Geely's three-car Swiss entry: own customs file

Switzerland is not in the EU customs union, and that will decide how a Chinese car reaches Zurich: its own border file, its own registration. Geely launched three models there at once — the electric SUV E5, the crossover E2 and the plug-in hybrid STARRAY EM-i. That mix matters more than the venue.

The three cars cover three jobs. The compact E5 handles city driving, the smaller E2 sits in a lower price band, and the STARRAY EM-i takes the long runs into Italy or France and the winter passes in the Alps. Switzerland is mountainous, so all-wheel drive and cold-weather range stay permanent buying criteria.

Work the Swiss landed cost. Duty runs about CHF 12 to 15 per 100 kg, but the weight is the 4% automobile tax and the 8.1% import VAT, on a base that already includes the tax. A compact electric SUV landed at EUR 20,000 carries about EUR 800 in tax and EUR 1,685 in VAT, some EUR 2,485 together, over 12% of the car.

Approval is separate: without a recognised approval the car needs individual approval at CHF 1,000 to 5,000 and four to eight weeks, plus a CHF 20 certificate. Electrics avoid the CO2 penalty, hybrids pay on emissions. An EU quotation cannot be reused, and selling electric with hybrid splits the inventory bet.

Ask your supplier for three things: whether the model holds a recognised Swiss approval, a landed quotation on FOB plus freight, and the origin documents. Then check the arithmetic yourself, landed value plus 4% automobile tax, multiplied by 8.1% VAT.