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World Travel Guide > Guides > Europe > Switzerland

Money and duty free for Switzerland

Currency and Money

Currency information

Swiss Franc (CHF; symbol SFr or Fr) = 100 centimes (called centimes in French, Rappen in German and centesimi in Italian). Notes are in denominations of CHF 1,000, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of CHF 5, 2, 1, 0.50 (1/2 Franc), and 20, 10 and 5 centimes.

Credit cards

Credit and debit cards are accepted at most places.

ATM

ATMs are widely available throughout Switzerland.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0830-1630.

Currency restrictions

Switzerland does not impose an upper limit on the amount of money (cash or other forms) that can be brought into or taken out of the country. However, travellers must declare any amount above CHF 10,000 (or equivalent in other currencies) if asked by customs authorities.

Currency exchange

There are bureaux de change at train stations, airports, major hotels and banks.

Switzerland duty free

Overview

The following items may be imported into Switzerland by travellers with a minimum age of 17 years without incurring customs duty:
• 250 cigarettes/250g tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars etc.)
• 5L up to 18% alcohol volume, 1L over 18% alcohol volume
• 1kg of meat/meat products per person with exception of game
• 1kg butter, cream
• 5kg oil, grease, margarine
• Goods to a value of CHF150 per person.

Banned Imports

Prohibited items: illegal drugs, counterfeit goods, protected wildlife and plants, weapons and explosives.

Restricted items: meat and dairy products from non-EU countries (or up to 1kg of meat from an EU country per person), cultural property, medicines (must not exceed 30-day supply for personal use), plants, fruits, and vegetables.

Visitors can submit a customs declaration and pay duties via the Quick Zoll app.

Banned Exports

Cultural property and antiquities, protected wildlife and plants, weapons and ammunition.

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