Cargo from Germany to Switzerland
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Freight Transport from Germany to Switzerland: FTL, Groupage & Pallets
Neva Logistics coordinates full truckload (FTL), groupage (LTL) and pallet transport from Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf to Zurich, Basel, Geneva, Bern, Lausanne. Germany is Switzerland's largest trading partner, and the Basel / Weil am Rhein and Konstanz / Kreuzlingen border crossings handle a large share of that traffic. Collection anywhere in Germany is followed by EU export and Swiss import clearance and delivery to Zurich, Basel, Bern or Geneva. The Swiss night ban (22:00–05:00) and 40 t limit apply.
Quick answer: Freight from Germany to Switzerland with Neva Logistics costs from €250 for one Euro pallet and from €900 for a full truckload (excl. VAT). A full truck takes 2–3 business days from Frankfurt to Zurich (≈430 km); groupage and pallets take 3–5 days. Each shipment needs Swiss and EU customs declarations, which we prepare. For example, 1 Euro pallet from Hamburg to Zurich starts from €255; 2 pallets from €420; 3 pallets from €550.
Last updated: September 2026 · Prices are indicative and exclude VAT.
What Cargo We Ship from Germany to Switzerland
These are Germany’s key export sectors and the loads we most often carry on this lane. In Switzerland we deliver to Zurich, Basel (including the Rhine ports), Bern, the Lake Geneva region and Ticino. Swiss customs clearance can be completed at the border or at an inland office.
Why Ship Germany → Switzerland with Us
One team for the whole lane: full trucks, groupage and pallets from Germany to Switzerland, with route planning, road charges and customs all built into one clear quote.
Direct FTL in 2–3 days
Frankfurt → Zurich ≈430 km, no reloading; 2 days with a double-driver crew.
Groupage from one pallet
From €250 per Euro pallet, 3–5 days. A full truck becomes cheaper than groupage from about 6 pallets.
Customs handled
Export and import declarations for the Swiss border, Swiss VAT 8.1%.
Tolls included
Road charges on the route (LKW-Maut, LSVA/HVF) are included in the quote.
How Much Does Freight from Germany to Switzerland Cost and How Long Does It Take?
Prices start at €250 per Euro pallet and €900 per full truck (Frankfurt → Zurich, excl. VAT). On this lane a full truck becomes cheaper than groupage from about 6 pallets.
| Service | Transit Time | Typical Weight/Size | Price from * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groupage / LTL (1 pallet) | 3–5 business days | 120×80 cm, ≤500 kg | €250 per pallet |
| Groupage / LTL (6 pallets) | 3–5 business days | 6 Euro pallets, ≤3 t | €1,050 |
| Full Truck Load (13.6 m trailer) | 2–3 business days | 24 t / 33 pallets | €900 per truck |
Pallet rates between major cities: Germany → Switzerland
Rates are structured by specific pickup and delivery city. The table covers 25 major city pairs and is prepared for separate 1, 2 and 3 Euro pallet tariffs.
| Route | 1 Euro pallet | 2 Euro pallets | 3 Euro pallets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamburg → Zurich | €255 | €420 | €550 |
| Hamburg → Basel | €265 | €430 | €570 |
| Hamburg → Geneva | €280 | €450 | €595 |
| Hamburg → Bern | €265 | €425 | €565 |
| Hamburg → Lausanne | €275 | €445 | €590 |
| Munich → Zurich | €265 | €430 | €570 |
| Munich → Basel | €275 | €445 | €585 |
| Munich → Geneva | €285 | €465 | €615 |
| Munich → Bern | €270 | €440 | €580 |
| Munich → Lausanne | €285 | €460 | €610 |
| Berlin → Zurich | €250 | €410 | €540 |
| Berlin → Basel | €260 | €420 | €555 |
| Berlin → Geneva | €270 | €440 | €585 |
| Berlin → Bern | €255 | €420 | €550 |
| Berlin → Lausanne | €270 | €440 | €580 |
| Frankfurt → Zurich | €255 | €420 | €550 |
| Frankfurt → Basel | €265 | €430 | €570 |
| Frankfurt → Geneva | €280 | €450 | €595 |
| Frankfurt → Bern | €265 | €425 | €565 |
| Frankfurt → Lausanne | €275 | €445 | €590 |
| Düsseldorf → Zurich | €255 | €420 | €550 |
| Düsseldorf → Basel | €265 | €430 | €570 |
| Düsseldorf → Geneva | €280 | €450 | €595 |
| Düsseldorf → Bern | €265 | €425 | €565 |
| Düsseldorf → Lausanne | €275 | €445 | €590 |
Transit times between main cities
| Route | Distance, km | Ferry | FTL, 1 driver (days) | FTL, 2 drivers (days) | Groupage (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamburg → Zurich | ≈890 | — | 3–4 | 2 | 4–6 |
| Hamburg → Basel | ≈820 | — | 3–4 | 2 | 4–6 |
| Munich → Zurich | ≈310 | — | 2–3 | 2 | 3–5 |
| Munich → Basel | ≈400 | — | 2–3 | 2 | 3–5 |
At about 430 km the road leg needs roughly 6 hours of driving. Under EU driving-time rules (Regulation (EC) No 561/2006) one driver may drive up to 9 hours a day (10 hours twice a week), so the trip fits within one driver’s shift. Customs clearance is included in the transit times.
* Indicative prices, September 2026, excl. VAT, incl. tolls and customs formalities. Final price depends on postcodes, weight, loading metres and handling.
Quick pallet price answers: Germany → Switzerland
Direct answers for selected major-city routes. The complete table above contains all 25 city combinations and 1, 2 and 3 pallet rates.
How much is a pallet from Hamburg to Zurich?
1 Euro pallet from Hamburg to Zurich starts from €255; 2 pallets from €420; 3 pallets from €550. Prices are indicative, exclude VAT, and assume standard non-hazardous palletized freight.
How much is a pallet from Munich to Zurich?
1 Euro pallet from Munich to Zurich starts from €265; 2 pallets from €430; 3 pallets from €570. Prices are indicative, exclude VAT, and assume standard non-hazardous palletized freight.
How much is a pallet from Hamburg to Basel?
1 Euro pallet from Hamburg to Basel starts from €265; 2 pallets from €430; 3 pallets from €570. Prices are indicative, exclude VAT, and assume standard non-hazardous palletized freight.
How much is a pallet from Berlin to Geneva?
1 Euro pallet from Berlin to Geneva starts from €270; 2 pallets from €440; 3 pallets from €585. Prices are indicative, exclude VAT, and assume standard non-hazardous palletized freight.
How much is a pallet from Düsseldorf to Lausanne?
1 Euro pallet from Düsseldorf to Lausanne starts from €275; 2 pallets from €445; 3 pallets from €590. Prices are indicative, exclude VAT, and assume standard non-hazardous palletized freight.
Which Route Do Trucks Take from Germany to Switzerland?
The usual road route runs Germany → Switzerland, via Karlsruhe, Stuttgart.
️ Route stages
- Collection in Germany — Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf; FTL loads go direct, groupage is consolidated at a hub.
- Customs border — export and import clearance at the Swiss border.
- Delivery in Switzerland — Zurich, Basel, Geneva, Bern, Lausanne and all other postcodes.
Driving bans & road charges
- Traffic restrictions: Seasonal traffic restrictions and national holiday driving bans may affect transit times on this route. These are checked when planning each shipment.
- Road charges: Germany (LKW-Maut), Switzerland (LSVA/HVF) — included in our price.
Customs, Duties & Taxes: Germany → Switzerland
Export from Germany
An EU export declaration is filed in Germany; goods cross at the border or travel under T1 transit to an inland Swiss customs office.
Import into Switzerland
- Duty: none on industrial goods since January 2024; food and agricultural goods may be dutiable
- VAT: 8.1% Swiss import VAT
- Docs: Swiss import declaration (Passar), invoice, packing list
Source: Swiss customs (BAZG).
Liability: international road freight is carried under the CMR Convention, which limits the carrier’s liability to 8.33 SDR per kg of gross weight. For high-value cargo, additional cargo insurance is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions: Germany → Switzerland Shipping
How much does freight from Germany to Switzerland cost?
One Euro pallet costs from €250, six pallets from €1,050 and a full truckload from €900, excluding VAT. The final price depends on postcodes, weight, loading metres and handling.
How much is a pallet from Hamburg to Zurich?
1 Euro pallet from Hamburg to Zurich starts from €255; 2 pallets from €420; 3 pallets from €550. Prices are indicative, exclude VAT, and assume standard non-hazardous palletized freight.
How much is a pallet from Munich to Zurich?
1 Euro pallet from Munich to Zurich starts from €265; 2 pallets from €430; 3 pallets from €570. Prices are indicative, exclude VAT, and assume standard non-hazardous palletized freight.
How much is a pallet from Hamburg to Basel?
1 Euro pallet from Hamburg to Basel starts from €265; 2 pallets from €430; 3 pallets from €570. Prices are indicative, exclude VAT, and assume standard non-hazardous palletized freight.
How long does freight from Germany to Switzerland take?
A full truck needs 2–3 business days (2 days with a double-driver crew). Groupage and pallets take 3–5 business days.
Which route do trucks take from Germany to Switzerland?
The usual route runs Germany → Switzerland.
Is customs clearance needed for Switzerland?
Yes. Switzerland is outside the EU customs union, so export and import declarations are required. Industrial goods pay no Swiss duty; Swiss import VAT is 8.1%. The LSVA heavy vehicle fee is included in our price.
What is the VAT rate in Switzerland?
The standard VAT rate in Switzerland is 8.1%. It is charged as import VAT on goods entering the country.
When is a full truck cheaper than groupage from Germany to Switzerland?
On this lane a full truck becomes cheaper than groupage from about 6 pallets. Six pallets cost from €1,050 in groupage, a dedicated truck from €900.
What cargo is typically shipped from Germany to Switzerland?
Mostly automotive, machinery, chemicals, electrical equipment, plus general palletised cargo. Main collection points in Germany: Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne/Ruhr, Munich, Stuttgart, Berlin.
Is next-day delivery possible?
Yes. On this short lane, pallets collected in the morning are usually delivered the next business day, and full trucks often the same day.
Related Freight Routes
Germany → Switzerland: route-specific freight details
Main pickup cities: Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf.
Main delivery cities: Zurich, Basel, Geneva, Bern, Lausanne.
Typical road corridor: The usual road route runs Germany → Switzerland, via Karlsruhe, Stuttgart.
Common cargo and industries: Automotive | Machinery | Chemicals | ⚡ Electrical equipment | General palletised cargo
Seasonal and operational planning: Seasonal traffic restrictions and national holiday driving bans may affect transit times on this route. These are checked when planning each shipment.
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Prepared by the Neva Logistics freight team · Last updated: September 2026
