Customs & duty-free allowances at Geneva Airport.
What you can bring into Switzerland duty-free, the limits on alcohol, tobacco and food, the value threshold for VAT, and how the green/red channels and the QuickZoll app work.
Green channel, red channel
After baggage claim you choose a customs exit: green if you have nothing to declare within the allowances, red if you exceed them or carry restricted goods.
Switzerland is not in the EU customs union, so even arriving from a neighbouring country there are limits on what you can import duty- and VAT-free. Most travellers walk straight through the green channel. If you’re over the allowances — or carrying cash of CHF 10,000+ equivalent, weapons, or protected species — use the red channel and declare. The easiest way to check and pre-pay is the official QuickZoll app from Swiss customs (BAZG), which calculates any duty for you.
What’s duty-free per person
Indicative limits for travellers aged 17+. Limits change — always confirm the current figures on the QuickZoll app or bazg.admin.ch before you fly.
| Category | Duty-free allowance (per person) |
|---|---|
| Goods value (VAT-free) | up to ~CHF 150 total; above this, import VAT applies |
| Alcohol ≤ 18% vol | 5 litres |
| Alcohol > 18% vol | 1 litre |
| Cigarettes / cigars | 250 pieces (or 250 g tobacco) |
| Meat & meat products | 1 kg |
| Butter & cream | 1 kg / 1 litre |
| Cash to declare | CHF 10,000+ equivalent |
Alcohol and tobacco allowances apply only to travellers aged 17 and over. The value threshold is per person and not transferable between family members for a single item. If your purchases exceed the limits, you pay import VAT (and possibly duty) — quick and cashless via QuickZoll.
Tax back, duty-free & the French side
Claim VAT back
Leaving Switzerland as a non-resident? Reclaim Swiss VAT on qualifying purchases. See our VAT-refund guide for the Global Blue vs Planet process.
Duty-free shopping
What you can buy airside and the sealed-bag (STEB) rules for connections. See the shops guide.
Using the French sector?
Exiting via the French sector means French (EU) customs and allowances apply instead of Swiss. See the French sector guide.
Security & prohibited items
Customs is separate from security screening — what’s banned in your cabin bag is covered in the security guide.
Geneva Airport customs — FAQ
How much can I bring into Switzerland duty-free?
As a guide, goods up to a total value of around CHF 150 per person are free of import VAT; above that, VAT applies. Separate quantity limits cover alcohol (5 litres up to 18% vol plus 1 litre above), tobacco (250 cigarettes), and meat (1 kg). Limits change, so confirm current figures on the QuickZoll app or bazg.admin.ch before you travel.
Do I have to go through customs at Geneva Airport even from an EU country?
Yes. Switzerland is outside the EU customs union, so import allowances apply even when you arrive from a neighbouring EU country. Most travellers simply walk through the green channel. Use the red channel — or pre-declare on QuickZoll — if you exceed the allowances or carry restricted goods.
What is the QuickZoll app?
QuickZoll is the official app from Swiss customs (BAZG). It lets you declare goods above the duty-free allowances and pay any VAT or duty by card before you reach the customs exit — faster than queuing at the red channel. It’s the simplest way to stay compliant if you’ve over-shopped abroad.
How much alcohol and tobacco can I bring into Switzerland?
For travellers aged 17 and over, the typical allowance is 5 litres of alcohol up to 18% vol plus 1 litre above 18%, and 250 cigarettes (or equivalent tobacco). Exceeding these means paying duty. These figures can change, so verify the current allowance on QuickZoll or bazg.admin.ch before you fly.
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