Tax-Free Car Import for Ambassadors in Geneva: A Comprehensive Guide

How to Import Your Car Tax-Free to Geneva: The Definitive Guide for Diplomats (CD/AT)
For ambassadors and diplomatic staff stationed in Geneva, the privilege of importing a vehicle tax-free is one of the most significant financial benefits of your posting. It allows you to bypass the standard Swiss VAT (8.1%) and customs duties, which can save you thousands of francs.

However, the "Green Plate" (CD) process is bureaucratic and unforgiving. A single missing document at the Douane (Customs) or OCPM can delay your vehicle’s release by weeks.

This guide outlines the exact steps to secure your diplomatic plates and how to navigate the insurance requirements that come before registration.

1. Eligibility: Who Actually Qualifies?
Not every international employee is eligible for the full tax-free franchise. The privilege is generally tied to the holder of a Carte de Légitimation (Type B, C, D, or E).

Heads of Mission (Carte B/C): typically enjoy the broadest privileges.

"Département fédéral des affaires étrangères (DFAE) / SEM". 

Diplomatic Staff (Carte D): Eligible for tax-free import for personal use.
Administrative & Technical Staff (Carte E): Privileges may depend on reciprocity agreements with your home country.
Crucial Rule: generally, you must apply for your import franchise within 3 years of taking up your post. If you wait longer, you may lose the right to tax-free importation.

2. The Necessary Documentation
Before you approach the Swiss Customs Administration, you must prepare a specific dossier. Do not show up with just your ID. You will need:

Form 15.30: This is the official "Request for duty-free admission" for diplomatic goods. It must often be countersigned by your Mission or Organization.
Form 13.20A: The customs clearance form for motor vehicles (for new imports).
Proof of Status: A copy of your valid Carte de Légitimation.
Vehicle Documents: The foreign registration certificate and purchase invoice.
3. The Critical Step: Insurance & The 'Attestation'
This is where most diplomats get stuck.

You cannot register your vehicle at the Office Cantonal des Véhicules (OCPM) without valid Swiss insurance. However, standard insurers often fail to issue the correct certificate for CD (Corps Diplomatique) or AT (Administrative & Technical) status.

To finalize your registration, you need an Electronic Insurance Certificate (Attestation d'assurance) sent directly to the OCPM database.

The Requirement: Your policy must cover Third-Party Liability (RC) at a minimum.
The Recommendation: For imported vehicles, we strongly advise Full Casco (Comprehensive) coverage, as repairs in Switzerland are costly.
At NouveauEnSuisse, we specialize in issuing these certificates instantly for diplomatic personnel, ensuring your registration is not rejected.

4. The Registration Process (Step-by-Step)
Customs Clearance: Submit Form 15.30 and your documents to the Customs office. Once approved, they will stamp your Form 13.20A. This "unlocks" the car for Swiss roads.
Technical Inspection: If the car is used or from outside the EU, it may need to pass a safety inspection (Expertise) at the vehicle testing center.
Final Registration: Visit the OCPM with your stamped Customs forms and your Insurance Attestation.
Plate Collection: You will surrender your foreign plates and receive your new Geneva diplomatic plates (Blue/Green with "CD" or "AT" suffix).
5. Maintaining Compliance (The Trap)
Owning a tax-free vehicle comes with restrictions. You cannot sell the car to a non-privileged person (e.g., a Swiss neighbor) without first paying the VAT and customs duties you originally avoided.

Resale Warning: If you sell the car within a certain period (usually 3-5 years), you must declare it to Customs.
Traffic Laws: While "Immunity" exists, it is not absolute. Serious traffic violations can lead to the revocation of your diplomatic driving privileges so beware when driving.

 
Need to Register Your Vehicle?
Don't let paperwork delay your mobility. We issue the required OCPM Insurance Attestations for Diplomatic (CD) and Administrative (AT) plates within hours.

Get help for your vehicule : Contact us.