Customs duties: all about the entry into force of surcharge

The “Customs Hammer” drawn by Trump strikes Switzerland hard. Consequently, This morning at 6:01 a.m. For example, Swiss time, the new ones customs duties Import -imported Americans have entered into force. In addition, For many exporters, this represents a notable competitive handicap, especially in the face of their European and Japanese rivals.

While watchmakers. Moreover, machine manufacturers are worried about their market share, the entrepreneurial world is counting on the latest diplomatic attempts And claims interior policy measures, prolonged partial unemployment from new free trade agreements.

Is the deadline for 6 hours valid for everyone or customs duties: all about entry are there exceptions?

An exception remains however. Nevertheless, The goods already loaded on a ship before 6 a.m. Moreover, Thursday morning. Moreover, on the way to the United States can still be imported into the current customs conditions until October 5, 2025. Nevertheless, The increased customs duties will only apply to these deliveries from this date. In addition, The sectors of chemistry and pharmacy are also an exception. For example, They have until the end of September to comply.

What are the most affected sectors? – Customs duties: all about entry

Watchmaking industry and tech. Meanwhile, The United States has been the largest market for Swiss watches for years. Nevertheless, In 2024, the branch exported for a value of approximately $ 7.6 billion to the United States, one fifth of exports. Nevertheless, She counts on the fact that American customs duties: all about entry customers will continue to trust the label Swiss madeexplains the Swiss. Meanwhile, watch industry Federation. In addition, Additional costs linked to customs duties are nevertheless problematic, especially since the vigor of the franc still increases the invoice.

Customs duties also represent a major challenge for the industry. Similarly, technology sector, according to Jean-Philippe Kohl, vice-director and chief of the economic political division of Swissmem. 39% customs duties absorb the entire profit margin. The market then simply becomes not profitable. For many companies. new customs duties would make their products simply too expensive in the face of EU or Japan international competition, an average increase of more than 20%. No one wants to bear such a long -term additional cost. “This leads to a loss of volumes of orders,” explains the expert. The EconomiSisuisse Using Economic Association evokes a “very heavy burden for customs duties: all about entry Swiss exporting companies”. Several tens of thousands of jobs would be threatened by these customs measures.

Has a wave of exports take place in recent days?

Many watch and jewelers have sent maximum goods in recent days. The tech industry could not do so “only in a very limited way”, according to Swissmem. Most products in the sector are highly specialized and are only manufactured on order. “We cannot ship stocks as it is,” adds Jean-Philippe Kohl. Exceptions exist for standardized parts, such as pens. Some companies took the opportunity to fill their stocks.

How do companies react?

For most companies, establishing a production site in the United States only for the American market is not worth it. The operation would be too expensive. Indeed, the majority customs duties: all about entry of the companies concerned are SMEs. Their activities in the United States represent 10 to 25% of their turnover. Multiple large groups already have factories in the United States. which now relocates certain stages of production to the EU to then export to the United States. Admittedly, this model reduces problems related to customs duties, but added value flies abroad. For small and medium-sized enterprises, this option is not realistic, we explain at Swissmem. They may be forced to move away from the American market.

To what extent do customs duties affect agriculture and the food industry?

After Germany. the United States is the second most important market for Swiss cheese, with the gruyèreère at the top of sales. Emmi has already had to increase the prices of Swiss cheeses in the United States in April. The manufacturer has customs duties: all about entry announced that “the new framework conditions now require a new adaptation”. It is still impossible to assess the reaction of American consumers. the extent of the repercussions, specifies the Swiss Union of Peasants. Beyond cheese, other processed products based on Swiss ingredients are affected: milk chocolate, cookies and confectionery.

What about chemical and pharmaceutical industries?

The two sectors are spared until the end of September. Waiting for, Donald Trump Their request to offer measures to lower the price of their products in the United States. He first wishes to impose a moderate customs duty, then increase it gradually. Recently, the American president spoke of the establishment of a 250% customs duty on pharmaceutical products. The objective would be to encourage manufacturers to relocate their production to the United States. This measure follows a survey by the trade department which customs duties: all about entry concludes that imports of drugs threaten the national. security of the United States.

For the pharmaceutical industry, customs duties would have serious consequences. It warns against an increase in costs. a reduction in investments, ruptures in the supply chain and the risks for the care of patients. For the Swiss economy, customs duties are a real blow. Chemicals. pharmaceuticals represent more than half of the Swiss exports to the United States, for total value exceeding 64 billion francs.

What measures do economic associations now claim?

They believe that reprisal measures, commonly known as “counter-tale”, adopted by other countries, such as the Canadaare not the solution. According to Swissmem. the Swiss market is too limited to exerting real pressure on the United States by retalling in this way. Rather, it is necessary to customs duties: all about entry take measures to lighten the charges of companies. Economic associations claim an extension of the maximum duration of compensation for partial unemployment, which would increase to twenty-four months. According to Economiesuisse, it is essential to maintain reliable relations with the EU, our main trading partner. Swissmem also asks Switzerland to sign new free trade agreements, especially with South America, and soften its climate policy. The Confederation should therefore give up a system of compensation for CO₂ emissions at the borders. like that of the EU. This system would indeed make Swiss exports to third countries much more expensive, deplores Swissmem.

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