Basic information
Outline of the system
The main purpose of the entry regulations is to prevent illegal traffic in weapons, integral parts of weapons, etc. The competent authority for the issue of authorizations is the Central Office for Arms, attached to the Federal Office of Police (Federal Department of Justice and Police (Additional information is available at: http://www.fedpol.admin.ch/fedpol/fr/home/themen/sicherheit/waffen.html (in French, German and Italian only)).
Product coverage
All objects which are considered weapons, integral parts of weapons, specially designed parts of weapons or accessories to weapons, ammunition and parts of ammunition in accordance with Articles 1 to 8 of the Weapons Ordinance are subject to this authorization regime (OArm, RS 514.541, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified compilation/20081148/index.html). These objects are classified under the following Swiss customs tariff numbers (HS 2017)(Coverage is not defined in terms of customs tariff numbers in the relevant legal texts. The list of customs tariff numbers is therefore not exhaustive): See Products.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
No restrictions on quantity or value. The main purpose of the entry regulations is to prevent illegal traffic in weapons, integral parts of weapons, etc.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable (no quantitative restrictions).
The system applies to products originating from which country?
These provisions apply irrespective of the country such goods come from.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The Federal Law on Weapons, Accessories and Ammunition (Weapons Act, RS 514.54, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified compilation/19983208/index.html) and the Ordinance on weapons, accessories and ammunition (Weapons Ordinance, OArm, RS 514.541, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified compilation/20081148/index.html) stipulate which objects are subject to authorization, which annexes must be submitted with the application for authorization to enter weapons and which tasks the administration must undertake.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
The Weapons Ordinance may be amended by the Executive, but only in the framework of the Weapons Act. Articles 25(3) and 25(a)(3) of the Weapons Act state that the Executive may provide for derogations to the authorization regime in respect of certain objects and certain categories of person. To this end, the Executive introduced new rules under Article 40(3) of the OArm for hunters and sports shooters and under Article 42 of the OArm for different categories of person.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
In principle, all persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for an import licence.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Applicants for a licence to import weapons, etc. for non-professional purposes are required to complete an official form and to file it, together with the following documents, with the Central Office for Arms (Articles 39 OArm):
(a) a copy of the authorization issued by the competent cantonal authority if the object to be introduced into Swiss territory is subject to the authorization regime;
(b) an extract from the Swiss register of convictions issued not more than three months prior to the filing of the application;
(c) a copy of a valid passport or identity card;
(d) an official certificate from their State of domicile or their country of origin authorizing them to purchase a weapon in the case of persons domiciled abroad or persons not in possession of a residence permit.
Applicants for a licence to enter prohibited weapons under Article 5(1) of the LArm and Article 35(1) of the OArm for non professional purposes are required to complete an official form and file it with the Central Office for Arms. The following documents must be attached:
(a) a special cantonal authorization under Article 5(4) of the LArm;
(b) a copy of a valid passport or identity card.
In order to obtain a licence to enter prohibited weapons, etc. for professional purposes (Article 5(1) LArm and Article 34 OArm), the relevant form must be submitted to the Central Office for Arms (OCA), accompanied by the following documents:
(a) a copy of the weapons trading licence;
(b) a special cantonal authorization, in accordance with Article 5(4) of the LArm;
(c) an attestation that the objects are necessary to cover the needs of the Army, the military authorities or the customs and police authorities or those of security firms, and that the persons making the order have a special authorization for those objects.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Licence applications must be submitted before entry.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
The general authorization for weapons for professional purposes, whereby an unlimited number of weapons may be introduced, is valid for a period of 12 months (Article 38(3) OArm). Licences for the entry for non professional purposes of prohibited weapons subject to authorization or subject to declaration are valid for a period of six months, extendable by no more than three months (Article 39(2) OArm).
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
They may be granted immediately if the conditions so warrant.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Pursuant to Article 24(3) and Article 25(2) of the Weapons Act, the Central Office for Arms issues authorizations for the entry for commercial purposes of integral parts of weapons, specially designed parts of weapons, ammunition and parts of ammunition.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
No further restrictions.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Yes
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
The licensing fees are:
CHF 50 for entry for professional purposes under a single authorization (Annex I(k) OArm);
CHF 150 for entry for professional purposes under a general authorization (Annex I(n) OArm);
CHF 50 for entry for non professional purposes (Annex I(o) OArm);
CHF 20 to 150 for special authorization for entry into Swiss territory (Annex I(c)1 8 OArm);
CHF 20 for extensions of authorizations (Annex I(l) and (p) OArm);
CHF 20 to 150 for entry into Swiss territory (Annex I(c)1 8 OArm).
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
The law does not require a deposit.
Amount or rate?
Fees up to CHF 1,000 may be charged in advance or against reimbursement (Article 57 OArm).
Is it refundable?
Fees up to CHF 1,000 may be charged in advance or against reimbursement (Article 57 OArm).
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
There are no reasons to refuse an application for a licence other than failure to meet the specific criteria.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
The reasons for any refusal are communicated to the applicant, who has a right to appeal the decision to the Federal Administrative Court and, at second instance, to the Federal Supreme Court.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
The reasons for any refusal are communicated to the applicant, who has a right to appeal the decision to the Federal Administrative Court and, at second instance, to the Federal Supreme Court.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
The reasons for any refusal are communicated to the applicant, who has a right to appeal the decision to the Federal Administrative Court and, at second instance, to the Federal Supreme Court.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
The general authorization for weapons for professional purposes, whereby an unlimited number of weapons may be introduced, is valid for a period of 12 months (Article 38(3) OArm). Licences for the entry for non professional purposes of prohibited weapons subject to authorization or subject to declaration are valid for a period of six months, extendable by no more than three months (Article 39(2) OArm).
What documents are required upon actual importation?
No further documents are required upon actual entry.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No further restrictions.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
A single authorization for entering a single consignment of weapons for professional purposes is valid for six months. The competent authority may extend its validity for no more than three months (Article 36(3) OArm).
General authorizations for the entry of weapons, etc. for professional purposes are valid for 12 months (Article 37(3) OArm). Upon expiration, a new licence may be applied for.
Licences for the entry for non professional purposes of prohibited weapons, etc. subject to authorization or subject to declaration are valid for six months, extendable by no more than three months (Article 39(2) OArm).
Upon expiration, a new licence may be applied for.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
Holders of a licence are free to make use of the licence, or a portion of it, as they see fit. There is no penalty for the non utilization of a licence.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Entry licences are made out to the holder and are not transferable.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
There are no restrictions on foreign exchange in force.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
There are no restrictions on foreign exchange in force.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
There are no restrictions on foreign exchange in force.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
There are no restrictions on foreign exchange in force.