TLI Translog

TLI Translog is a freight forwarder and logistics company based in Switzerland that specializes in car import and export across Swiss borders and throughout Europe. The firm handles vehicle transport, customs clearance, and the administrative layers that arriving residents must navigate when importing a car from abroad. Founded in 2004, TLI operates seven locations across Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands, making it a practical choice for someone importing a vehicle from neighboring EU countries or coordinating multi-leg transport from farther afield.

Core services for car import

The site lists "car import and export with customs expertise" as a primary service alongside broader freight logistics. For arrivals, the car import path is central: TLI handles the freight logistics (moving the vehicle safely across borders) and customs clearance (the regulatory formalities that permit the car to enter Switzerland legally). The firm describes itself as offering "all round Europe transports in an on time and reliable manner," using its Europe-wide transport network and real-time GPS shipment tracking.

The import process

TLI's customs service is described as taking "over the entire customs service with a lot of experience and competence from the very first steps to customs clearance." For car import specifically, the firm coordinates documentation review, border crossing at authorized customs stations, and tax settlement on entry into Switzerland. The site emphasizes that customs work "in the international movement of goods" is handled with "experience and competence," but does not detail the specific steps, timelines, or fees involved in a typical car import transaction.

Logistics and transport options

The firm operates "24500 daily driven KM, 522 daily transported metric tons, 55 daily vehicles in use" across its fleet, indicating substantial scale and capacity. For car transport specifically, TLI offers overland transport (truck delivery), air freight (for rapid intercontinental moves), and sea freight (for volume shipments). The site notes that the firm handles "full load, partial load, general cargo or special transport" and offers "express and special trips" for short-notice moves, which appeals to arriving residents on tight relocation timelines.

Locations and multilingual support

TLI maintains seven locations in Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. The Switzerland-based logistics network means a car arriving from Germany or Austria can be cleared at a convenient border point and delivered to anywhere in Switzerland. The site lists German, French, English, and Italian language options, which is useful for arriving residents from Italy, France, or English-speaking countries who may need customs assistance in a language other than German.

What the site does not specify

TLI publishes no standard costs for car import, no typical customs fees, no turnaround timelines, and no per-kilometer or per-vehicle pricing. A person arriving with a vehicle will need to contact the firm for a quote. The site does not clarify whether TLI's customs service includes border-station liaison, tax calculation and payment, or full end-to-end registration assistance at the cantonal vehicle office. While the firm clearly handles the freight and customs piece, the extent of support beyond those two tasks is unstated.

Scale and track record

TLI has operated since April 2004, positioning it as an established firm with more than two decades of experience in freight and logistics. The site claims to employ "an interdisciplinary team of experienced and reliable experts" and cites certifications under ISO 9001:2015 (quality management) and ISO 14001:2015 (environmental management). The scale metrics (24,500 km daily, 522 tons daily, 55 vehicles daily in active use) suggest a firm that moves enough volume to absorb irregular import jobs alongside its regular freight work. The daily metrics indicate consistent, ongoing operations rather than a project-based firm. Customer testimonials are absent from the site content, so arriving residents lack peer perspective on import-specific satisfaction. However, the combination of established operations, certifications, and consistent daily volume suggests professional competence.

Partner relationships and integration

The site notes "system partnership with sim cargo GmbH, D-Homberg / Efze," indicating that TLI has developed formal partnerships with other logistics providers in Germany. This partnership model suggests integration into a broader network, which can be valuable for arrivals importing from Germany or central Europe. TLI's seven-location network across three countries (Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands) means that a vehicle can be picked up at a German origin, transported through TLI's network, cleared at a Swiss border point, and delivered within Switzerland without changing logistics partners. This end-to-end continuity reduces coordination work for arriving residents managing the move.

Who it suits and does not

TLI works well for someone importing a car from Germany, Austria, Italy, or France and needing coordinated freight plus customs clearance. The seven-location network across Switzerland means convenient collection and delivery points. The firm's multilingual staff (German, French, English, Italian) remove language barriers for arriving residents from many backgrounds, and the more-than-two-decade track record and ISO certifications signal stability and competence. The 522 tons of daily freight volume indicates that TLI moves enough tonnage to absorb small vehicle imports as routine items alongside its regular trucking work, so arriving residents will not be treated as a one-off unusual request.

For someone importing from non-EU countries (US, Canada, Middle East), TLI may handle the ocean or air freight leg but the Swiss customs piece may be less routine for the firm, so the firm might refer to a specialist customs agency or partner with one for the Swiss border step. For someone importing a luxury, sports, or non-standard vehicle requiring homologation or technical certification, TLI's role is freight and customs only, not the technical specialists that firms like Supercar Sharing provide. The site description does not mention homologation support, technical inspection liaison, or cantonal registration assistance beyond customs, so TLI appears to be the logistics and border-clearance layer rather than a full-service import agency. For that reason, arriving residents should ask explicitly whether TLI can recommend partners for the homologation or cantonal registration steps, or whether the arrival resident must coordinate those separately.

How to engage

The firm lists a phone number and email (info@tli-translog.ch) on the site. Arriving residents should contact TLI with vehicle details (origin, destination canton, type and value of vehicle) and receive a freight and customs quote. For a complex import (luxury vehicle, non-EU origin, ownership transfer during relocation), it is worth asking explicitly whether TLI coordinates with technical specialists and cantonal registration services or whether the arrival resident must handle those steps separately.