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Selling alcoholic drinks in Switzerland

In Switzerland, beer, wine and cider are foodstuffs under the Foodstuffs Act, while distilled spirits also fall under the Alcohol Act (AlkG). The FOCBS (BAZG) collects spirits tax, at CHF 29 per litre of pure alcohol, and beer tax; wine is not taxed. Fermented drinks may not go to under-16s, spirits not to under-18s.

Updated · Each section links to the official source it comes from

Food law
FDHA Ordinance on Beverages and the LIV
Spirits
Alcohol Act (AlkG), enforced by the FOCBS
Spirits tax
CHF 29 per litre of pure alcohol
Beer tax
By original gravity in degrees Plato; wine is not taxed
Minimum age
16 for beer, wine and cider; 18 for spirits
Import authorisation
Not required for spirits

Before a product goes on sale

The questions to answer, in the order they usually come up.

  1. 1Is it beer, wine, cider or a spirit, and which rules follow from that? Read more
  2. 2Does the label show the alcohol content and the LIV particulars in the right place? Read more
  3. 3Which tax applies, and who pays it at import? Read more
  4. 4Who may it be sold to, and does the retailer need a cantonal licence? Read more
  5. 5Does the advertising stay within the limits for young people and for spirits? Read more

The rules, by area

What each area covers, the texts that set it, and what the official pages say.

Categories and definitions

Which law covers which drink.

  • A drink with more than 0.5% alcohol by volume is an alcoholic beverage (FDHA Ordinance on Beverages, Article 61).
  • The FDHA Ordinance on Beverages defines beer, wine, cider, spirits and other categories; spirits have at least 15% alcohol by volume (Article 108).
  • Fermented products of up to 15% alcohol by volume, or 18% for natural wine, fall outside the Alcohol Act (AlkG Article 2).
  • The FOCBS says natural wine of up to 18% and beer are subject to the Foodstuffs Act rather than the Alcohol Act; the FOAG deals with wine, cider and perry, and the FOCBS with beer.

How we help: Compliant Always reads your product specifications against the category definitions and shows which set of rules follows. Ask about this

Labelling

What an alcoholic drink's label carries.

  • Drinks with more than 1.2% alcohol by volume show their alcohol content, in the same field of vision as the name (LIV Articles 3 and 4).
  • Drinks with more than 1.2% alcohol by volume are exempt from the nutrition declaration (LIV Annex 9).
  • Drinks with more than 1.2% alcohol by volume may carry only claims about a low or reduced alcohol or energy content (LIV Article 30).
  • Wine labels carry the name and the name and address of the producer, bottler, importer or seller, in the same field of vision; sparkling wine states its sweetness, such as «brut» for under 15 g of sugar per litre (FDHA Ordinance on Beverages, Article 75).
  • The particulars are in at least one official language of the Confederation (LGV Article 36).

How we help: Compliant Always reads your label artwork against these particulars and shows what is missing or out of place. Ask about this

Spirits tax and beer tax

What is taxed, at what rate, and who pays at import.

  • Spirits tax is CHF 29 per litre of pure alcohol (AlkV Article 21), the same for domestic and imported spirits (AlkG Article 28).
  • The FOCBS says the spirits tax is paid on imports of alcohol and alcohol-containing products of more than 1.2% by volume; products of no more than 1.2% are not taxed.
  • Sweet spirit mixes under 15% alcohol with at least 50 g of sugar per litre pay a tax 300% higher (AlkG Article 23bis).
  • Beer tax is assessed on original gravity in degrees Plato; small independent breweries producing under 55,000 hectolitres a year pay reduced rates (FOCBS, Beer Tax Act, SR 641.411).
  • Wine is not taxed, and no import authorisation is needed for spirits (FOCBS).

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the alcohol strength, gravity and tax documents with each product and shipment. Ask about this

Sale and minimum age

Who may be sold alcohol, where and by whom.

  • Beer, wine and cider may not be sold or given to persons under 16 (LMG Article 14); spirits may not be sold to persons under 18 (AlkG Article 41).
  • Alcoholic drinks are offered so they are clearly distinguishable from soft drinks, and a sign at the point of sale states the minimum age (LGV Article 42).
  • Retail sale of spirits within a canton needs a cantonal licence, one for each outlet (AlkG Article 41a).
  • The FOCBS notes that cantons and outlets may be stricter; in Ticino, for example, no alcoholic drinks are sold to persons under 18.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the licences and point-of-sale material with the record, and shows when a licence is due for renewal. Ask about this

Advertising

Limits on marketing alcoholic drinks.

  • Advertising for alcoholic drinks aimed at young people under 18 is prohibited, including at places and events mainly visited by them and on items mainly used by them (LGV Article 43).
  • Spirits advertising may only refer to the product and its properties; price comparisons and promises of gifts are prohibited (AlkG Article 42b).
  • Spirits may not be advertised on radio or television, on public transport, at sports grounds and events, or at events mainly for children and young people (AlkG Article 42b).

How we help: Compliant Always reads your labels and marketing copy against these limits and shows which statements need a second look. Ask about this

Who answers for what

WhoWhat they answer forHow we help
BrandThe drink sold under its name, its label and its advertising.Labels and marketing read against the LIV, LGV and AlkG in one place.
ProducerMaking the drink, and paying spirits or beer tax on what it produces.Strength, gravity and tax documents kept with each batch.
ImporterDrinks brought into Switzerland, and the tax due at the border.Suppliers' documents read and dated before the goods arrive.
RetailerMinimum ages, the point-of-sale sign and, for spirits, a cantonal licence.Licences kept dated, and questionnaires answered from the record.

Cantons

Federal acts and ordinances set the rules. Inside Switzerland the cantons enforce food and utility-article law, each through a cantonal chemist who heads the cantonal enforcement authority; the Confederation enforces at import, export and transit (Foodstuffs Act, Articles 38, 47 and 49).

Labels must be in at least one official language: German, French or Italian. Some rules ask for the language of the place of sale, which differs between cantons.

Questions businesses ask

How is alcohol taxed in Switzerland?
Spirits pay spirits tax of CHF 29 per litre of pure alcohol, and beer pays beer tax by original gravity. Wine is not taxed. Products of no more than 1.2% alcohol are not taxed (FOCBS; AlkV Article 21).
Who collects alcohol tax?
The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS, BAZG). Its Alcohol Sector handles spirits tax.
Do I need an import licence for spirits?
No. The FOCBS says no import authorisation is needed. Spirits tax, VAT and any customs duty are paid at import.
What is the minimum age to buy alcohol?
16 for beer, wine and cider, and 18 for spirits and mixed drinks containing them (LMG Article 14; AlkG Article 41). Cantons and outlets may be stricter.
Does a shop need a licence to sell spirits?
Yes. Retail sale of spirits within a canton needs a cantonal licence, one for each outlet (AlkG Article 41a).
Does an alcoholic drink need a nutrition declaration?
No, if it has more than 1.2% alcohol by volume (LIV Annex 9). It does show its alcohol content (LIV Article 3).
Can alcoholic drinks carry health claims?
No. Drinks with more than 1.2% alcohol may carry only claims about a low or reduced alcohol or energy content (LIV Article 30).
Where can spirits not be advertised?
On radio and television, on public transport, at sports grounds and events, at events mainly for young people, and on packs or articles unrelated to spirits, among others (AlkG Article 42b).
Are sweet alcoholic mixes taxed differently?
Yes. Spirit mixes under 15% alcohol with at least 50 g of sugar per litre pay a tax 300% higher (AlkG Article 23bis).
Do small breweries pay less beer tax?
Yes. Economically independent breweries producing under 55,000 hectolitres a year pay reduced rates, up to 40% lower, according to the FOCBS.
How does Compliant Always help with selling in Switzerland?
Our team reads the rules for the markets you sell in. Compliant Always shows which apply to your product, keeps the documents behind each one ready, and watches the sources for changes. It shows what the requirements say and what your documents show; you decide.

Sources

Compliant Always is a product of Lettuce Labs LLC. It shows what requirements say and what your documents show. It is not legal advice, and you decide.

Tell us what you make, and we will show you the rules for it.

Name the product and the markets you sell in. We will come back to you with what applies in Switzerland and what your paperwork needs to show.

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