Switzerland Shopping Tips by Tripack Top 5 Page for this destination

Watch For Watch: Swiss made luxury

Switzerland is not only an alpine paradise but also a shopping paradise. Especially for luxury goods as watch, jewellery or Swiss chocolate ;-).

Why not to let you tempt by a Swiss made watch from a famous brand, usually there are available in the big Swiss cities but also in Alpine resorts as Zermatt, Gstaad, St-Moritz...

Do not forget to ask the tax free form to get a VAT refund when you’re leaving Switzerland (to know how to process see my other shopping tip on my VT Swiss page)

What to buy: - Swiss Watches
- Swiss Chocolates
- Swiss Knifes
- Swiss...

What to pay: $$$

Theme: Art

Website: http://www.fhs.ch/en/

Tax Free Shopping in Switzerland: Save your money...

The VAT rate in Switzerland is 7,6 % and is included in the sales price. All visitors residing outside of Switzerland are entitled to claim back the VAT, if they spend more than CHF 400 in one shop in one day. The goods must be exported within 30 days after purchase date and the export must be confirmed by an official Swiss customs stamp.

What to buy: 3 easy steps to claim your refund :

1. In the store
Shop where you see the Tax-free Shopping logo and simply ask for your Global Refund Cheque. You will receive an information leaflet with detailed explanation in different languages.

2. At customs
When leaving Switzerland, present your Global Refund Cheque to Swiss customs authorities and have the goods ready for inspection.

3. Get your refund
Hand in the blue original of your Global Refund Cheque. You have several choices to get your refund:
- Immediate cash at our nearby Cash Refund Office.
- Mail your Cheque to Global Refund. The refund will then be credited to a chosen credit card, a Swiss bank account or you will receive a bank check to your home address.

Theme: Department Store

Website: http://www.globalrefund.com

Choco Temptation Island

What to buy: Don't forget to buy your favourite Swiss chocolate as souvenir or gift. My recommended brands are Lindt or Cailler (Nestlé).

As I said 10 secondes in your mouth, then 10 years on yours hips ;-)

Theme: Food and Drink

Website: http://www.lindt.ch or www.cailler.ch

Mythic Swiss Army Knife

What to buy: I confirm that I use an army knife during my Swiss military service from this brand Victorinox. Unfortunately the Swiss army knife for soldier (me) doesn't have the corkscrew (very useful weapon if you come from Valais). This tool is only for the Swiss army knife officer (not me) ;-(.

Have a quick surf on the website to find the official sales points to avoid fake copy or abusive price.

What to pay: Of course it's depending on the model.

The basic model "Classic" with 7 functions (scissors, nailfile, key ring, tweezers, toothpick, blade, nail cleaner) is around CHF 15.-.

The model Cyber Tool XL in photo is around CHF 175.-.

Theme: Local Craft

Website: http://www.victorinox.ch/