2.1 Consignment and call-off stock

The simplification for consignment stocks applies to the import of goods. The simplification for consignment stocks provides that the foreign supplier does not need to register for VAT in Switzerland if the import VAT for the goods, which shall be supplied within Switzerland to a consignee, is assessed on the value of the consideration to be paid by the consignee for the goods purchased from the consignor. Under this condition the supply of the goods to the consignee within Switzerland is deemed to take place abroad (see Art. 7 para. 4 VAT Law). The simplification rule can, therefore, only be applied if the consideration to be paid is known at the time of import. In the opposite case, the simplification cannot be applied and the consignor has to register for VAT in Switzerland. The same would apply if at the time of import the customer of the goods is not known as the goods shall be sold after being placed in the stock. In case the preconditions for the simplification are fulfilled, the import VAT due on the value of the goods transferred into the stock can be deducted as input VAT by the consignee.

No time limit applies in relation to the simplification. The preconditions have to be fulfilled prior to the first import.

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