ASENDIA: “Swiss e-commerce market ripe for Britain’s international retailers”
Asendia, the joint venture between La Poste and Swiss Post, has published a new whitepaper, The secrets of e-commerce success in Switzerland, which aims to give cross-border retailers a toolkit they can use to expand their e-commerce business in Switzerland. According to Asendia, 61% of Swiss online shoppers (3.1m people) spend £2.4b annually in cross-border purchases and the country ranks second in Europe – after the UK – for the amount consumers spend online each year (£1,956 per capita).
However, added Asendia, Switzerland’s multi-lingual population (German, French, and Italian speaking), non-EU customs and taxes, and payment preferences can make it a “daunting” country for e-commerce expansion. So, Asendia has produced this guide and an accompanying practical eBiook which together provide “insights on the market itself, consumer behaviour, delivery trends, and practical advice”.
Asendia’s recommendations include:
- Make sure all paperwork is complete and accurate so goods are cleared quickly with the Swiss Customs Administration (facilitated by Swiss Post). Be aware that custom duties are charged depending on the weight, which is unusual compared to other countries
- Choose a customs clearance option that fits your business’ needs. The Postal Clearance requires minimum integration and upfront investment, ideal for small businesses. While the Commercial Clearance delivery duty paid option guarantees that there will be no additional costs for shoppers on delivery and enables bulk clearance for large volumes.
- Bear in mind that it is common practice to offer prices in CHF and to be locally registered, as this will increase trust with consumers.
- Do not forget that electronic goods require a Swiss approval mark and a manual in German, French, and Italian
- Build your customer base by using a reliable delivery provider – and Asendia said that as Swiss Post’s international operation, it is well positioned to “offer all postal and parcel solutions of the national service”.
The secrets of e-commerce success in Switzerland whitepaper and A guide to exporting to Switzerland for online retailers eBook are now available to download.
https://info.asendia.co.uk/ecommerce-success-in-switzerland-white-paper/
https://info.asendia.co.uk/online-retail-success-in-switzerland/
