Start a Transporting and Storage Company in Switzerland

Updated on Wednesday 22nd March 2023

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What is the current situation of the transport sector in Switzerland?

Switzerland benefits from a very well developed transportation system. The country has a road network of more than 71,000 km and more than 5,000 km of train tracks. It also benefits from three international airports, situated in the cities of Zurich, Geneva and Basel. It is also important to know that Switzerland has the highest railway station in Europe, situated in the canton of Basel.

Businessmen who want to open a company in Switzerland operating transportation and storage activities are required to register the company’s vehicles in this country, as requested under the local legislation. In the situation in which the company’s vehicles will perform import-export of goods, special requirements will need to be met and our team of lawyers in Switzerland may provide in-depth assistance regarding this matter.

What are the main requirements for transporting goods from/in Switzerland?

When performing import-export activities of goods from/in Switzerland, the company is required to comply with a set of requirements. Crossing the Swiss border with commercial goods should meet the standards presented below, regardless if the activity is conducted by a Swiss company or by a foreign one:

• provide a valid personal travel document, which can refer to an ID card, a passport or a visa;
• the company is required to declare the types of goods it transports from/in Switzerland;
• the transport has to go through customs control, through which the goods will be inspected;
• the company will be responsible for paying the heavy vehicle charge, which depends on the vehicle’s total weight and emissions level.

Get in touch with our law firm in Switzerland if you intend to establish yourself and start a business. We can assist with the documentation preparation and filing. It's important to keep in mind that the company must be registered in the canton where it will be located. Whenever you require assistance, please get in touch.

What is the main rule of law for the storage of food products?

Food products in Switzerland have to adhere to a set of regulations regarding hygiene and, in this sense, the main regulation is given by the Hazard Analyses and Critical Control Points (HACCP). This is applicable from preparation and processing, to storage, transport and distribution of food products. It is also important to know that food products processed in Switzerland have to comply with the national legislation prior to being exported to other countries and our team of Swiss lawyers can provide further information.

Businessmen are invited to contact our law firm in Switzerland for in-depth assistance concerning the registration procedure available for this sector. Our attorneys may assist with legal advice on how to obtain special permits imposed in this case.

The procedure to open a Swiss bank account can take several weeks, depending on various factors. Among them, the type of account chosen, your country of origin, how soon you can prepare the necessary documents, and not ultimately the chosen bank. If you need assistance in this matter, please contact our lawyers.