Customs, duties, MwST etc.

From Swisswiki

Are you having something sent from home? Or did you buy something on-line and you're having it shipped to Switzerland?

With Switzerland not being a member of the EU, all incoming goods, packages etc. are subject to customs processing. The rules are undoubtedly quite clear, but how they are applied and the actual costs is not quite so clear.

Mehrwertsteuer / MwST

The Swiss Mehrwertsteuer (VAT) is typically 7.6%, although some areas such as food and medicines are only subject to 2.4%. There is even a separate rate of 3.6% for a night at a hotel including breakfast. See Umsatzsteuer_(Schweiz)