Mary

We will be doing the wine route in France this summer. We would like to pick up some wine. Is there any problem taking wine from France into Switzerland? Or from Germany to France? Are there any border issues?
Thanks.

mj

Swiss customs could charge you .60sfr/liter over the 2 liters/person limit for non-Swiss wines. There also may be a VAT charge... if they catch you

AFAIK, EU countries have dropped all their duties so FR <-> DE won't be a problem.

Gail

2 years ago in June, 4 of us had 16 bottles of french wine in our luggage. We too were worried about taking wine over the border but decided the risk was worth it. They could either fine us or take the wine. The Swiss border agents never asked a question about any purchases we had. Same with Switzerland into Italy.

mpprh

Hi

You can transport as much wine as you like within EU provided it is tax paid and for personal use. Buying in bulk (i.e. not bottled), you should carry an invoice. In practise, personal use is interpreted on the high side. It is unlikely you could carry it, unless you had a lorry.

Switzerland is not part of the EU and there are strict limits. In my experience the Swiss customs are not interested in tourists, but returning Swiss citizens are often stopped.

Peter

Florence

You can enter Switzerland with up to 2 liters (approx 3 70cl bottles) of beverages up to 15 ° alcool content (wine, beer) or 1 liter of more than 15° (whisky, spirits), per person over 18 years old.

If you have more than that, just tell the guards at the border. The tax for wine is negligible and well worth your tranquility.

On the other hand, why not buy Swiss wines instead ? ;-)

gar

in all EU countrys You can take as much a You need for "Your personall belongings". If You are on a transit trough CH and the costumers are asking You tell them how much You have and that You a on transit. Nothing to pay for.

Nancy

Dear Florence,

Can you recommend any good dry white wines from Switzerland - I'm going mid June.

Thanks,

Nancy

Florence

Nancy,

Any white from the area North of Lake Leman (never say Lake Geneva there), the canton Vaud, especially La Côte and Lavaux. If you can, go by car to villages on the "route du vin", between Nyon and Lausanne, and indulge in wine tasting in "Cave communale", or at the wineries advertising "dégustation" (= tasting). Many villages will have special tasting events on Sundays on the main plaza, a great occasion to try their wine and meet the locals. My favorites include Luins (Aile Blanche), Vinzel (Pinot gris), and Bursins. Beautiful area too, with a glorious view over the lake and the Alps. One of the local food speciality is "Malakof", a cheese paste on bread, fried and served with a salad. Drink the local white with it.

Then you have the whole of Lavaux, above Montreux (Féchy, Lavaux, ...).

In general, Swiss white wines from that area are better rated than French whites. Even the French admit it, albeit reluctantly ;-)