Customs clearance of parcels sent by post applying to the international organisations and to their members of personnel

The Swiss legislation in customs matters was completely revised in 2007. Postal traffic has now been re-organised. As a consequence, several customs-post offices have been closed, including two in Geneva (Montbrillant and Geneva Airport).

The procedure for the customs clearance of parcels sent by post has had to be adapted to the new legislative requirements and is, from January 1st 2008, carried out as follows :

Parcels addressed to international organisations and to members of their staff who enjoy diplomatic status will continue to be delivered free of customs duties (exemption from payment of fees) by the post office or any other approved distributor to the addressee's residence :

• parcels whose value is less than CHF 1,000.-- will be directly exempted from customs duties and will be delivered without formalities to the addressee's residence;
• parcels whose value exceeds CHF 1,000.-- will be delivered free of customs on presentation of a demand for exemption using form 14.60 duly signed by the addressee and stamped by the organisation. The post office or the approved distributor will inform the addressee, i.e. the international organisation or the international official, of the arrival of the parcel and will send him/her form 14.60. Once this has been duly filled in and returned to the distributor, the parcel will be delivered free of customs duties to the addressee.