Parcel Forwarding from the UK to Switzerland
Parcel Forwarding from the UK to Switzerland
Switzerland sits at the heart of Europe but outside its customs union — giving Swiss shoppers a unique position. They have easy access to European goods but pay Swiss prices in Swiss Francs, and they face the same international shipping barriers as any non-EU buyer when trying to access UK retail. The Swiss Franc is one of the world's strongest currencies, UK retail prices in GBP are highly competitive for Swiss buyers, and many of the UK's most popular brands either do not ship to Switzerland directly or charge international rates that make individual purchases impractical. A free Send2Hub UK address removes all of these barriers. This guide explains how to forward parcels from the UK to Switzerland and why it makes financial and practical sense for Swiss shoppers.
Why Swiss Shoppers Buy from the UK
The CHF/GBP advantage
The Swiss Franc is one of the world's strongest and most stable currencies. For Swiss buyers, UK retail prices denominated in GBP consistently represent genuine value — even after Swiss customs VAT (8.1%), a customs handling fee of approximately CHF 22-25 per shipment and international forwarding costs. For higher-value purchases — British heritage fashion, premium homeware, quality footwear, cosmetics and electronics — the GBP pricing advantage means that ordering from the UK and forwarding via Send2Hub is often significantly cheaper than buying the same branded product through Swiss retail channels priced in CHF.
UK brands unavailable or overpriced in Switzerland
Many of the UK's most popular brands have limited or no retail presence in Switzerland — and where Swiss stockists do exist, local pricing in CHF typically carries a significant premium over the equivalent UK GBP price. Accessing these brands directly from UK retailers via a Send2Hub forwarding address is the most cost-effective route for Swiss buyers wanting genuine UK pricing.
UK-only retailers that don't ship to Switzerland
Many popular UK retailers deliver to UK addresses only — including Primark, Boots, Dunelm, Marks and Spencer Food and many independent British brands. A Send2Hub UK address at our Stoke-on-Trent warehouse is the only practical way for Swiss buyers to access these retailers. Visit our guide to UK brands that don't ship internationally for a comprehensive overview.
Popular UK Brands Swiss Shoppers Forward via Send2Hub
British heritage and outdoor fashion
British heritage brands are particularly popular with Swiss buyers — aligning with Swiss appreciation for quality, durability and classic design. Barbour waxed jackets and quilted gilets, Hunter Wellington boots, Clarks footwear, Joules country clothing, FatFace casual wear and Seasalt Cornwall are all frequently forwarded to Switzerland. British tailoring brands including Charles Tyrwhitt, Hawes and Curtis and Thomas Pink are popular for Swiss professional dress — available at UK prices significantly below Swiss equivalent pricing. Outdoor and hiking brands including Craghoppers and Berghaus, widely used in the Swiss alpine context, are also available at competitive UK prices.
British fashion — womenswear and menswear
UK mid-market fashion is well-suited to Swiss buying patterns. Marks and Spencer clothing — particularly womenswear, lingerie and suits — has a strong following among Swiss buyers for its quality-to-price ratio. Next, Reiss, Phase Eight, Hobbs, White Stuff and Boden are popular for Swiss womenswear. Paul Smith, Oliver Spencer and Ted Baker are popular for Swiss menswear. Most of these brands have no Swiss retail presence or charge significant CHF premiums through their Swiss stockists.
British beauty and skincare
UK beauty and skincare brands are popular forwards from Switzerland. Boots No7 — available only through Boots UK with UK delivery only — has a devoted international following including in Switzerland. Liz Earle, Elemis, Molton Brown, This Works and Charlotte Tilbury are all popular. Note that perfumes and aerosols are prohibited items at Send2Hub and cannot be forwarded. Check our prohibited items page before ordering beauty products.
British homeware and lifestyle
British homeware brands popular with Swiss buyers include The White Company (bedding, towels, home fragrance), Emma Bridgewater (ceramic tableware), Portmeirion and Cath Kidston. John Lewis own-brand homeware — particularly bedding and kitchenware — is also popular for its quality relative to UK pricing. Dunelm, the UK's largest homeware retailer, delivers to UK addresses only and is accessible via a Send2Hub address.
British food — popular with expat community
Switzerland has a significant British expat community — particularly in Geneva, Zurich and Basel — with strong demand for British food products unavailable locally. Non-perishable M&S Food items, Fortnum and Mason specialities, Yorkshire Tea, PG Tips, Marmite, Branston pickle and British biscuits and confectionery are all regularly forwarded to Switzerland. Always verify that food products are non-perishable before ordering for international forwarding.
Technology and electronics
UK electronics pricing in GBP is competitive compared to Swiss CHF pricing for many product categories. Amazon UK, Currys, Argos and John Lewis stock the full range of consumer electronics at UK retail prices. Note that devices containing lithium batteries are classified as restricted items at Send2Hub — they can be forwarded but are not covered against loss or damage. See our guide to shipping electronics from the UK for full details.
UK Sale Events — When Swiss Shoppers Get the Best Value
UK seasonal sales represent the best opportunity for Swiss buyers to maximise the CHF/GBP price advantage. Planning your Send2Hub forwarding purchases around UK sale events — and holding orders in free storage for consolidation — delivers the greatest overall value.
Black Friday (November) — UK Black Friday discounts in fashion, electronics and homeware are often the deepest of the year — 20-50% off across major UK retailers. Pre-register your Send2Hub account so you are ready to order immediately when sales launch.
Boxing Day sales (26 December) — a uniquely British retail event with no Swiss equivalent. Major UK retailers launch their biggest post-Christmas discounts. Fashion, homeware and luxury goods are frequently discounted 30-50%.
January sales — continuing from Boxing Day through January, with restocked sale lines. Excellent for womenswear, menswear and homeware.
Back-to-school (July-August) — the best time for Swiss families to buy UK school uniform brands including M&S, George at ASDA and Next at sale prices before the September school term.
How to Forward Parcels from the UK to Switzerland
Step 1 — Register free and get your UK address
Register at send2hub.com/login — takes under two minutes. Your personalised UK delivery address at our Stoke-on-Trent warehouse is available immediately. No monthly fee on the Individual plan.
Step 2 — Shop from UK retailers using your UK address
Use your Send2Hub address at checkout with any UK retailer. The retailer delivers domestically within the UK to your Send2Hub address. If a UK retailer does not accept your Swiss payment card, our Shop & Ship service purchases on your behalf for 3% + £5.00.
Step 3 — We process every parcel on arrival
Every parcel is photographed, weighed and measured automatically on the same day it arrives. Full condition details and arrival photograph appear in your account dashboard immediately — so you can see exactly what has arrived before deciding when to ship.
Step 4 — Consolidate to save on shipping and Swiss customs fees
Consolidating multiple UK purchases into a single outbound shipment saves 40-60% on international shipping costs — and reduces the number of Swiss customs handling fees (approximately CHF 22-25 per shipment) payable. Free storage: 30 days on Individual, 45 days on Business and 60 days on Premium. Learn more on our parcel consolidation page.
Step 5 — Choose carrier and ship to Switzerland
Compare live rates across Royal Mail, Parcelforce, UPS, DHL, FedEx and DPD for your specific parcel and Swiss destination. DHL Express and FedEx deliver to Switzerland in 2-3 business days. Use our shipping calculator to compare current rates before committing.
Swiss Customs — What to Expect
Switzerland is not an EU member state and operates its own customs framework. All UK parcels entering Switzerland require customs clearance — but the process is generally straightforward for standard consumer goods.
Swiss VAT (8.1%) — applies to all imported goods based on the customs value. Reduced rate of 2.6% for food and books. VAT is collected at the border by the carrier if not collected at point of sale.
Customs handling fee (approx. CHF 22-25) — charged per shipment by the carrier for processing the customs declaration. This is separate from VAT and applies regardless of the parcel value.
UK-Switzerland Trade Agreement — qualifying UK-origin goods benefit from zero or reduced customs duty under the bilateral trade agreement in force since January 2021.
Use our customs duty estimator and Switzerland shipping page for full details on Swiss customs requirements.
Calculate Shipping to Switzerland
Frequently Asked Questions
How does parcel forwarding from the UK to Switzerland work?
Register for a free Send2Hub UK address and use it at checkout with any UK retailer. Parcels are delivered to our Stoke-on-Trent warehouse, photographed and processed on arrival. You consolidate purchases and forward to your Swiss address via your choice of six major carriers — with full customs documentation prepared by Send2Hub.
How much does it cost to forward parcels from the UK to Switzerland?
International forwarding costs depend on the weight, dimensions and carrier selected. Use our shipping calculator to estimate costs before ordering. Swiss customs VAT (8.1%) and a handling fee of approximately CHF 22-25 per shipment also apply at the Swiss border.
Is the UK-Switzerland trade agreement still in force?
Yes. The UK-Switzerland bilateral trade agreement has been in force since January 2021 and provides preferential zero or reduced customs duty on qualifying UK-origin goods entering Switzerland. It is separate from the EU-Switzerland agreements and remains fully operative.
Can I order from UK retailers that don't ship to Switzerland?
Yes. A Send2Hub UK address works at any UK retailer delivering within the UK — including Primark, Boots, Dunelm, M&S Food and hundreds of others that don't offer direct shipping to Switzerland. Your parcels arrive at our warehouse and are forwarded to your Swiss address.
How long does shipping from the UK to Switzerland take?
DHL Express and FedEx typically deliver in 2-3 business days to major Swiss cities. Economy services (Royal Mail, Parcelforce) take 5-10 business days. All times exclude Swiss customs clearance of approximately 1-2 additional business days. Use our shipping calculator to compare current options.
How much can I save by consolidating UK purchases before shipping to Switzerland?
Most customers save 40-60% on international shipping through consolidation. Additionally, consolidating multiple purchases reduces the number of Swiss customs handling fees payable — one shipment means one CHF 22-25 handling fee instead of separate fees for each individual parcel. Free storage: 30 days Individual, 45 days Business, 60 days Premium.