Shipments of animal products
Ensuring compliance and proper handling for your animal-based perishables
Veterinary inspection
All animal products imported from non-EU countries are subject to veterinary inspection upon entering Switzerland. Shipments must enter via registered ports of entry equipped with inspection facilities, such as Zurich and Geneva airports. To prevent the introduction of animal diseases, various conditions must be satisfied when importing animal products. Depending on the routing, shipments may undergo the following checks:
- Documentary: Verification of required documentation.
- Identity: Confirmation that products match their descriptions.
- Physical: Actual inspection of the goods.
TRACES Registration
All shipments of animal products from non-EU countries intended for import into Switzerland and the EU must be registered in the TRACES (Trade Control and Expert System). Transit shipments will be registered by the handling agent in Zurich.
CITES Regulations
Endangered species (fauna and flora), their parts, and derivatives of animal and plant species originating in the EU are subject to border veterinary inspections concerning CITES regulations. For specimens derived from species listed in CITES Appendix III, valid documents must accompany the shipments upon entry.