Removals UK to Switzerland
Move It Removals runs removals UK to Switzerland from our base in Essex, moving households from Southend and across the county to Geneva, Zurich, Basel, Bern, Lausanne and beyond. It is a long road move with a proper customs step, and one team plans the route, packs your belongings and sees them through to your Swiss address.
UK to Switzerland removals, handled properly
Switzerland is one of the longer European routes and the one with the most paperwork, because it sits outside the EU. That is exactly why it pays to use a mover who runs the whole job rather than passing your belongings between hauliers.
We have handled European moves since 2003, and one team looks after the Essex collection, the drive across the Continent and the delivery in Switzerland. We manage the UK end through our house removals team, and you can see the wider scope of our European work on the European removals page.
How removals UK to Switzerland work
A Swiss move runs to a clear sequence, from the first look round to unloading in Switzerland.
Planning your move to Switzerland: route, customs and timings
Switzerland is landlocked and outside the EU, so this is a long road haul with a real customs step, not a quick hop across the water. We cross the Channel from Kent by ferry or the Eurotunnel, then drive south through France to your Swiss city, whether that is Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, Basel, Zurich, Zug or Lucerne.
A few things shape the plan for your move:
- Timing: it is a long drive, usually a day or two on the road after the crossing, and we schedule around your dates and the border clearance.
- Access at both ends: older Swiss apartment blocks, lift access and tight town centres are worth flagging early, along with the arrangements at your Essex property.
- Swiss customs: because Switzerland is not in the EU, your belongings are formally imported and cleared at the border. Most people moving their main home can bring used household effects in free of Swiss duty and VAT under the removal-goods relief, provided you are transferring your residence to Switzerland and hold a residence permit, and the items have been in use for at least six months. It is declared to Swiss customs with an inventory, which we prepare.
- The road side: taking a removals lorry into Switzerland involves the usual Swiss road and vehicle requirements, which we take care of as part of the job.
Packing and protection for a long-distance move
Switzerland is a long way by road, so your belongings are packed to travel well over distance rather than just across town. Our trained, uniformed team wraps and boxes everything to export standard, with materials and boxes included and extra protection for anything fragile or valuable.
It all goes onto a detailed inventory, which doubles as the packing list Swiss customs will want to see. Every move is fully insured up to £100,000.
Storage if your dates
do not line up
Swiss rental and purchase dates rarely line up neatly with your UK move, and a long route leaves less room to improvise. If there is a gap, we can hold your belongings at our own secure Essex facility and send them on to Switzerland once you are ready to receive them.
See our storage service for how it works, or ask us to build it into your quote.
Why move to Switzerland
with Move It
A move this far is a lot to trust to a stranger, so it helps that Move It stays one accountable company from your Essex door to your Swiss one. We began with a single van in Southend in 2003 and built up, on referrals and repeat customers, into a full team with our own storage and larger vehicles.
We are members of the British Association of Removers, we work to the Trading Standards approved BAR Code of Practice, every move is insured up to £100,000, and there are no waiting-time charges.
Related European routes
Moving somewhere else in Europe? We also cover:
For destinations beyond Europe, see our overseas and international removals.
Removals UK to Switzerland: your questions answered
What affects the cost of a move to Switzerland?
Mainly the volume you are shipping, how far into Switzerland you are going, access at both properties, whether you want packing, and whether you need storage. It is a long route, so distance matters more than on a short crossing. We quote after a survey, with no waiting-time charges.
How long does a move from the UK to Switzerland take?
It is a long road move: the Channel crossing followed by a day or two driving down through France, plus clearing customs at the Swiss border. We give you a realistic schedule after the survey rather than a blanket figure.
Is Switzerland in the EU, and does that change the customs?
No, Switzerland is outside the EU, so your belongings are formally imported and cleared at the Swiss border rather than moving freely as they would within the EU. Most main-home moves still come in free of Swiss duty and VAT under the removal-goods relief.
Do I need a residence permit to bring my belongings duty-free?
Generally yes. The Swiss removal-goods relief is for people transferring their residence to Switzerland, so you normally need your residence permit or registration. We prepare the customs application and inventory for you.
Do you pack for moves to Switzerland, and are materials included?
Yes. We pack to export standard with materials and boxes included, or you can pack yourself. Fragile and valuable items get extra protection for the distance.
Can you store my belongings if my dates do not match?
Yes. We can hold your belongings at our own Essex facility and deliver to Switzerland once your new home is ready.
Are my belongings insured on the way to Switzerland?
Yes. Your move is insured up to £100,000, and we talk you through exactly what the cover includes for this route before you book.
Get a removals UK to Switzerland quote
Planning a move to Switzerland? Call the team on 01702 277420 or fill in the quote form and we will come back with a clear plan and pricing for the route. Prefer to show us what is moving? Book a survey and we will take it from there.
