Austrian companies selling to Switzerland: customs, Swiss VAT and getting paid in francs

A Vorarlberg metalworking company delivers to customers in St. Gallen, a 40-minute drive. Every delivery crosses a customs border. Switzerland is outside the EU's customs union and VAT area, so the trip that looks like a domestic one comes with export papers, Swiss import VAT, and a buyer who would rather pay in francs.

Customs on both sides

Each shipment needs an EU export declaration and a Swiss import declaration. Most companies use a freight forwarder or customs agent who files both. Keep the export confirmation: it is your evidence for treating the sale as a zero-rated export in your Austrian VAT return.

Since 1 January 2024, Switzerland has abolished import duties on industrial goods. Metal parts, machinery and most manufactured goods now enter duty-free. Agricultural products still carry duties, sometimes high ones.

Swiss VAT

Swiss import VAT is charged on most goods at the border, normally paid by the importer, which on most B2B terms is your Swiss customer.

Some Austrian sellers have to register for Swiss VAT themselves. The general test is that a foreign company supplying goods or services in Switzerland with worldwide turnover of at least CHF 100,000 becomes liable. In practice this catches companies that deliver and install goods on site, supply goods already in Switzerland, or send many low-value parcels to consumers. Check with the Swiss Federal Tax Administration before your first such contract.

Services to Swiss businesses are usually outside Austrian VAT, and the invoice says so.

Getting paid in francs

Larger Swiss companies may accept euro invoices. Many smaller ones prefer francs, and a franc price can help you win the order.

If francs land in a euro account, the bank converts on arrival at its own rate. A franc balance lets the payment arrive as invoiced. You then pay Swiss costs, such as a forwarding agent, Swiss staff or trade fair fees, in francs, and convert the rest when it suits you.

Paying into Austria: the local rail

Source: European Payments Council: SEPA Instant Credit Transfer. Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.

Where Rivet fits

A Rivet business account gives an Austrian company euro details with an IBAN from the Growth plan and US dollar details on every plan. On the Scale plan it holds balances in 30 currencies, including Swiss francs, which can be converted at a rate shown before you confirm or used to pay suppliers in 120+ countries. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds, and local details in francs depend on availability.