VAT on Silver in Switzerland
Silver bars and coins carry the standard 8.1% VAT. Silver jewellery and silverware carry the standard 8.1% VAT. Today 10 grams of fine silver cost CHF 13.02 at the world price and about CHF 14.08 with tax and duty.
Rules checked 26 October 2026 · Prices Oct 30, 2026, 21:55 UTC · Not tax advice
Silver in Switzerland today, with tax
CHF · Oct 30, 2026, 21:55 UTC| Weight | World price, fine silver | Bar, with tax and duty | Sterling (925) jewellery metal, with tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 gram | CHF 1.30 | CHF 1.41 | CHF 1.30 |
| 1 ounce | CHF 40.50 | CHF 43.78 | CHF 40.49 |
| 100 grams | CHF 130.20 | CHF 140.75 | CHF 130.19 |
| 500 grams | CHF 651.02 | CHF 703.75 | CHF 650.97 |
| 1 kilo | CHF 1,302 | CHF 1,408 | CHF 1,302 |
The rules in Switzerland
| What you buy | Tax | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Bars | 8.1% | Silver bars and coins carry the standard 8.1% VAT. The Swiss VAT exemption for precious metals covers gold only. Silver bought and kept in a Swiss free port or customs-free warehouse (Zollfreilager) is sold without VAT; VAT is due when it is taken out into Switzerland, and import VAT is due in the country it is delivered to (for example 19% in Germany). VAT is 7.5% of the VAT-inclusive price. |
| Coins | 8.1% | Silver coins carry 8.1% VAT, like bars. Dealers sell 'VAT-free' silver coins that stay in Swiss free-port storage. |
| Jewellery | 8.1% | Silver jewellery and silverware carry the standard 8.1% VAT. Charged on: full value. |
| Import duty | 0% | No import duty is built into local bullion prices; Switzerland is a major refining and vaulting centre. |
| Tourist refund | Yes | Visitors can buy tax-free when they export the goods: minimum CHF 300 including VAT per sales transaction, with an export stamp from Swiss customs during clearance hours at a staffed crossing. VAT is 7.5% of the price, less operator fees. On 2 June 2026 the National Council backed a motion to cut the minimum to CHF 150; it still needs the Council of States. |
Compared with nearby countries
VAT on Silver in Switzerland: FAQ
Is there VAT on silver in Switzerland?
Silver bars and coins carry the standard 8.1% VAT. Silver jewellery and silverware carry the standard 8.1% VAT.
Do you pay VAT on silver bars and coins in Switzerland?
Silver bars and coins carry the standard 8.1% VAT. The Swiss VAT exemption for precious metals covers gold only. Silver bought and kept in a Swiss free port or customs-free warehouse (Zollfreilager) is sold without VAT; VAT is due when it is taken out into Switzerland, and import VAT is due in the country it is delivered to (for example 19% in Germany). VAT is 7.5% of the VAT-inclusive price. Silver coins carry 8.1% VAT, like bars. Dealers sell 'VAT-free' silver coins that stay in Swiss free-port storage.
Is there import duty on silver in Switzerland?
No import duty is built into local bullion prices; Switzerland is a major refining and vaulting centre.
Can tourists claim back the VAT on silver in Switzerland?
Yes. Visitors can buy tax-free when they export the goods: minimum CHF 300 including VAT per sales transaction, with an export stamp from Swiss customs during clearance hours at a staffed crossing. VAT is 7.5% of the price, less operator fees. On 2 June 2026 the National Council backed a motion to cut the minimum to CHF 150; it still needs the Council of States.
Sources (6)
- GoldAvenue: pièces d'argent sans TVA (stored in Swiss free ports; VAT 8.1% to 20% by country) (accessed 2026-10-26)
- Kettner Edelmetalle: silver, platinum and palladium VAT-free in a Zollfreilager (19% on import into Germany) (accessed 2026-10-26)
- BullionByPost: cheapest way to buy silver (20% VAT, margin-scheme second-hand silver, VAT-free Britannias stored in Switzerland) (undated; accessed 2026-10-26)
- FOCBS (BAZG): refunds of Swiss VAT, private persons (CHF 300 minimum) (accessed 2026-10-26)
- blue News: National Council backs cutting tax-free shopping minimum to CHF 150 (2026-06-02)
- Swiss VAT Ordinance art. 44: exemption limited to investment gold (not opened this session; cited in the silverprice country notes (reviewed Oct 2026))
Related
General information on the tax a private buyer pays, checked 26 October 2026. Rules change; check with the seller, the tax authority or an adviser. Not tax advice.