In a major update to its applied tariff, the Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) has introduced a new preferential duty regime for goods originating in Kosovo, effective from 1 October. The change grants duty-free access for the vast majority of products, including industrial goods across chapters 84 and 85, and sets specific preferential rates for certain agricultural and processed food items. Separately, the release also implements scheduled seasonal reductions to the general MFN duty rates for various cereals, vegetables, and animal feed products.
What this release changes
This release from the Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG), published on 2 October, is dominated by customs duty changes affecting over 6,200 tariff lines. The central development is the introduction of a new preferential tariff regime for goods originating in Kosovo. This is a significant trade-policy shift, granting duty-free access to thousands of industrial and agricultural products.
Alongside the new measures for Kosovo, the release contains a series of scheduled, seasonal reductions to the general (MFN) customs duty rates for certain agricultural goods, primarily cereals and vegetables. The update contains no changes to permits, controls, VAT, or excise duties.
Duty rates
New Preferential Rates for Kosovo
Effective from 1 October, new preferential duty rates apply to goods originating in Kosovo. For the vast majority of the affected tariff lines—over 5,700—the rate is now 0 CHF. This zero-duty treatment covers a wide range of goods, with the highest concentration in:
- Chapter 84: Machinery and mechanical appliances
- Chapter 29: Organic chemicals
- Chapter 85: Electrical machinery and equipment
- Chapter 03: Fish and crustaceans
For a smaller set of mostly agricultural and processed food products, specific non-zero preferential rates have been established. These apply within tariff-rate quotas and include, for example:
- CHF 71 per 100 kg gross weight for fresh or frozen veal (e.g., 02012011).
- CHF 42.50 per 100 kg gross weight for certain food preparations and doughs containing meat (e.g., 19012011).
- CHF 15 per 100 kg gross weight for some frozen fruits and poultry cuts (e.g., 08111000).
General (MFN) Rate Reductions
The release also re-issues a number of general duty rates at a lower level for all origins that do not benefit from a more favourable preference. These scheduled reductions, also effective from 1 October, include:
- Cereals (Chapter 10): The duty on 19 tariff lines for cereals intended for animal feed, such as wheat and maize, was lowered from CHF 10 to CHF 9 per 100 kg gross weight. Other cereals for animal feed saw rates fall from CHF 10 to CHF 7 per 100 kg gross weight. Certain types of rice for animal feed (Chapter 10) are now duty-free, with the rate cut from CHF 1 to 0 CHF per 100 kg gross weight.
- Vegetables (Chapter 07): Duties on 17 tariff lines for dried beans and other vegetables for animal feed were cut from CHF 5 to CHF 4 per 100 kg gross weight.
- Milling Products (Chapter 11): Rates for various groats, meal, and pellets for animal feed were reduced, with some falling from CHF 18 to CHF 15 per 100 kg gross weight and others from CHF 17 to CHF 14 per 100 kg gross weight.
When it applies
All customs duty changes detailed in this release took effect from 1 October 2026. The update did not contain any measures announced for a future date.
What to do
Exporters shipping to Switzerland, particularly those with goods originating in Kosovo, should review the affected tariff lines to take advantage of the new preferential rates. For goods subject to the MFN rate changes, such as cereals and vegetables, verify the new duty amounts to ensure accurate customs declarations and cost calculations.