Japanese beverages are in demand in Swiss gastronomy and specialist retail, but alcohol is one of the most regulated product groups. Fujisan handles the specific formalities so that a brewery or distillery can focus on its product.
Switzerland distinguishes between fermented beverages such as sake, beer and wine, and distilled spirits such as shochu, whisky, gin and liqueurs. Spirits are subject to the federal spirits tax, administered by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security and calculated on the pure-alcohol content. Fermented beverages are not subject to this tax but still require customs duties, VAT and compliant labelling.
Sake sits in an unusual position for European authorities: brewed like beer, with an alcohol content closer to wine. Its customs classification and labelling follow the rules for fermented beverages. Fujisan has prepared the classification and documentation so that a sake brewery does not need to research this alone.
The importer of spirits must be registered with the authority, file the tax declarations and keep records that may be audited. Fujisan, as importer of record, carries these obligations.
Alcohol advertising and sales to minors are regulated, and some cantons apply additional rules. Our distribution to restaurants, bars, specialist shops and online retailers follows these rules so that the maker's brand is never exposed.
Have a product for this market? Send us a short presentation. We reply within a few working days with a first assessment, in English or Japanese.
Contact FujisanThis guide is general information prepared by Fujisan Sagl and is not legal advice. Regulations change; we verify the applicable requirements for each product before import.
