Switzerland: New goods traffic system for digital processing of customs procedures
Operation of the first version of “Passar” begins 1 June 2023
Digital processing of customs procedures
The Federal Office of Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) on 1 June 2023 will begin operation of the first version of “Passar”—the new goods traffic system for the digital processing of customs procedures in Switzerland. It will be rolled out in phases, starting with transit and exportation.
Digitizing Switzerland's customs procedures
Passar 1.0 is the first version of the FOCBS’s new goods traffic system for the digital processing of customs procedures in Switzerland.
Import and special procedures will be implemented with Passar 2.0 and Passar 3.0. The FOCBS’s goal is to have all processes related to transit, exportation, importation, special customs clearance, and the collection of other levies simplified, harmonized and fully digitalized by the end of 2026.
Transit and export
As of 1 June 2023, Passar 1.0 modernizes the processing of transit and export. The digital modernization is also linked to the Europe-wide update of the transit system.
Initial advantages are for “transit” and “export” procedures that can be linked in Passar with a transport declaration, which contains information on the means of transport for the border crossing. This referencing is the prerequisite for an automated activation of the goods declaration at the border. The recording of a transport declaration is still optional with Passar 1.0, but it is recommended to speed up the border process.
With Passar 1.0, the self-care principle is also introduced, which means that one can manage its own data independently, (i.e., goods and transport declarations can be modified without restrictions prior to the arrival at the border). They only become legally binding when activated at the time of border crossing. A one-time registration in the ePortal beforehand is required, however. Accompanying documents for transit and exportation can be submitted directly in Passar. Assessment decisions by the FOCBS will be available in the ePortal.
In November 2023 the opening of transit declarations in the new computerised transit system (NCTS) will no longer be possible and e-dec Export (the Swiss customs system for “cargo processing”) will be decommissioned in mid-2025 (extended by one year).
Import
Passar 1.0 has no effect on companies that exclusively import goods into Switzerland until 2025. They can continue to use the e-dec Import and e-dec Web applications until mid-2025. The launch of Passar 2.0 is planned for 1 January 2025 and will start with a parallel operation for importation.
For private individuals and tourists, the “QuickZoll” application will continue to be available.
Preparing for Passar 1.0
In the first half of 2023, the existing users of NCTS will be contacted by FOCBS in coordination with their respective software providers to register on the new ePortal. The users of e-dec Export will be contacted in a second step in the second half of 2023.
The ePortal will replace the customs client administration (ZKV). There is no possibility to transfer any data from the old portal.
Timeline
- 1 June 2023: Launch of Passar 1.0 for transit and beginning of the transition phase for export
- 1 January 2025: Launch of Passar 2.0 for import
- 1 July 2025: Export and import only with Passar, e-dec is deactivated.
Read a March 2023 report prepared by the KPMG member firm in Switzerland
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