case.
Provided that the transportation of the dangerous goods in Switzerland is done by using an airplane, the main rules of law are prescribed by the Federal Office of the Civil Aviation (FOCA). Dangerous products cover a wide range of goods, that could harm the environment or the safety and the health of persons.
Such products have to be labeled accordingly and they can refer to explosives, gases, flammable liquids and solid, toxic substances, corrosive substances or radioactive substances. Businessmen are invited to contact our team of consultants in company formation in Switzerland for more information on any additional regulations that can apply to businesses involved in the transportation and the storage of various goods in this country.
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Being a member of BridgeWest legal network, I had the pleasure to work with colleagues at CompanyFormationSwitzerland.com. They handled successfully numerous company formation cases for my clients interested in starting businesses in Switzerland.
Mihai Cuc, Partner of MHC Law Firm