Switzerland to allow cross-border
Switzerland
to allow cross-border shopping sprees once again
As travel
restrictions within the Schengen zone countries are scheduled to be lifted on
June 15th, shopping trips from Switzerland to neighbouring countries will again
be possible.
Shopping in
the neighbouring nations, where food and other products are cheaper than in
Switzerland, has long been popular among residents who live in border regions.
But from
mid-March, when Switzerland closed its borders with Austria, Italy, France, and
Germany, banning all non-essential travel, this activity was curtailed.
However, as
borders re-open on Monday, shopping abroad can be resumed, the Federal Council
announced on Friday.
“All
restrictions imposed on persons entering Switzerland from the Schengen Area
have been lifted. This includes the ban on importing goods for private use that
have been purchased on a shopping trip abroad”, the government said.
Even when
Switzerland lifted border restrictions with Germany and Austria on May 16th to
allow couples separated on the opposite sides of the border to meet again,
shopping remained prohibited.
The same
rule has applied since Italy opened its border on June 3rd.
Now that
shopping abroad is again permitted, the same regulations will be in place for
cross-border purchases as before the shutdown — that is, if the price exceeds
300 francs, shoppers will have to pay the Value Added Tax (VAT) on their return
to Switzerland.
In its
press release, the Federal Council also reiterated its earlier decision to
reinstate the free movement of persons with EU/EFTA states and the UK as of
June 15th.
Regarding
Great Britain, the Federal Council noted that although “it is not part of the
Schengen area, the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons continues to apply
there until December 31st, 2020”.
It also
said that Bulgaria, Ireland, Croatia, Romania and Cyprus, which don’t belong to
the Schengen zone either, “will remain on the high-risk list, which means that
restrictions will continue to apply to third-country nationals wishing to enter
Switzerland from these countries”.
However,
people with rights of free movement, including citizens of these six countries,
will be allowed to come to Switzerland, the authorities said.
