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Container Shipping to Switzerland — Get Instant Quotes
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What do you need a quote for?
Importing/Exporting Commercial Cargo
For business shipping commercial cargo or for freight forwarders.
International Relocations/Movings
For individuals relocating to a new country or for relocation businesses.
Sending Parcels & Couriers
For businesses or individuals looking to ship small parcels or documents by air.
Transparent Pricing
Real-time Shipment Visibility
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Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to Switzerland?
- Rhine-gateway coverage. We secure weekly space at Basel Rhineports (Birsfelden, Kleinhüningen, Auhafen) where waterside container volumes reached a record 121 046 TEU in 2021. CCNR - Observation Du Marché
- Seamless multimodal links. Ocean arrivals at Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg connect to Switzerland by barge and rail within 3–5 days, keeping lead-times predictable even for inland destinations.
- Mode flexibility. Competitive FCL, LCL and Air-freight options—fast uplift via Zürich (ZRH), which handled 436 032 t of cargo in 2024. Wikipedia
- Paperwork made simple. Our platform pre-populates Switzerland’s e-dec/Passar import declaration, invoice and packing-list fields, cutting clearance errors. bazg.admin.ch
- Industry-specific expertise. Specialists in pharma, precision machinery and luxury goods ensure compliant HS coding, temperature-controlled handling and preferential FTA duty savings.
Our Container Shipping Services to Switzerland
Although land-locked, Switzerland is embedded in Europe’s busiest trade corridor. Here’s how each service is tailored:
Full Container Load (FCL)
- Popular mode: Large importers choose FCL for bulk chemicals, machinery and food ingredients moving via Basel Rhine terminals. CCNR - Observation Du Marché
- Main ocean gateways: Rotterdam (NLRTM), Antwerp (BEANR), Hamburg (DEHAM) with barge/rail feed to Basel.
- Indicative transit times:
- Los Angeles → Rotterdam ≈ 16 days, plus 3–5 days inland to Basel.
- Shanghai → Rotterdam ≈ 37 days, plus 3–5 days inland.
- Tips: Book early for mid-winter when low Rhine water levels can restrict barge drafts; consider rail fallback.
Less than Container Load (LCL)
- Weekly consolidations into Basel make LCL cost-effective for loads under 14 CBM—ideal for SMEs importing electronics components or specialty foods.
Air Freight — Fast Alternative
When lead-time trumps cost:
- Air hubs: Zürich (ZRH) and Geneva (GVA). ZRH processed 436 k t of cargo in 2024.
- Speed: 1–3 days from EU origins; 3–5 days from US/Asia including Swiss customs release.
- Use cases: high-value pharmaceuticals, precision watch parts, urgent engineering spares.
Container shipping rates to Switzerland
How much does it cost to ship a container to Switzerland?
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Container to Switzerland?
| Origin Region | Typical FCL Transit Time* | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| West Coast USA (Los Angeles) | ≈ 19–22 days | 16 d LA→RTM + 3–5 d inland barge/rail to Basel |
| East Asia (Shanghai) | ≈ 40–43 days | 37 d SHA→RTM + 3–5 d inland |
| Mediterranean (Valencia) | ≈ 8–10 days | Short ocean hop to Genoa/La Spezia then rail into Basel |
*Port-to-port ocean leg plus average inland transfer to Basel Rhineports.
Popular Routes and Ports for Shipping to Switzerland
- Basel Rhineports (Birsfelden, Kleinhüningen, Auhafen) – Switzerland’s sole container gateway; direct barge links to ARA seaports. CCNR - Observation Du Marché
- Rotterdam & Antwerp – Preferred deep-sea ports for long-haul FCL, offering daily Rhine barge departures.
- Hamburg – Alternative northern hub with frequent block-trains to Basel.
Top trade lanes: Rotterdam ↔ Basel (barge), Antwerp ↔ Basel (rail/barge), Shanghai → Rotterdam, Los Angeles → Rotterdam.
Steps to Book Your Container Shipment with iContainers
- Get an instant quote for FCL, LCL or air.
- Confirm booking and upload commercial docs (invoice, packing list, origin cert).
- Arrange origin pickup or deliver cargo to the designated CFS/terminal.
- Track milestones—ocean departure, inland transfer, Basel arrival.
- Swiss customs clearance & final delivery to door or free-hand warehouse.
What Can You Ship in a Container to Switzerland?
Common Commodities
- Pharmaceuticals & chemicals (Switzerland’s largest import category) Reuters
- Precision machinery & machine tools
- Electronics and medical devices
- Luxury watch components and jewelry
- Packaged foods, beverages and wine
Restricted/Prohibited Goods
- Weapons, counterfeit goods and endangered-species items are prohibited.
- Certain agri-products and radio-frequency devices require prior permits.
- All commercial imports must be declared electronically via e-dec or Passar.
FAQs About Shipping Containers to Switzerland
How do I calculate shipping costs to Switzerland?
Start with container size (20’ or 40’), ocean leg to an ARA port, Rhine/rail inland haulage and Swiss customs/VAT (8.1 % on CIF). iContainers’ quote tool bundles all charges for full cost visibility.
Is FCL or LCL cheaper for Switzerland?
Shipments ≥15 CBM usually favour FCL—ocean rates divided over full capacity plus lower per-unit inland costs. Smaller loads stay economical with weekly LCL consolidations into Basel.
Do I need cargo insurance?
Carriers’ liability is limited (SDR per kg). All-risk marine insurance arranged at checkout protects against loss or damage throughout the multimodal journey.
Which documents are mandatory for Swiss import clearance?
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading (or telex release) and an e-dec/Passar electronic declaration; plus origin certificates for preferential duty or restricted goods.