Calculate Swiss import costs for wine, sake and spirits
Shipping from Germany · Switzerland
What additional costs should you expect when ordering from abroad? Estimate Swiss import VAT, alcohol tax and DHL clearance fees for your drinks here.
For one shipment with DHL Weltpaket Economy. Charges are billed separately on import; no cart or customer data is imported into this calculator.
Ordering wine for delivery to Switzerland
Grape wine produced solely by fermentation, with no added distilled alcohol and up to 18% ABV, is not subject to spirits tax. This also applies to sparkling wine and Champagne meeting these conditions. Import VAT, possible customs duties and clearance fees may still apply. Such wine above 18% and up to 22% ABV is subject to a reduced alcohol tax rate.
Sake and rice wine: alcohol strength matters
Sake produced solely by fermentation, without added distilled alcohol and up to 15% ABV, is not subject to spirits tax. Above 15% and up to 22% ABV, the rate is CHF 14.50 per litre of pure alcohol. Sake with added alcohol requires separate classification; this calculator does not provide a standard estimate for it.
Whisky, gin, rum and other spirits
Spirits such as whisky, gin, rum, vodka, tequila and shochu are generally taxed at CHF 29 per litre of pure alcohol. Bottle volume and alcohol strength determine the tax. Liqueurs are covered where the standard rate applies; sweet ready-to-drink alcopops and special cases are excluded.
Fortified wine, port and sherry
Drinks classified as fortified wines or wine specialities up to 22% ABV generally qualify for the reduced rate of CHF 14.50 per litre of pure alcohol. The actual tax classification remains decisive.
Beer: original extract rather than alcohol strength
For ordinary beer up to 15% ABV without added alcohol, beer tax depends on degrees Plato: CHF 16.88 per hectolitre up to 10 °P, CHF 25.32 above 10 and up to 14 °P, and CHF 33.76 above 14 °P. The calculator therefore also needs the original extract in degrees Plato. Alcohol-free beer, mixed drinks and special cases are not covered.
What fees does DHL charge?
The DHL FAQ lists a CHF 13 basic fee plus a 3% surcharge and a CHF 100 cap for Weltpaket Economy. As the FAQ and detailed tariff description differ in how precisely they describe the surcharge basis and cap, this calculator shows a range where the results differ. This is an estimate for one shipment, not a binding customs assessment.
Good to know
Import VAT on alcoholic drinks is 8.1%. The taxable amount includes the goods value as well as shipping, import duties and clearance costs, among other charges. In this model, import VAT below CHF 5 is not charged. Multiple parcels, special clearance services and other shipping products may result in additional costs.
This calculator is for orders delivered by parcel. Traveller allowances for goods brought into Switzerland in person do not apply. These charges are not automatically collected at checkout.
Sources and calculation date
Checked on 27 October 2026. FOCBS: import VAT and taxable amount · FOCBS: alcohol tax rates · FOCBS: beer tax · DHL: Weltpaket ECO. Alcohol quantities rounded according to FOCBS R-120-2. Tariffs and exchange rates are not retrieved live.