Customs formalities

At the moment, there are no restrictions on exports. But an invoice must be shown. A Pro-forma invoice may also be acceptable, showing the value of the work.

• Special surveillance for archaeological objects

Ivory, tortoiseshell, and other objects comprising animal parts.

• Subject to CITES regulations
• Obligation to obtain a permit in the countries of departure and arrival in order to cross borders – Delays to obtain different depending on countries (several weeks)

Transportation of weapons is increasingly complicated.

In the context of an exhibition

• Establishment of an export permit, valid for 2 years, renewable.

An ATA carnet can be used for temporarily importing or exporting goods or equipment used for exhibitions or fairs (stands, tables, models, etc.), samples for presentations, or professional equipment.

This international customs document makes it possible to cross borders in Switzerland and abroad. It is applied for directly from Chambers of Trade & Industry.

Permanent importation into Switzerland involves payment of VAT, taxes, and customs dues according to the declared value of the work. This must include the cost of transport and possibly packing and insurance.

• Establishment of an import permit, valid for 2 years, renewable.
• Since 1st January 2016, a new document is necessary in the event of successive loans to other art galleries / museums.
• Worth knowing: where the temporary import or export involves several works and only some of them return before the totality of them, a partial discharge of the permit may be performed.

Bonded importation is possible in Switzerland. Works arriving in transit will not be cleared through customs and will remain in a free zone. These zones are available at Geneva Airport, and at Freeports. Harsch also has this kind of storage available in its own premises (warehousing under OCW: Open customs warehouse).

It is possible to view the goods, but no movement out of these zones is permitted without customs formalities. The major advantage of this process is storage with an exemption from import dues.