Swiss-US trade relations

Following the lifting of the country-specific additional tariffs by the US Supreme Court, the US President introduced a new across-the-board additional tariff of 10%, citing a different legal basis. This across-the-board additional tariff is to be levied on all trading partners and is in addition to the applicable most-favoured-nation (MFN) tariffs. Certain products listed in Annex II of the Executive Order remain exempt from the additional tariffs. Existing sector-specific additional tariffs remain in place. From 31 July 2026, additional tariffs will be imposed on pharmaceutical products under Section 232. The recommendations resulting from the USTR’s Section 301 investigations into unfair or discriminatory trade practices — aimed at introducing an additional tariff of 12.5% — do not enter into force immediately. Switzerland firmly rejects the allegations put forward in these investigations.

© SECO / AI-generated

Information and points of contact for affected businesses

• If you have specific questions regarding US import regulations and tariffs on imports from Switzerland, please refer to the information provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
  U.S. Customs and Border Protection helpline: [e-mail]
• For further advice in connection with exports from Switzerland to the USA you can contact Export Help at Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE):
  Tel.: [phone]
  Email: [e-mail]
  Website: S-GE ExportHelp | S-GE
• Import duties on goods from the United States (FOCBS)
• Importers, customs brokers and industry associations can provide further details.

• Detailed information on US additional tariffs

  PDF425.87 kB14 April 2026

Official information from the US government

• Proclamation: Imposing a Temporary Import Surcharge to Address Fundamental International Payments Problems
• Customs and Border Protection Guidance: Imposing Temporary Section 122 Duties
• Implementing Certain Tariff-Related Elements of the Framework for a United States-Switzerland-Liechtenstein Agreement on Fair, Balanced, and Reciprocal Trade
• CSMS # 67133044 - Guidance – Implementation of Tariff-Related Elements of the Framework for a United States-Switzerland-Liechtenstein Agreement

• Joint Statement

  On a Framework for a United States – Switzerland – Liechtenstein: Agreement on Fair, Balanced, and Reciprocal Trade

  PDF321.99 kB16 November 2025

• Declaration by Switzerland

  On Further Action by Switzerland under the “Joint Statement on a Framework for a United States – Switzerland – Liechtenstein Agreement on Fair, Balanced, and Reciprocal Trade” Issued on November 14, 2025

  PDF136.25 kB29 June 2026

Negotiations with the US on a trade agreement are continuing

On 20 February, the US Supreme Court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorise the US President to impose general tariffs. The court thereby overturned the government's application of this law to justify the imposition of comprehensive additional tariffs on imports since 2 April 2025. The country-specific additional tariffs were repealed with effect from 24 February 2026.

Nevertheless, the US government is firmly pursuing its approach to trade and economic policy. Shortly after the ruling was announced, it decided to replace the IEEPA-based additional tariffs with new additional tariffs based on different legislation (Section 122 of the US Trade Act). These comprise a 10% global additional tariff on imports to the United States, in force since 24 February 2026.

The new additional tariffs under Section 122 of the US Trade Act will not be applied in addition to the existing country-specific additional tariffs but will replace them for a period of 150 days. They are to be applied in addition to the MFN tariffs already in place before 2 April 2025, with certain products remaining exempt from the additional tariffs. The US government announced that it is preparing trade measures based on other legislation, which are in turn intended to replace the Section 122 additional tariffs once the 150-day period expires.

In this context, on 11 and 12 March 2026, the US launched two investigations against Switzerland under Section 301 of the US Trade Act, which addresses ‘unfair or discriminatory trade practices’. The first investigation focuses on alleged overcapacity in industrial production and its causes, while the second investigation concerns possible failures to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour. In addition to Switzerland, a series of other countries, as well as the EU, are affected by these investigations. Switzerland has submitted written comments in response to the allegations in both investigations. These are available via the following links:

• Investigations into excess capacity in manufacturing (PDF)
• Investigations into forced labour (PDF)

On 2 June 2026, the US Trade Representative (USTR) published the findings of its Section 301 investigation into the failure to combat trade in goods produced with forced labour. It concludes that, of the 60 economies examined, only some had introduced such a prohibition, and that even those that had done so had failed to effectively enforce it. On that basis, the USTR issued recommendations to impose flat-rate additional tariffs of 12.5% on countries, such as Switzerland, which have not introduced a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour. For countries with an existing or future import ban, it recommends a tariff rate of 10%.

These recommendations will not come into force immediately; instead, interested parties are invited to submit comments prior to a public hearing. Switzerland firmly rejects the allegations brought forward in the context of this investigation. Rather than imposing an import ban, Switzerland pursues a comprehensive approach that combines government regulation, mandatory risk assessments initiated by the private sector, and international cooperation. The focus is on prevention and addressing the root causes within supply chains. These approaches differ in method, but not in their aim or effectiveness. Switzerland’s approach does not harm US industry.

The additional tariffs resulting from the Section 301 investigations are likely to replace the 10% additional tariffs imposed under Section 122, which are in force until 24 July. At the same time, it is expected that additional tariffs will be imposed as a result of the Section 301 investigations into overcapacity, the findings and recommendations of which are expected in the coming weeks.

Negotiations with the US on a trade agreement are continuing. In the negotiations, the Federal Council is taking current developments into account and is seeking an outcome that will provide a satisfactory long-term framework for economic relations between the two countries, irrespective of legal and political developments in the US.

On 29 June 2026, the Federal Council issued a unilateral declaration announcing the implementation of certain additional elements of the joint declaration of intent of 14 November 2025. In return, it expects the United States to comply with the commitments set out in that declaration. The Federal Council’s objective remains the conclusion of a trade agreement.

On 6 April 2026, new Section 232 additional tariffs on pharmaceutical products, as well as on steel, aluminium and copper, also entered into force. The additional tariffs range from 10% to 50% and are subject to various country- and product-specific provisions. An additional duty of up to 15% is to be levied on US pharmaceutical imports from Switzerland. However, there are various product exemptions and company-specific regulations that allow for the import of pharmaceuticals at reduced or zero additional tariffs. The US is thus adhering to the joint memorandum of understanding of 14 November 2025. Negotiations on a trade agreement with the US are continuing. Under the current negotiating mandate, the aim of the ongoing negotiations remains to secure stable conditions for Swiss businesses in the US market and to improve these where possible.

SECO will keep the sectors concerned regularly informed of developments, the application of the new provisions, and the relevant customs classifications.

Questions and answers

• Which tariffs are affected by the Supreme Court ruling?

  The court ruling only affects the so-called ‘reciprocal’ additional tariffs and those associated with the import of fentanyl based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

  The legal basis for these additional tariffs, which were imposed on 2 April, was deemed insufficient.

  Other tariffs – in particular most-favoured-nation (MFN) tariffs and sectoral additional tariffs based on Section 232 – remain in place.

• What tariff rate applies?

  Since 24 February 2026, an across-the-board additional tariff ceiling of 10% has been in force, which is added to the applicable MFN tariffs and replaces the IEEPA additional tariffs that were previously in force (15% for Switzerland, ‘unstacked’, i.e. including MFN tariff).

  In addition, the existing additional tariffs based on Section 232 on, for example, steel and aluminium or cars and car parts will continue to apply.

  The across-the-board additional tariff of 10% and the sector-specific additional tariffs under Section 232 are not levied cumulatively.

  Exemptions that have applied to date (e.g. for pharmaceuticals and gold) will largely continue to apply and are not subject to the across-the-board additional tariff of 10%.

  The additional tariffs based on Section 122 are valid for 150 days from 24 February 2026 and would subsequently have to be extended by Congress.

• Can companies claim a refund for the customs tariffs that have already been paid?

  Following the decision of the US Supreme Court on 20 February 2026, US importers (Importer of Record) may claim a refund for any excess customs duties paid. The possible recovery of these tariffs from the competent US authorities is a matter for the companies concerned, in particular importers of goods into the United States.

  For further details and information on the procedure, please refer to the S-GE website as well as the official contact point of the US Customs and Border Protection regarding refunds: U.S. Customs and Border Protection ACH Refund Support Helpdesk Indianapolis (Indiana); Telephone: [phone], Ext. 1178 E-Mail: [e-mail]

• What is the aim of the ongoing negotiations with the US?

  The aim of the negotiations is to ensure that Swiss companies have access to foreign markets that is as free of discrimination as possible, as well as long-term legal and planning security. The negotiation of a legally binding trade agreement with the US therefore remains important.

• What concessions did Switzerland make?

  Under the framework, Switzerland has confirmed it will continue applying zero duties on all US industrial products.

  Switzerland is also eliminating tariffs on fish and seafood as well as on certain US agricultural goods that are not sensitive from an agricultural policy standpoint.

  Switzerland will additionally provide the US with duty-free bilateral tariff quotas on selected US export products: 500 tonnes of beef, 1,000 tonnes of bison meat and 1,500 tonnes of poultry meat.

  These tariff cuts align with Swiss agricultural policy goals and are not expected to hurt domestic production or Swiss prices.

  Switzerland and the US have also agreed to cooperate on non-tariff barriers. This includes treating conformity assessment bodies the same as domestic ones and recognising certain US standards as a basis for technical regulations – making it easier to import US cars and medical devices.

  A major part of the framework deal is Switzerland's commitment to encourage and facilitate at least USD 200 billion in investment by Swiss companies in the United States over the next five years. A third of this will be invested by the end of 2026, based on projects already in the pipeline.

• How will the framework affect Swiss agriculture?

  Switzerland's agricultural market access concessions do not affect products it considers sensitive.

  Beef and poultry are sensitive sectors, so concessions were limited to bilateral tariff quotas to protect Swiss agricultural interests.

  No significant impact on domestic production or prices is expected.

• Will Swiss supermarkets now stock US chlorinated chicken?

  Switzerland has agreed to work with the US on specific measures to manage poultry imports. This does not mean Switzerland is accepting US food standards or production methods.

  The Federal Council remains committed to domestic production as essential for food security. That said, Switzerland is not self-sufficient: for example, nearly 40% of the poultry consumed in Switzerland is already imported.

  The federal government also prioritises public health and food safety, including for imported products.

• Does streamlining sanitary requirements mean Switzerland will adopt US regulations and drop its own standards?

  Switzerland and the US intend to cooperate on streamlining sanitary requirements for labelling and certificates, particularly for beef, bison and dairy products.

  This cooperation does not mean Switzerland will adopt US regulations or abandon its own standards.

  The goal is to better align procedures and make cooperation smoother, while still meeting Switzerland's strict food safety requirements.

• What do the regulatory simplifications for US cars mean? Will Cybertrucks now be on Swiss roads?

  For approving individual vehicles for the Swiss market under Swiss law, Switzerland plans to simplify how it recognises US standards.

  This does not mean adopting US regulations or committing to approve specific vehicle models.

• Does Switzerland now have to adopt US sanctions?

  The framework says Switzerland and the US will strengthen cooperation on economic security – specifically sanctions and export controls. It also sets out plans to cooperate on supply chains and inward foreign investment.

  The framework does not oblige Switzerland to adopt US sanctions or other measures against third countries.

  As a sovereign state, Switzerland decides independently – under its own laws – whether and where to adopt measures protecting its national interests.

The provision of binding legal information on US import regulations and tariffs is the responsibility of the relevant US authorities (see contact details for U.S. Customs and Border Protection). The information provided here is for information purposes only.

Links

• Short-time work compensation in connection with US tariffs (in German)
• Switzerland's Economic Impact in the United States (PDF)
• Exporthelp at Switzerland Global Enterprise
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• AS 2025 832
  Verordnung vom 12. November 2025 über Einfuhrzölle für Waren aus den Vereinigten Staaten (available in German only)
• AS 2025 833
  Verordnung des WBF vom 8. Dezember 2025 über die Ursprungsregeln für Waren aus den Vereinigten Staaten (available in German only)

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