Commercial Cargo Shipping to Switzerland from Canada

Home / Shipping to Switzerland / Commercial cargo

Commercial LCL shipping from Canada to Switzerland

Samples, spare parts, stock for a small shop or goods for a customer abroad do not need a whole container. A1 ships commercial cargo in shared ocean containers (LCL) from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to <a href="/shipping-to/basel-switzerland/">Basel</a>, <a href="/shipping-to/bern-switzerland/">Bern</a>, <a href="/shipping-to/geneva-switzerland/">Geneva</a>, <a href="/shipping-to/lausanne-switzerland/">Lausanne</a>, and <a href="/shipping-to/zurich-switzerland/">Zurich</a>. The rate starts at USD 4 per cubic foot to Basel, and the carrier estimates 25–47 days in transit depending on the gateway and the city.

Switzerland is not in the EU. Household effects of people moving to Switzerland are duty-free when they have been used for at least six months and will continue to be used by the owner. They are declared with Swiss form 18.44 (application for customs clearance of household effects) and an inventory. Alcohol, tobacco and new goods are taxed.

Commercial cargo rates to Switzerland

Example: a small commercial shipment from Toronto to Basel

• A few cartons (0.4 CBM, 80 kg): USD 456.14
• One pallet, 120 × 100 × 150 cm, 350 kg (1.8 CBM): USD 519.30
• Two such pallets (3.6 CBM, 700 kg): USD 773.61

The totals include the A1 processing fee, surcharges and solar fee. The carrier charges by volume or by weight (1,000 kg per CBM), whichever is greater. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier before you pay; customs duties and taxes are paid by the importer in Switzerland.

Which Canadian gateway: one pallet to Basel

• From Toronto: USD 519.30, about 25 days
• From Montreal: USD 519.30, about 25 days
• From Vancouver: USD 646.46, about 38 days

Toronto is both the least expensive and the fastest gateway to Basel. Choose the warehouse you can reach; from other Canadian cities the calculator shows the lowest of the three.

One pallet to different cities in Switzerland

• Basel: USD 519.30 from Toronto, about 25 days
• Bern: USD 519.30 from Montreal, about 37 days
• Geneva: USD 519.30 from Montreal, about 37 days
• Lausanne: USD 519.30 from Montreal, about 37 days
• Zurich: USD 519.30 from Montreal, about 37 days

The difference between the least and the most expensive of these is USD 0.00.

Dense goods are charged by weight: 1 CBM of tiles or metal parts weighing 800 kg costs USD 456.14 to Basel, against USD 456.14 for 1 CBM at 200 kg.

Documents for commercial cargo

• Commercial invoice. Our commercial invoice (PDF): seller and buyer, a clear description of each item, quantity, unit value, total value, currency and country of origin. HS codes help customs in Switzerland classify the goods.
• Packing list. The packing list (PDF) gives the pieces, packed dimensions and gross weight of every pallet, crate or carton, matching the invoice.
• Customs value. The customs value of the shipment may not exceed CAD 2,000.

The importer's details that the carrier conditions below ask for (tax or registration numbers) go on the invoice and the booking. More help: commercial shipping documents.

Pallets and crates

Commercial cargo travels palletized or crated. Wood packaging must be ISPM 15 heat-treated and stamped, or the cargo can be refused at the destination. Stack the cartons squarely on the pallet, no wider than the pallet itself, and stretch-wrap and strap them; label every piece with the consignee's name and city in Switzerland. You deliver the cargo, already palletized or crated, to our receiving warehouse in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver: A1 does not offer pickup and does not palletize. The warehouse measures and weighs the cargo, and the final price follows those measurements.

Carrier conditions for Switzerland

• Subject To T-Doc $15.00
• Commercial Invoice Required
• Personal Effects / Household Goods On Approval
• Subject to ISPM 15 Packing Regulations

How to book

Calculate the price in the calculator above with the cargo type "Commercial cargo", accept the quote and upload the commercial invoice and packing list on your booking page. After the carrier confirms the destination charges, you pay and receive the labels and the warehouse delivery instructions. Sending your own belongings rather than goods? See personal effects shipping to Switzerland.

Shipping to Switzerland by service

• All shipping to Switzerland: rates and destinations
• Personal effects shipping to Switzerland from Canada

By city: Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich.

Questions and answers

Rates valid through December 25, 2026; totals include A1 fees of USD 265.00. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier, duties and taxes are paid by the consignee, and transit days are the carrier's estimate.