Depending on the country of origin, different regulations apply to food brought into Switzerland by travellers. The regulations protect the country from animal diseases and ensure that only safe products can be imported in small quantities.
Regulations on bringing food into the country
Foodstuffs may carry pathogens and contaminants. For this reason, special regulations apply when bringing food into the country.
This information applies to food that you bring with you for personal consumption when travelling. For questions on commercial import, please see Import query.
An animal disease outbreak may mean that you are not allowed to bring food from the affected country. You should therefore find out about the current situation before you travel. Animal products must not originate from areas subject to restrictions or surveillance imposed on animal health grounds.
Stricter rules apply if you are entering from a third country. Some foods of animal origin are prohibited, while others are only allowed in certain quantities. The following rules concern food for personal consumption.
The following are not allowed:
products containing meat, meat products, edible offal (such as organ powders), milk or dairy products (with the exception of the foodstuffs listed below)
animal fats and oils (with the exception of the foodstuffs listed below)
Soup stocks and flavourings packaged for the final consumer.
Bread, cakes, biscuits and other baked goods
Chocolate and confectionery
Pasta
Olives stuffed with fish
Food supplements packaged for the final consumer which contain processed animal products (vitamins, minerals or similar substances with a physiological effect in dose form to be taken in small measured quantities (capsules, tablets, powder sachet etc.).
Other composite foodstuffs where less than half of the foodstuff consists of egg products or fishery products*.
* Fishery products: all edible parts of aquatic animals (including fish oil). Exceptions are live bivalve molluscs, live echinoderms, live tunicates, live marine gastropods, mammals, reptiles and frogs.
Greenland and the Faroe Islands
Animal products (fishery products*) and pet food: maximum 10kg
Fresh, gutted fish and fishery products*: no maximum quantities
Caviar: max. 125 g per person (non-combinable, without a CITES permit)
* Fishery products: all edible parts of aquatic animals (including fish oil). Exceptions are live bivalve molluscs, live echinoderms, live tunicates, live marine gastropods, mammals, reptiles and frogs.
Other third countries
Fresh, gutted fish and fishery products*: maximum 20kg or a whole fish with no weight limit
Caviar: max. 125 g per person (non-combinable, without a CITES permit)
Powdered infant milk, other infant formula and special medical food (shelf-stable, unopened branded products – unless in use): maximum 2kg per person or accompanying animal
Certain plant-based foods that are subject to increased controls: maximum 30kg if intended exclusively for private domestic use
* Fishery products: all edible parts of aquatic animals (including fish oil). Exceptions are live bivalve molluscs, live echinoderms, live tunicates, live marine gastropods, mammals, reptiles and frogs.
For consignments that are sent to private individuals, the same rules apply as for private travel.
Exceptions:
Caviar is subject to both permit and control (CITES documents and a species protection inspection is necessary in all cases, regardless of the quantity)
Powdered infant milk, other infant formula and special medical food (up to 2kg) may only be imported by private travellers.
Consignments must be addressed to private households. Products of non-animal origin must be clearly marked as such. The general permit number must be quoted in the customs declaration. General permit number: 2630/03
