Customs procedures in Switzerland are straightforward and not burdensome. With the exception of certain restrictions on agricultural items, the Swiss market is essentially open for the import of U.S. merchandise. The government has negotiated, but not yet ratified, an agreement with the European Union that neither country will subsidize dairy product exports to the other. Protection of U.S. Intellectual Property Switzerland has one of the best regimes in the world for the protection of intellectual property, and protection is afforded equally to foreign and domestic rights holders. Switzerland is a member of all major international intellectual property rights conventions and was an active supporter of a strong IPR text on the GATT Uruguay Round negotiations.
Enforcement is generally very good.
The new regulation enacted by the Swiss Intercantonal Office for the Control of Medicines mandates a 10-year protection period for such data. Prior to this regulation taking effect, the lack of protection in this area negatively impacted one U.S. company. However, it is now very unlikely that any further problems will arise for U.S. firms. Patent protection is very broad, and Swiss law provides rights to inventors that are comparable to those available in the United States. The duration of a patent is 20 years.