Import-Butler

A complete import solution for the relocation timeline

Import-Butler is based in Winterthur and has handled thousands of vehicle imports from Germany and Benelux to Switzerland since 2012. The service covers the entire path from purchase agreement to Swiss license plate: valuation, currency exchange, transport by truck, customs clearance, CO2 tax optimization, roadworthiness inspection (MFK), and cantonal registration support.

For a relocator buying a car in Germany or the Benelux and moving to Switzerland, coordinating each of these steps independently is time-consuming and error-prone. Import-Butler consolidates them under one project manager who guides the customer through the process, handles paperwork, and coordinates with Swiss authorities.

The four-step process

Import-Butler structures the import as four phases. First, the customer finds and purchases the vehicle directly from the seller abroad. There is no middle step here; the customer owns the vehicle immediately and bears the purchase risk. Import-Butler's role begins after the sale is signed.

Second, the customer uses Import-Butler's online cost calculator to estimate expenses (import taxes, transport costs, MFK inspection), generates a quote, and places the order through the platform. The calculator delivers costs in Swiss francs with no hidden fees, a transparency claim repeated throughout the site.

Third, Import-Butler collects the vehicle by truck from the German or Benelux dealer, registers it for export with the source country's customs authority (which enables VAT reclamation on the purchase price), and arranges import clearance through Swiss customs (BAZG, the Swiss customs agency).

Fourth, once in Switzerland, Import-Butler optimizes the CO2 levy (a tax applied to all vehicle imports, calculated on emissions standards), arranges the MFK roadworthiness inspection, and accompanies the registration with the cantonal road-traffic office until the Swiss license plate is issued.

Pricing and tax treatment

The cost structure for a standard import is: 8.1 percent Swiss VAT plus 4 percent automobile tax, applied to the import value. These are the baseline Swiss duties. However, the VAT paid to the German or Benelux seller on the purchase can be reclaimed after export registration, which significantly reduces the total out-of-pocket cost.

Import-Butler emphasizes transparent, up-front CHF pricing and no surprises. The online calculator generates a binding cost estimate before the customer commits. The customer can see the itemization: customs fees, transport by truck, MFK inspection, registration assistance.

The site does not provide example costs or ranges, so a prospective customer must use the calculator to see numbers. The cost depends on the vehicle's make, model, equipment, year of manufacture, and condition, as these affect valuation and CO2 levy.

The hidden optimization: CO2 levy

One significant service is CO2 levy optimization. Switzerland assesses an import tax based on the vehicle's CO2 emissions rating. The threshold for a higher levy is strict, and the tax can represent a material portion of the import cost depending on the vehicle. Import-Butler states it explores "every option to lower your CO₂ levy and avoid unnecessary costs."

The site mentions that Import-Butler's sister company, CO2 Börse AG, offers a CO2 pooling mechanism for car dealers importing vehicles regularly. Individual relocators moving one vehicle do not typically qualify for this mechanism, but the mention signals deep expertise in CO2 tax strategy.

Vehicle transport and insurance

Import-Butler organizes truck transport from the dealer in Germany or Benelux directly to Switzerland. The customer does not arrange transport privately; the service includes it. Crucially, the vehicle is fully insured throughout the journey, protecting against damage or loss in transit.

This service removes one substantial risk and complexity from the relocation process. A private import involves arranging a transport company, verifying insurance, and managing a multi-day handoff across borders. Import-Butler consolidates these steps.

Customs and VAT reclamation

The customs clearance happens in two stages. First, the vehicle is registered for export in the source country, triggering VAT reclamation eligibility. Second, Swiss customs (BAZG) processes the import clearance, and Swiss VAT and automobile tax apply.

The site emphasizes that foreign VAT paid abroad can be reclaimed, "noticeably reducing your total cost." Import-Butler's role includes filing the reclamation paperwork with the source country's tax authority.

Language and availability

The site is available in German, French, English, and Italian. The business is Swiss-based, so German and French are native; English and Italian support serves international relocators.

Contact is available by phone (+41 52 343 71 60), email, or a web form. The site does not specify response times, but the professional presentation and decades-long establishment suggest prompt replies.

Unique angle: personal moving goods exemption

For qualifying relocators, a vehicle can be classified as "personal moving goods" and imported duty-free if it was personally owned and registered abroad for a period before the relocation. This is a narrow exemption but substantial when it applies: the full 8.1 percent VAT and 4 percent automobile tax are waived.

Import-Butler states this possibility in the FAQ but emphasizes confirming eligibility with the relevant authorities. The exemption depends on cantonal rules and the specific circumstances of the relocation.

What remains unspecified

The site does not publish timelines for the entire process. It mentions that "the exact duration depends on the vehicle and the responsible canton" but gives no ranges (2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks). A relocator cannot predict how long the import will take once ordered.

No detail is given on payment terms or schedule: does the cost come due upfront, or is payment split (deposit, then final payment on delivery)?

The "personal support" and "dedicated contact" are promised but not quantified. How often can a customer expect updates? Is there a single named project manager or a queue of generalists?

Fit for relocators

Import-Butler is strongest for someone buying a vehicle in Germany and needing a smooth, coordinated import during a relocation window. The transparent pricing, all-in-one handling, and professional project management fit the profile of a professional moving to Switzerland on a compressed timeline.

It is less suitable for someone already in Switzerland who purchases a vehicle and has months to import it. The premium for convenience and project management is worth it during a relocation; spread over months, a DIY import is cheaper.

It is also not a fit if the vehicle is outside the EU (e.g., from the UK, US, or beyond), as the site explicitly focuses on Germany and Benelux.

The relocation advantage

A professional relocating to Switzerland with two weeks to set up a new apartment, enroll children in school, and arrange transportation has little bandwidth to coordinate a multi-step vehicle import. Import-Butler compresses that complexity into one online transaction and a series of milestones. The phone number and contact form mean a human is available when questions arise, and the decade of experience means corner-case issues have been seen and handled before.