If you plan to do your shopping in neighboring France, you will need to watch your receipts. The excess beyond which Swiss VAT must be paid has been lowered to 1is January. You will now have to declare your purchases from 150 francs, compared to 300 francs previously.
How do Neuchâtel residents who cross the border to do their shopping react? Laurent, a young father from Chaux-de-Fonnier, believes that, even if lowered, the franchise of 150 francs per person will be difficult to achieve for food purchases.
Watch out for returning from vacation
The Federal Office of Customs and Border Security does not plan to strengthen its controls on the ground. However, he calls for the responsibility of consumers to comply with the new standards. It should also be noted that the quantity allowances applied to certain specific products (meat, fish, alcohol, oil, butter and cream) remain unchanged, according to Donatella Del Vecchio, spokesperson for the Federal Customs and Security Office borders.
Gifts, clothing and souvenirs purchased during holidays or shopping weekends abroad are also subject to the lowered franchise. Goods which, taken alone, exceed the amount of the excess must also be declared, even if several people are in the vehicle.
In order to declare your purchases, the Federal Customs Office recommends using its QuickZoll application. However, you will have to stop at a customs post to benefit from the VAT reduced to 2.6% on food products. The application only offers the normal rate of 8.1% until 2026.
Contacted, several traders from Morteau and Pontarlier are confident. They believe that this new VAT exemption will not significantly disrupt the use of their brands by Swiss consumers. According to Emmanuel Vagneux, manager of the Chais du Val cellars in Morteau, “people already often come in pairs”. On the other hand, he fears that this new legislation will increase cases of fraud. More information on this VAT exemption here. /jti-sbm
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