Key facts for Switzerland
Christmas is the main business gifting occasion; advent calendars are well known, especially in German-speaking regions.
How companies in Switzerland give year-end gifts
Swiss companies give year-end gifts mainly in December, with deliveries in the first half of the month. Expectations on quality are high: recipients are used to premium local chocolate, so imported chocolate gifts should be positioned on design, branding and packaging rather than on the chocolate alone. Advent calendars are well established in German-speaking cantons and increasingly common elsewhere. Card language should match the recipient's language region: German, French or Italian; for national clients, bilingual or trilingual cards are common. Many Swiss companies, banks and pharmaceutical firms apply strict internal compliance rules, and public-sector employees are subject to gift restrictions, so modest, clearly branded gifts are the norm. Plan for customs clearance, because Switzerland is outside the EU customs union.
Gift occasions in Switzerland
Samichlaus / Saint Nicholas
chocolate and small treats are common, particularly in German-speaking Switzerland
Christmas
main occasion for gifts to clients and employees
New Year
New Year greetings are customary, especially in French-speaking Switzerland
Good practice
- Match the card language to the recipient's region (German, French or Italian)
- Allow extra time for Swiss customs clearance
- Focus on design and personalization rather than the product category alone
- Check recipients' compliance policies, especially in banking and pharma
Avoid
- Do not underestimate customs paperwork for food items
- Avoid expensive gifts to public officials
Design and wording
Christmas themes are appropriate; neutral 'Season's Greetings' designs suit international teams.
Gift policies
Swiss criminal law penalizes bribery of public officials and private-sector bribery (Swiss Criminal Code, articles 322ter ff.); only socially customary small advantages are tolerated.
Delivery to Switzerland
Switzerland is outside the EU customs union: shipments need a customs declaration, and Swiss import VAT (and duties on some food products) is charged on import. Duties and import VAT can be quoted in advance.
Planning dates for Switzerland
| Order personalized stock advent calendars by | 13 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|
| Order Christmas hampers by | 24 Nov 2026 |
| Fully custom calendars for 2027 — order between | 01.2027 – 08.2027 |
Indicative planning dates; exact dates are confirmed in your proposal.
Recommended formats for Switzerland
Chocolate advent calendars
Twenty-four chocolates and your brand on the front from 1 to 24 December.
Tea & coffee calendars
A tea or coffee advent calendar with your logo is a measured, practical gift for clients and colleagues who prefer to avoid sweets.
Beauty calendars
A beauty advent calendar is a premium December gift.
Plush & merch calendars
A merchandise advent calendar distributes your branded items across 24 doors: socks, pins, stickers, small plush and treats, each carrying your logo.
Empty calendar boxes
For companies that already have the filling: custom printed advent calendar boxes in bulk, designed around your products and delivered flat or…
Christmas hampers
Corporate Christmas hampers with your logo on the box, ribbon or card, composed to your budget band and delivered to one office or to individual home…
Frequently asked questions
Do we need to pay customs on corporate gifts sent to Switzerland?
Yes, shipments from Poland are cleared through Swiss customs. Import VAT applies, and some food products may carry duties. These costs can be quoted in advance.
Which language should we use for Christmas cards in Switzerland?
Use the recipient's language: German, French or Italian. For nationwide clients, bilingual or trilingual cards are common.