Money and duty free for Switzerland

Currency and Money

Currency information

Swiss Franc (CHF; symbol SFr) = 100 centimes (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, 1, 1/2 and  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. As of 2013, American Express has discontinued traveler's cheque distribution in Switzerland.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0830-1630 in bigger cities. These hours are extended once per week. Mon-Fri 0830-1200 and 1400-1700 in rural areas.

Currency restrictions

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

Currency exchange

There are bureaux de change at train stations, airports, major hotels and banks.

Switzerland duty free

Overview

The following items may be imported into Switzerland by travellers with a minimum age of 17 years without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes/50 cigars/250g tobacco
• 2L up to 15% alcohol volume, 1L over 15% alcohol volume
• 1kg of meat/meat products per person with exception of game, for citizens of the EU (travelling from the EU)
• Goods to a value of CHF300 per person.

Banned Imports

Prohibited or restricted goods include endangered species, narcotics, counterfeit goods, cultural property, medicines, plants, radar warning devices, animals and animal products, and weapons.

Banned Exports

Unlicensed firearms, counterfeit goods, protected animal and plant species, and narcotics. You must declare any cultural property.