Moving from US to Switzerland

[Ringo]

Well, in a very unexpected turn of events, it looks I'll be moving from the US to Switzerland (French area) for about 5 years if the residence permit is granted. I'll be living in the Canton of Vaud, so I will get to deal with the crazy rules for getting a hunting license there. I'll be importing some of my Blasers, but will be severely reducing the calibers I'm going to take. Many of you know I have a "bunch" of barrels.

I'm planning on the R8 in 6.5x55, .30-06, and .300 Weatherby. If I am able to take a trip out of CH that will cover me and I can still afford to shoot the 6.5x55 for practice. I will be storing all of my other barrels and firearms in the states. I'll also take my K95 is .22 Hornet and 6.5x55. The import firm is complaining, but it is just more paperwork (and that means money for them).

Any advice from our Swiss resident members?

[dchamp]

That’s a great area, one of my favorites. I have a Brother in Law who used to have a Chalet in Anzer up in the mountains above Sion and Sierre. We would ski and eat Raclette in the winter and I learned how to Parapent there one summer. But that was many years ago, 1980’s.

I don’t have a clue about hunting there but don’t they have a caliber restriction in some parts of Switzerland, like the 10.3x60. Also, I think Blaser came out with the 10.3x68 for that reason, I think.

Regardless I love Switzerland, Good luck to you, I’m envious.

[SPEEDY]

Looks like it might be an adventure, with a little work navigating the legal side of things.

[Gamsjagd]

Contact

Erica von Schultheiss from Capra Adventures. He owns a gun shop, is a watchmaker, is a booking agent and knows everything about hunting in Switzerland. I think he lives in Valduz in German Schweiss. He is my old booking agent.

You have to take a Swiss hunting license course, Jagdschein. I am not sure if this is something that alien residents can do or not. He would know. He might be able to get you a guest permit. Should be about $900 for the hunting license, this might be per year. I am not sure how it works.

Most European nations do not believe our American hunting safety courses are the equivalent to their courses and they make you take a jagdschein course. Eric could help with the permit if this is a legal thing to do.

You will not be importing your firearms until you have a firearms license. Your American made firearms will have to be sent to a proof house to be certified. Blaser's should be fine.

Eric may be able to steer you in the right direction.

His website is: https://www.capra-adventures.com/

For information on hunting license requirements for Canton de Vaude https://www.vd.ch/themes/environnement/ ... e#c2029082

Looks like you can hunt chamois, red deer and ibex in that canton. Don't get too excited, you will probably only be able to hunt trophy ibex if you are in your 60's, and only once in your life.

Art. 4 Emoluments pour les animaux abattus par erreur et pour le tir d’une bête
supplémentaire ou marquée
1
Un émolument pour les animaux abattus par erreur est exigé sur la base de l’animal constaté lors du
contrôle (vidé, non écorché, non mutilé et avec la tête) aux prix forfaitaires suivants :
a) Bouquetin de catégorie A Fr. 200.-
b) Bouquetin de catégories B, C ou D Fr. 300.-
c) Cerf Fr. 7.-/kg
d) Cerf, supplément pour le tir d’un mâle adulte (> 8 cors) Fr. 600.-
e) Chamois, toutes catégories Fr. 200.-
f) Chamois, bouquetin, femelle allaitante Fr. 200.-
g) Cerf, sanglier, biche accompagnée de leur faon / laie
accompagnée de leurs marcassins
Fr. 100.-
2
Un émolument pour le tir d’une bête supplémentaire (abattue le même jour) ou marquée est exigé aux
prix forfaitaires suivants :
a) Cerf, bête supplémentaire (la plus grosse) Fr. 7.-/kg
b) Cerf, supplément pour le tir d’un mâle adulte Fr. 600.-
c) Cerf, bête marquée (collier émetteur) Fr. 3’500.-
d) Chamois, toutes catégories Fr. 400.-
e) Bouquetin, toutes catégories Fr. 500.

[analog_peninsula]

I lived in Coppet for a number of years, but that was many years ago and I have nothing to add about the hunting other to say it’s a lovely area in spring and summer. In fall and winter, head to the ski resorts above the cloud layer for a dose of sunshine.

[Ringo]

That's great info, thank you.

Apparently, I am able to include the firearms in my first household goods shipment after receiving the "B" permit. The import will be accomplished at that time. The relocation people are confused about the need to transport to a proof house for marking. I've read a lot and some say it is required every time and some say the first import for a new resident can skip that step. I think I'm going to only take Blasers, anyway.

I haven't found any information about reloading components and their regulations. It is Switzerland; everything is regulated so I'm sure there's something. I probably will need a reloading license!

[Gamsjagd]

You need to contact the federal police department and make sure you aren't importing firearms illegally.

This isn't one of those things to get cocky about. I have seen this time and time again while I have been stationed in Europe. American soldiers do this all the time when they include firearms in their house hold goods shipment. Only to find that they did it illegally as they can't own firearms as they don't yet have a jagdschein.

I realize Switzerland is not Germany or Italy, and the huge Swiss gun culture prevails. But it is still a European nation, and you will be surprised by what is not allowed.

Europe is incredibly beureaucratic (what nation isn't these days). It is very important to have all the right stamps, and right documents.

I would not ship anything even if you are told by some shipping agent it is ok to do it. I would wait.

Even when Eric and I were hunting in Europe he told me the Swiss Government would only allow him to bring certain things outside of Switzerland.

Be careful, or be sorry.

Something I am probably a little motherly or SGT Majorly about as I have seen it happen too many times. One guy had a very nice SIG pistol confiscated, and another guy had 5-6 guns that had been in his family a long time.

[Ringo]

The directives are clear, and I have to get the import license before my shipment arrives. As long as I stick to manual action long guns, I’m ok. Handguns take the next level of import license and those will have to wait, if at all. They will all be on the manifest. One gotcha is you basically get only one duty free shipment, unless you schedule the second one with precision at the time the first arrives. I sure don’t want to pay more to the Swiss government than I have to.

I have a period of time after I arrive to get them to a proof house.

I have a consulting firm handling all the paperwork. They’ve done it a bunch of times and nine of their clients appear to be in jail. It’s one of the services the new employer is covering for me.

I appreciate the cautions. Everything in Switzerland is heavily regulated and taxed. Fun, fun.

Now I need to find a storage facility I trust in the states.

[Gamsjagd]

Just in case you don't hear this before you get off the airplane. Food and Goods are much cheaper in Germany, France, Austria and Italy. Groceries in Switzerland are rough.

Saying that I was told that it was not legal to go shopping in another EU country for groceries and then drive across the border without paying the taxes on it.

I actually had zero problems going to a Swiss grocery store for chocolates and landjaegers (they were the best ones I have ever had) and returning to germany.

[Ringo]

It seems a lot of people in Geneva make the trip to France (obviously not a long one) and pick up supplies. I may have to do that if I can't stand Swiss beef.