Transit of animals and animal products originating in the EU
If animals and animal products from the EU are transported through Switzerland, clear rules apply. Find out about what veterinary and customs regulations must be complied with and for which species certain transit rules apply.
What is considered a transit originating in the EU?
Transit through Switzerland originating in the EU is defined as transport that originates in and is destined for a member state of the EU.
Other provisions apply for transits originating in third countries:
Transit of animals and animal products originating in a third country
Animal products include all products that are potential carriers of animal diseases. They include animal by-products and germinal products, as well as foods that are (partly) of animal origin, such as cheese and meat.
More information on the regulations for foodstuffs:
No additional veterinary requirements apply to transit. The requirements are the same as those that apply to the import and export of the respective animal or goods category between EU member states and Switzerland.
The transit through Switzerland of animals and animal products from the EU is not subject to controls by the border veterinary service.
Please also note the customs regulations on transit.
More information:
FOCBS: Transit through Switzerland
In any official documents, the actual place of origin and place of destination must be indicated. Border control points in the EU do not count as the point of origin.
For the transit of protected species, the CITES regulations must be complied with.
More information:
Animal transport and transit bans
Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and horses and poultry for slaughter may only be transited through Switzerland by rail or by air. Transit by road is prohibited for animal welfare reasons.
Strict regulations also apply to the transport of animals. As well as the provisions of Swiss legislation, the EU regulations must also be complied with for cross-border transport.
EU animal transport regulation
Individual rules apply for food and for consumer products.