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Money & duty free for Switzerland

Currency information: 

Swiss Franc (CHF; symbol SFr) = 100 cents (called centimes in French, rappen in German and centesimi in Italian). Notes are in denominations of SFr1,000, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of SFr5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centimes.

Credit cards: 

Credit and debit cards are accepted at most places throughout Switzerland, including American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa.

ATM: 

ATMs are widely available throughout Switzerland, especially in the major cities.

Travellers cheques: 

Pound Sterling, US Dollar or Euro cheques are accepted at airports, railway stations and banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, visitors are advised to take traveller's cheques in Pounds Sterling, Euros or US Dollars.

Banking hours: 

Mon-Fri 0830-1630.

Currency restriction: 

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency.

Currency exchange: 

There are bureaux de change at train stations and banks.

Switzerland duty free

The following items may be imported into Switzerland by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty by:

(a) Visitors from European countries:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 2L of alcohol (up to 15%) and 1L of alcohol (over 15%).
• Gifts up to a value of CHF300.

(b) Visitors from non-European countries:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 2L of alcohol (up to 15%) and 1L of alcohol (over 15%).
• Gifts up to a value of CHF300.

Banned imports: 

Absinthe and narcotics are prohibited. There are strict regulations on importing animals, meat products and firearms.

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