Duty Free History & Regulations

How did Samnaun become duty-free?

Duty-free status since 1892
When Swiss customs became centralised in 1848, a customs office was set up in Samnaun-Compatsch. The introduction of the customs system put an abrupt stop to the region's trade with Tyrol, as duty had to be paid on all goods headed for Samnaun– a heavy economic blow to the farmers of Samnaun. For this reason, the Swiss Bundesrat decreed in 1892 that the Samnaun Valley should enjoy duty-free status. It has held on to this status to this day, although an access road through Swiss territory has existed since 1912.  After the Samnauerstrasse was opened, inns and guest houses soon began to spring up in Samnaun.

What you are allowed to take with you:

Customs regulations for the EU
Please note: This list is non-exhaustive and is only an extract from the applicable rules and regulations. The information provided is not binding. For further details, please contact the Samnaun Guest Information or the customs office at Spiss (AT), Tel. +43-512 505 568 940

Tobacco products (only for persons aged 17 or older)
200 cigarettes or
100 cigarillos or
50 cigars or
250g smoking tobacco (or proportionate selection)

Alcoholic beverages (only for persons aged 17 or above)
Up to 22 % by volume:        2 litres or
Above 22 % by volume:      1 litre and
Wine (non-sparkling):  4 litres 
Beer: 16 litres 

* For persons residing in Austria, the following quantity restrictions apply:

Tobacco products: 40 cigarettes or 20 cigarillos or 10 cigars or 50g
smoking tobacco; 

Alcoholic beverages up to 22% by volume: 1 litre; above 22% by volume: 0.25 litres

Other goods
Goods up to a total value of EUR 300 are duty-free per person (for children under the age of 15: EUR 175). Fuel located in the main tank of a vehicle as installed by the manufacturer may also be imported free of charge. In addition, 25 litres in the spare can are duty-free if the can is imported with the car/motorcycle. Please note that the fuel that was imported on a duty-free basis may only be used in the vehicle it was imported in.

Customs boundary district: place of residence located within 15km of the Austrian customs office (as the crow flies). Tobacco products: 25 cigarettes or 10 cigarillos or 5 cigars or 25g smoking tobacco; alcoholic drinks up to 22% by volume: 0.75 litres; more than 22% by volume: 0.25 litres. Wine (non-sparkling): 1 litre; beer: 2 litres. Other goods: maximum value of EUR 20.00, of which food products, beer and non-alcoholic beverages: up to EUR 4.00.

Customs regulations for Switzerland
Applies to persons residing in Switzerland

Please note: This list is non-exhaustive and is only an extract from the applicable rules and regulations. For further details, please contact the Samnaun Guest Information or the customs office Martina,
tel. +41-58-480 10 40

Tobacco products (only for persons aged 17 or older)
250 cigarettes or
250 cigars or
250g smoking tobacco 

Alcoholic beverages (only for persons aged 17 or older)
Up to 18% by volume: 5 litres
Above 18% by volume: 1 litre

Other goods
Goods for private use/consumption or for gifting purposes are duty-free up to a total value of CHF 300.00. If the total value of the imported goods exceeds this amount, duty must be paid on all goods. It is not possible to increase the amount permitted by combining the tax-free allowances of several individuals. 

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products are part of the allowance, but are only duty-free in the quantities specified.  Allowances are granted on a daily basis and exclusively for goods (luggage excepted) that are registered in person for customs clearance when crossing the border.

An allowance of 1kg in total applies for meat products. No distinction is made between individual kinds of meat. Milk and dairy products, eggs, vegetables, fruit and grain products are no longer subject to customs duty.