The customs laws in Switzerland is undergoing a serious overhaul. The legislative amendment, approved by the National Council, could have significant implications for parcel delivery in Switzerland. Critics anticipate that it’s going to develop into slower, more complicated, and dearer.
The brand new law, dubbed a ‘monster’ by some Swiss politicians, states that importers and exporters can resolve themselves who’s answerable for customs clearance of parcels. They’ll either handle the clearance themselves or delegate it to consumers.
Additional work
Within the latter case, internet buyers would wish to offer additional documents to receive a package from, for instance, market leader Zalando, resembling a tracking number, customs reference, shipment weight, contents information, and a duplicate of the invoice. Delivery corporations can even must perform additional tasks regarding sorting and storing parcels, inevitably resulting in significant delays. Based on the brand new law, they aren’t allowed to pass on the extra costs to the shopper.
Concerns
Opponents of the legislative amendment, including Swiss Post and various politicians, fear that parcel delays in Swiss ecommerce could extend to several days. Additionally they argue that the brand new customs rules won’t reduce bureaucracy, as intended, but moderately increase it. Meanwhile, freight forwarders and other logistics corporations are concerned concerning the practical feasibility of the legislative amendment, fearing additional administrative burdens and duplicated work.
Logistics corporations fear extra burdens and double work.
Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter warns of the results of implementing the brand new customs law: “The flow of products could come to a halt because parcels would must be temporarily stored until it is evident who will declare the products.”
Ständerat
With the change of law being passed by a big majority within the National Council, critics at the moment are pinning their hopes on the Ständerat, the opposite chamber of the Swiss federal parliament. It could reconsider the difficulty before the law change is definitively enacted.
