Executive Summary

The Federal Customs and Border Security Office (BAZG) has further developed the QuickZoll-App. Travelers can now pay duties on foreign purchases at both applicable VAT rates: 8.1% (standard rate) and 2.6% (reduced rate). The app calculates the total tax automatically. Since 2018, usage has grown continuously: in 2025, the app recorded 192,000 customs declarations and 13 million francs in revenue.

Persons

  • Federal Customs and Border Security Office (BAZG)

Topics

  • Border Traffic Digitalization
  • Value Added Tax
  • Customs Processing
  • E-Government Switzerland

Clarus Lead

The update addresses a practical inefficiency in travel traffic: previous declarations forced travelers to manually separate different tax rates or pay the higher rate across the board. The new function thus reduces compliance burden for border commuters and tourists, while simultaneously increasing tax compliance. The further development aligns with the DaziT digitalization program and underscores the federal government's strategy to make border processing mobile and registration-free.

Detailed Summary

The QuickZoll-App enables travelers to submit customs declarations for private goods without prior registration. Upon entry into Switzerland, duties are levied if value thresholds or free quantities are exceeded. VAT rates vary depending on the product category: the standard rate is 8.1%, the reduced rate 2.6%.

The new function allows the goods value to be entered separately for each tax rate. The app calculates the total tax automatically and complies with the same customs conditions as oral or written declarations at the counter. The original option to enter a flat total value remains available – particularly useful when the proportion of reduced-rate goods is low or time needs to be saved.

Usage growth documents acceptance: in 2018, the app started with 13,000 declarations and 1.1 million francs in revenue. In 2025, it reached 192,000 declarations and 13 million francs – a 15-fold increase in revenue. The further development was planned for 2026 to integrate technical adjustments from the DaziT digitalization program. Users can flexibly select a two-hour time window for border crossing and enter without an additional counter visit – only the app receipt must be retained for inspections.

Exceptions exist for live animals, vehicles, and commercial goods, which can only be declared exclusively at the customs counter.

Key Statements

  • QuickZoll enables separate entry of goods by VAT rate (8.1% and 2.6%) from 2026 onwards
  • Automatic tax calculation reduces manual error rate and compliance burden for travelers
  • App usage has grown 1,400% from 2018 to 2025 (revenue: 1.1 to 13 million CHF)

Critical Questions

  1. Data Quality: How does BAZG validate goods values entered in the app? What control mechanisms prevent underreporting in separate entry by tax rates?

  2. Incentive Structures: Does simplified operation lead to higher compliance, or is there a risk that travelers deliberately declare lower values for higher-taxed categories?

  3. Causality: Is the 15-fold revenue growth (2018–2025) primarily attributable to app adoption or to increased travel volume and higher purchase volumes?

  4. Implementation Risks: What technical error sources could occur in automatic tax calculation, and how are these tested?

  5. Exception Rules: Why cannot commercial goods be declared via the app – is this due to compliance risks or technical limitations?

  6. Registration-Free System: How does the system ensure traceability and auditability in disputes without registration data?

Source Directory

Primary Source: Federal Council: QuickZoll-App Further Developed – news.admin.ch, 02.06.2026

Supplementary Sources:

  1. Article 25 Paragraph 2 VATA
  2. Directive R-69-04 Tax Rates
  3. QuickZoll on Google Play Store
  4. QuickZoll on Apple App Store

Verification Status: ✓ 02.06.2026

This text was created with the assistance of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 02.06.2026