The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) has rolled out a new version of its QuickZoll smartphone application, the Swiss government confirmed on 2 June. For the first time, users can split a single customs declaration between the standard 8.1 % VAT rate and the reduced 2.6 % rate—mirroring the treatment travellers receive at staffed border counters. Since its launch in 2018 QuickZoll has become a cornerstone of Switzerland’s ‘DaziT’ border-digitisation programme, processing more than 192 000 declarations in 2025 alone. Until now the app applied only one flat rate, forcing returning shoppers carrying mixed baskets—say, electronics and books—to queue at physical checkpoints if they wanted the lower tax on eligible items. The upgrade eliminates that pain-point: passengers arriving by car, train or plane can input values for each VAT band, pay electronically and carry a digital receipt in case of spot inspection.
The change matters for business travellers as well as leisure shoppers.
![QuickZoll App Upgrade Lets Travellers Declare Goods at Both Swiss VAT Rates]()
Travellers who still need help sorting out visa requirements before reaching the customs queue can streamline that step as well: VisaHQ offers an easy online service for securing Swiss visas and other travel documents, walking you through each form and requirement and even providing live support if questions arise. You can check whether you need a visa for Switzerland in minutes or start the application process directly at https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/
Executives bringing training materials, promotional merchandise or technical samples often exceed Switzerland’s CHF 300 personal-use allowance and must settle VAT on arrival. Being able to separate reduced-rate goods (books, medicines, certain foods) from standard-rate items can shave meaningful costs from frequent trips and simplifies expense reconciliation. FOCBS stresses that QuickZoll remains off-limits for live animals, vehicles and commercial freight, which still require traditional clearance. Nonetheless, the app’s growing adoption is viewed as a model for the wider DaziT initiative, which aims to migrate all customs and immigration processes—including goods transit and entry declarations—onto fully digital, self-service channels by 2028. Companies managing assignee household-goods shipments or hand-carried professional equipment should review internal travel guidelines to ensure staff choose the most cost-effective declaration route. With neighbouring EU states moving toward similar smartphone-based customs tools, the Swiss update underlines an emerging trend: authorities expect travellers—not officials—to provide accurate, itemised import data in real time. Mobility managers are advised to brief employees on how to download and correctly use QuickZoll before the peak summer travel season begins.
The change matters for business travellers as well as leisure shoppers.
Travellers who still need help sorting out visa requirements before reaching the customs queue can streamline that step as well: VisaHQ offers an easy online service for securing Swiss visas and other travel documents, walking you through each form and requirement and even providing live support if questions arise. You can check whether you need a visa for Switzerland in minutes or start the application process directly at https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/
Executives bringing training materials, promotional merchandise or technical samples often exceed Switzerland’s CHF 300 personal-use allowance and must settle VAT on arrival. Being able to separate reduced-rate goods (books, medicines, certain foods) from standard-rate items can shave meaningful costs from frequent trips and simplifies expense reconciliation. FOCBS stresses that QuickZoll remains off-limits for live animals, vehicles and commercial freight, which still require traditional clearance. Nonetheless, the app’s growing adoption is viewed as a model for the wider DaziT initiative, which aims to migrate all customs and immigration processes—including goods transit and entry declarations—onto fully digital, self-service channels by 2028. Companies managing assignee household-goods shipments or hand-carried professional equipment should review internal travel guidelines to ensure staff choose the most cost-effective declaration route. With neighbouring EU states moving toward similar smartphone-based customs tools, the Swiss update underlines an emerging trend: authorities expect travellers—not officials—to provide accurate, itemised import data in real time. Mobility managers are advised to brief employees on how to download and correctly use QuickZoll before the peak summer travel season begins.
