INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS · LONDON TO SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭
We pack, dismantle, load, transport and unpack everything at your new home in Switzerland. Exclusive vehicle, no shared loads. Fixed price includes packing materials, ferry, fuel, insurance, road tolls and customs. Delivery in 3 to 4 days.
Most international removals companies rent you a van and leave you to figure out the rest.
Octagon is different. We handle everything from your London home to your new Swiss address. Switzerland is not in the EU, which means customs procedures differ from EU countries - but we manage the entire process, including the Swiss Form 18.44 and clearance through the Eidgenössische Zollverwaltung (Federal Customs Administration).
One fixed price. One person you can call at any point. No surprises on moving day or at the border.
EVERYTHING INCLUDED
We pack every room, wrap every item, label every box. You do not touch a thing unless you want to.
Taken apart at your London home, rebuilt exactly as it was at your new home.
Every item catalogued and photographed before loading. Full list provided to you and used for customs documentation.
Your belongings travel in our vehicle only. No shared loads, no waiting for a container to fill.
We handle the paperwork and work with our licensed customs agents to clear your goods correctly.
One person manages your move from first call to final delivery. Available throughout the journey.
Packing materials, ferry, fuel, insurance, road tolls and customs agent fees. Nothing added later.
If there is a gap between collection and delivery, your belongings are held in our CCTV-monitored storage facility in London.
CLARITY FROM DAY ONE
CUSTOMS & DOCUMENTS
Switzerland is NOT an EU member state. This means customs procedures are different from EU countries. Your goods must be declared on departure from the UK and cleared through Swiss customs (Eidgenössische Zollverwaltung / BAZG). Switzerland has its own customs forms and residence permit requirements.
Switzerland allows duty-free import of household goods when transferring your domicile, provided you complete Form 18.44 (Zollanmeldung für Übersiedlungsgut). You must be genuinely relocating your main residence to Switzerland, hold a valid Swiss residence permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung B or C), and the goods must have been used by you for at least 6 months. The original signed Form 18.44 must be provided - copies are not accepted.
Clearance time: 1 to 3 working days - Swiss customs is efficient with correct paperwork
If the Form 18.44 is not correctly completed or the residence permit is missing, Swiss customs will charge import duty and VAT (8.1%) on your household goods. The original Form 18.44 must be signed - photocopies or digital copies will be rejected.
Switzerland is strict about the condition of imported goods. New or unused items may be subject to duty even with a valid Form 18.44. All goods must demonstrably have been used in your previous household.
We work with licensed customs agents registered with the Swiss BAZG (Bundesamt für Zoll und Grenzsicherheit). Switzerland requires a T1 transit document for goods entering from non-EU countries. We handle this entire process.
Your Route
London → Dover → Calais → Paris → Dijon → Basel → Zurich
WHAT YOU CANNOT TAKE
Requires Swiss weapons acquisition permit (Waffenerwerbsschein). Cannot be shipped as household goods.
Strictly prohibited. Prescription medication needs Swissmedic-recognised documentation.
Switzerland applies strict import quotas and phytosanitary controls - most fresh food is prohibited.
Require phytosanitary certificate from the Federal Office for Agriculture (BLW).
Seized by the Bundesamt für Zoll und Grenzsicherheit (BAZG).
Dangerous goods - cannot be included in removals shipments.
Do not qualify for duty-free import - Swiss customs duty and 8.1% MWST may apply.
Switzerland has strict alcohol import limits for personal use. Excess requires an alcohol tax declaration.
WHERE WE DELIVER
Canton of Zurich
Switzerland's largest city and financial centre. Home to major banks, insurance companies, and a thriving tech scene. Consistently ranked among the world's most liveable cities.
Canton of Geneva
The centre of international diplomacy. Home to the UN, Red Cross, and WHO. A French-speaking city with a cosmopolitan atmosphere and stunning lakeside setting.
Canton of Basel-Stadt
The pharmaceutical capital of the world. Home to Roche and Novartis. A compact, cultured city at the junction of Switzerland, France, and Germany.
Canton of Bern
The Swiss capital. A UNESCO World Heritage old town, relaxed pace of life, and excellent quality of life. More affordable than Zurich or Geneva.
Canton of Vaud
A beautiful lakeside city and home to the IOC. Popular with academics, the wine-growing Lavaux region is nearby.
Canton of Zug
Known for its extremely favourable tax rates and growing crypto/tech ecosystem. Popular with entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals.
Canton of Ticino
Switzerland's third financial centre after Zurich and Geneva, in the Italian-speaking south. Lakeside setting, Mediterranean lifestyle, and Swiss infrastructure, popular with private banking and wealth management professionals.
LIFE IN SWITZERLAND
Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, but salaries are correspondingly high. Geneva and Zurich are the most expensive cities. Outside these centres, costs reduce somewhat but remain higher than most European countries.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Door-to-door delivery from London to Switzerland typically takes 3–4 days. This includes packing, loading, ferry crossing, transit, customs clearance, delivery and unpacking.
You will need a valid passport, proof of UK residence for 12 months, proof of your new address in Switzerland, a detailed packing inventory, and a non-cession declaration. We guide you through every document.
If you qualify for Transfer of Residence relief, your used household goods can be imported duty-free. You must have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months and the goods must have been used for at least 6 months. We handle the application.
Yes. The price we quote after your survey is fixed. It includes packing materials, ferry, fuel, road tolls, insurance and customs agent fees. Nothing is added on moving day.
No. Your belongings travel in our exclusive vehicle. We do not use shared loads or groupage. Your items are the only items on the truck.
Yes. We are specialist handlers of pianos, antiques, and high-value items. Each piece is wrapped, protected, and handled by experienced movers. We have moved grand pianos, art collections, and fragile antiques across Europe.
Since Brexit, household goods crossing from the UK to Switzerland require customs declarations on both sides. Our licensed customs agent handles the entire process: you do not visit any customs office.
Ideally yes, at both ends. However, you can nominate a trusted representative to be present on your behalf at either the collection or delivery address.
We recommend booking 6 to 8 weeks in advance, especially for summer moves. This allows time for customs documentation, ferry booking, and route planning. We can accommodate shorter timelines when needed.
Yes. If there is a gap between your collection and delivery dates, your belongings are stored in our CCTV-monitored, insured facility in London at no additional charge for reasonable periods.
Call us on 0208 521 8000 for a free quote within 1 hour.