Archive "Number of the Month"

Number of the Month - January 2012

In 2010, 397 604 downhill and cross-country skis with a value of 73 million CHF were imported by Switzerland. Thereof 39 % came from Austria; all other suppliers were far behind.


Number of the Month - December 2011

On a yearly average, Switzerland imported candles for 73 million Swiss Francs for the last five years. These amount to 17'414'000 kilo with a value of CHF 4.20 per kilo. Most of the candles are imported during October. Main supplier is Germany (43%) followed by China (14%) and the Netherlands (7%).


Number of the Month - November 2011

From January to September 2011 Swiss exports to China increased by 32% and confirmed the increasing importance of these trade relations significantly. With these numbers China becomes one of the five most important trading partners of Switzerland with a trade volume of CHF 6.4 bn. However, China is still far away from the top four traiding partners (Germany, CHF 44.2 bn; USA, CHF 14.6 bn; Italy, CHF 11.9 bn; France, 10.8 bn).


Number of the Month - October 2011

Because of several free trade agreements, Switzerland lost about CHF 2’372 millions on tariff revenues in 2010. Thereof mainly imported products from EU countries benefited. In 2010 their fraction of tariff shortfalls was nearly 90% and amounted for CHF 2’071 millions.


Number of the Month - September 2011

From January to July 2011, Switzerland imported 24'574 and exported 21'154 bicycles and scooters. Since 2009 imports increased with a rate of approximately 38% per half a year and the exports with about 32%. The average price per unit of imported products was CHF 1'158 and thereby significantly below the average price per unit of the exported products (CHF 2'164). China, Germany and Taiwan were the sources of our imports whereas Germany, the Netherlands and Austria were the main recipients of our exported products.


Number of the Month - August 2011

Since 2009 imports of ice cream excess 9000 tons a year. That equals 1,15 kg per Swiss inhabitant. The ice cream is mainly imported between March and July and sums up to more than 1000 ton per month. Of these imports, roughly 40% are coming from Germany (figure from 2010).


Number of the Month - July 2011

In 2010 transit traffic across Switzerland added up to 44 141 000 000 kg. All these goods are not delivered to Switzerland. They are just transported through the country because of logistical reasons. Of these goods 64% were transported by train, 21% by lorry and 15% through a pipeline.


Number of the Month - June 2011

Last year (2010) Switzerland imported 4’160’941 pairs of sunglasses. About 40% of the imports were from China, followed by Germany (19%), Italy (13%) and France (9%). The most expensive sunglasses were imported from France and Italy and cost at the Swiss boarder CHF 55.- on average. The cheapest product was from China and cost CHF 2.50; 22 times less than the luxury sunglasses.


Number of the Month - May 2011

Between January and March 2011 Switzerland exported 106 803 watches with a case made of noble metal or a noble metal plating - this amount is the equivalent of 1.6% of all exported watches. The average value of such a watch amounts to 11'863 Swiss Francs. About a quarter of these watches were exported to Hongkong; the exports to the US and China added up to about 10% each.


Source: Eidgenössische Zollverwaltung EZV / Federal Customs Administration FCA