G/MA/W/154  
27 May 2020 
(20-3836) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Market Access  Original:  French  
 
  
NOTIFICATION OF UNILATERAL MEASURES RELATED TO THE COVID -19 PANDEMIC: 
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF CUSTOMS DUTIES ON MEDICAL GOODS  
COMMUNICATION FROM SWITZERLAND  
The following communication, dated 2 6 May 2 020, is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Switzerland . 
 
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Switzerland wishes to notify World Trade Organization (WTO) Members of the recent unilateral trade  
facilita tion measures taken in response to the COVID -19 pandemic  to support trade flows in terms  
of the importation of vital medical supplies needed to tackle the COVID -19 crisis. 
 
Measures to facilitate the importation of medical goods  
 
In Switzerland, the extremely rapid spread of the coronavirus has led to a sharp increase in the need 
for medical items such as masks, examination gloves, protective glasses and clothing, and 
disinfectant . In order to meet th e demand, Switzerland has to re ly on imports . Switzerland has 
temporarily suspended, from 1 0 April  to 9 October 2 020, customs duties  on these essential  medical 
goods1, which will benefit from simplified and more advantageous import arrangements . 
 
Further information is available at : 
https://www.admin.ch/gov/fr/accueil/documentation/communiques.msg -id-78743.html  
 
These measures are concrete examples of Switzerland's efforts to keep trade barrier -free in these 
times of crisis . Switzerland hopes that its actions will encourage other Members to take similar 
market -opening measures . 
 
 
1 https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified -compilation/20201000/index.html  G/MA/W/154  
- 2 - 
  ANNEX1 
Communiqué  
 
Coronavirus : Federal Council suspends customs duties on medical goods  
 
Bern,  8 April 2 020 – Protective equipment and other single -use medical items play a 
crucial role in the fight against the coronavirus . Switzerland does not have enough of 
these products and must i ncrease  its suppl y. The Federal Council therefore decided, on 
8 April 2 020, to temporarily suspend import duties on essential  medical goods, thus 
enabling these items  to benefit from simplified and more advantageous import 
arrangements . 
 
In Switzerland, the extremely rapid spread of the coronavirus has led to a sharp increase in the need 
for medical items such as masks, examination gloves, protective glasses and clothing, and 
disinfectant . In order to meet the demand, Switzerland has to rely on imports . By suspending 
customs duties, the Federal Council seeks to facilitate the distribution of essential medical supplies 
to hospitals, care workers and patients . 
 
In exceptional  circumstances, particularly in the event of shortages , or increases in the prices , of 
essential goods , the Customs Tariff Law authorizes the Federal Council to reduce  or remove customs 
duties . On this legal basis, the Federal Council decided to suspend customs duties on essential 
medical goods for which the normal rate is not already zero . 
 
This measure reduces the costs and the administrative burden related to importing  the goods 
concerned . Importers are no longer required to provide proof of origin in order to benefit from the 
duty-free entry arrangements provided for in free trade agreements . Private -sector importers benefit 
from the same arrangements as the civil protection authorities of the Confederation and the cantons, 
which can already import protective equipment on a duty -free basis . 
 
The Ordinance will enter into force on 1 0 April 2 020 and remain in effect until 9 October 2 020. 
 
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1 Authentic version in French.