CLG AG

What CLG AG does

CLG AG is a freight forwarding and customs clearance firm based at Zurich Airport, specializing in handling imports and exports across Swiss borders. The company manages customs documentation for vehicles and goods crossing into Switzerland through multiple border points, offering services directly to transport companies and private customers. For someone relocating to Switzerland with a vehicle purchased abroad, CLG handles the regulatory hurdle that stands between you and the road: the customs clearance that gets your car through the border and into Swiss registration.

The company operates from three main locations: Zurich Airport, Basel-Mulhouse Airport, and Geneva Airport, plus a network of border crossing partnerships. This multi-location structure means you can reach them through whichever airport city is closest to your new home, whether you are settling in the German-speaking, French-speaking, or Italian-speaking regions of the country.

The vehicle import process and what CLG handles

When you import a vehicle into Switzerland, customs clearance is not a suggestion: it is a mandatory step that every imported car must pass through before it can be registered and driven on Swiss roads. CLG's job is to handle the paperwork and coordination with border authorities so you do not have to navigate the process alone. The company explicitly states it has "extensive experience" managing customs clearance for transport companies and their partners, and it also offers these services directly to private customers and other companies importing vehicles.

The firm's process works like this: customs declaration documents are submitted directly from CLG's Zurich Airport head office to the relevant border crossing, and if you have transport arranged, the clearance documents can go directly to your transport company's fax machine. CLG coordinates with partner companies at the border crossing itself if you are not using one of their direct transportation channels. This means the paperwork is flowing through established relationships and known routes rather than you handling it cold for the first time as a newcomer to Switzerland.

The company lists nine specific border crossings where it maintains active relationships and partnerships: Basel/Weil (Autobahn), Basel/St. Louis, Waldshut/Koblenz, Singen/Thayngen, Singen/Ramsen, Kreuzlingen, Konstanz, St. Margrethen, and Schaanwald/Liechtenstein. If you are importing from Germany or anywhere in the EU, one of these crossing points is statistically likely to be where your vehicle will clear.

Services and contact details

The site identifies several service categories beyond vehicle import: international freight forwarding, general customs clearance, customs agency roles, free clearance of company cars, and payment-of-duty handling. For vehicle imports specifically, CLG groups these services under "customs clearance Switzerland" and notes they handle both import and export customs compliance. The company operates across a broader range of transport modes, also offering air freight, sea freight, truck transport, specialized shipments, and on-board courier services. This means CLG is a full-service logistics firm that happens to handle vehicle imports rather than a vehicle-only specialist, which can be helpful if you have other goods entering Switzerland alongside your vehicle.

Language support includes English, German, French, and Italian, which covers the practical arrival needs of most people relocating to German-speaking, French-speaking, and Italian-speaking parts of Switzerland. Contact is available via email (import@clg.ch for vehicle imports specifically, export@clg.ch for exports) and by phone through their 24-hour call service at +41 43 816 79 30. The site also references a 24-hour fax number for document transmission, which is relevant if you need paperwork sent urgently to a border crossing or transport partner outside normal business hours.

The company has been operating and maintaining its web presence for many years and offers a newsletter subscription on its site for those who want to stay updated on customs procedures or service changes.

The locations in detail

CLG operates dedicated offices at three major airport hubs, each with local staff and operations. The Zurich location (CLG AG Zurich-Airport, 8058 Zurich) serves as the company's head office and main clearing center, handling the bulk of customs documentation flows. The Basel location (CLG AG Airport Basel-Mulhouse, 4030 Basel) covers imports through that airport and the northern Swiss border crossings. The Geneva location (CLG AG Aéroport, 1211 Geneva) handles imports in the French-speaking western part of the country. Each location has the same core contact email (import@clg.ch) and the same 24-hour phone line (+41 43 816 79 30), plus a dedicated fax line (+41 43 816 79 39), so you do not need to find different numbers for different locations.

What the site does not explain

CLG's website does not publish pricing for vehicle import customs clearance. This is standard practice among customs brokers, where fees often depend on the vehicle's declared value, the specific border crossing used, the complexity of any tariff classification issues, and whether duties or taxes apply. It means you cannot get a firm quote before reaching out, and the process requires an email or phone call to discuss your specific vehicle and circumstances before CLG can provide a price.

The site also does not detail the timeline: how long customs clearance takes once documents are submitted, how long your vehicle typically sits at a border crossing waiting for clearance to complete, or what your responsibilities are during that waiting period. This information is important for planning your arrival and understanding when you can expect to pick up your vehicle and begin driving in Switzerland.

The company does not explicitly say whether it handles the CO2 levy that applies to newer cars imported into Switzerland (vehicles emitting over a certain threshold). Its payment-of-duty service line suggests broad customs duties are within scope, but you would need to verify whether CO2 levy calculation and payment is included or whether that is a separate process you handle through another firm like CO2 Börse.

There is no information about whether CLG can handle vehicles imported from outside the EU and whether there are additional steps required for non-EU imports. Regional restrictions are not mentioned either: does CLG serve only customers settling near their three office cities, or will they handle imports for vehicles going to any part of Switzerland?

Who CLG is designed for

CLG is the right fit if you are importing a vehicle from the EU, particularly Germany, through one of the nine border crossings it lists, and you want an established firm with multiple offices, 24-hour availability, and established relationships handling your paperwork. The Geneva location is most convenient if you are settling in the French-speaking parts of Switzerland, while the Zurich and Basel locations serve German-speaking regions.

If you are importing from outside the EU or need to understand the full cost of import before committing, you might want to start with a firm like CO2 Börse or Pureprogress that publishes more detailed pricing, service breakdowns, and timelines. CLG is focused on the customs logistics piece rather than vehicle appraisal, CO2 levy calculation, or Swiss registration aspects, though it may handle these through partner relationships.

If you need reliable customs clearance and have a vehicle coming from anywhere in Europe, CLG's scale, multi-location presence, established relationships at major border crossings, and four-language support make it a practical specialist. Getting a quote is a single phone call to their 24-hour line.