Executive Summary

The Federal Customs and Border Security Office (BAZG) is now introducing its digital goods traffic system Passar for imports into Switzerland. Following successful pilot runs in April and May 2026, the first two expansion phases for standard imports are to be released. The old system e-dec Import will be completely replaced by the end of 2027; final registrations in the legacy system are still possible until 30 September 2027. BAZG and business representatives have agreed on a binding timeline and a transition phase with parallel operations.

Persons

Topics

  • Customs procedure digitalization
  • Goods traffic systems
  • Border clearance
  • E-Government
  • Business digitalization

Clarus Lead

The expansion of Passar to imports marks a critical turning point in Swiss customs modernization: it compresses the replacement deadline for a 20+ year old system to 16 months and obligates the entire import economy to switch systems. The parallel rollout strategy (four expansion phases through 2027) reduces adoption risks, but creates a tight compliance deadline for SMEs and logistics partners. Simultaneously, Switzerland is integrating its customs digitalization into a broader ecosystem of Certificat, Declar, and Activ—an approach intended to reduce border clearances to a control-case basis in the future.

Detailed Summary

Passar is BAZG's central digitalization program for the fully electronic processing of customs procedures and gradually replaces legacy freight applications. Already operational in the transit and export sectors, the system is now being expanded to imports. Implementation follows a four-phase expansion plan: the first two phases (operational following the pilot phase in April/May 2026) cover standard imports. The third phase, currently in development, integrates more complex procedures involving permits and regulatory requirements in cooperation with other federal agencies. The fourth phase (Passar 3.0) digitalizes special procedures, paper-based forms, and eliminates remaining counter visits.

The transition is structured as parallel operations: until 30 September 2027, import customs declarations can still be entered in the old e-dec Import system; thereafter, Passar is mandatory. This window gives companies 16 months for system integration. Additionally, complementary digital solutions are being rolled out: Certificat (available since April 2026) enables digital certificates of origin for exports, initially for PEM countries (Pan-Euro-Med zone), with planned expansion to additional free trade agreements. Declar (from July 2026) allows SMEs and transporters to create Digital Transport Slips (DTS) without commercial software and upload them via the Activ app. The target model: goods shipments pass the border without stopping, unless an inspection is required.

Key Messages

  • Passar import launches after successful pilot runs; complete replacement of e-dec Import by 30 September 2027
  • Four-phase rollout with parallel system operation reduces adoption risks but sets tight compliance deadline
  • Integrated ecosystem (Passar, Certificat, Declar, Activ) to enable paperless, control-based border clearance

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence: What error rates and system downtime were measured in the April/May pilot runs, and how are these data used to approve expansion phases 1–2?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: How is it ensured that SMEs without commercial customs software (Declar users) are not disadvantaged if large enterprises with integrated systems are cleared faster?

  3. Causality: Is the 16-month deadline (until 30 September 2027) technically or politically justified, and what delay risks in expansion phases 3–4 could force an extension?

  4. Feasibility: How will companies with legacy processes be supported during the transition phase in case of system failures or data inconsistencies between Passar and e-dec Import?

  5. Data Quality: What validation mechanisms prevent data migration errors from e-dec Import to Passar or compliance gaps?

  6. Regulatory Alternatives: Why is the deadline not made flexible for economic sectors with particularly complex customs procedures (e.g., pharmaceuticals, dual-use goods)?

Source Directory

Primary Source: Federal Customs and Border Security Office (BAZG) – Notice on Passar Import Implementation, 22.06.2026 https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/jtkxbzQa1wQyRzU0_WSxq

Verification Status: ✓ 22.06.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 22.06.2026