Customs procedure for train Lugano-Milan and back

  • Alexemail88
    Participant
    16 posts
    18 September 2022 at 11:57:46 #828367

    Hi hi,

    I am a foreigner from non EU countries. I want to do a day trip from Lugano to Milan.

    There is direct train service from Lagano to Milan. However. I have 2 questions:

    1. Do i need to clear custom at switzerland before heading to Milan?

    2. Do i need to clear custom at Milan upon reaching Milan station?

    3. when i am headimg back to Lugano in the evening, do i need to go through points 1 & 2 too?

    Thanks for your help!

    alex

  • Arno
    Moderator
    15484 posts
    18 September 2022 at 13:26:09 #947019

    Hi Alex,

    No, there’s no customs procedure when you’re on the train between Switzerland and Italy. Your travel documents (such as your passport) and of course your train ticket/rail pass can be checked while you’re on board, but that’s all.

    More about the trip to Italy, and the tickets you might need, can be found here: https://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/italy.

    More about travel documents for Switzerland is available here: https://www.myswissalps.com/visa. I’m not sure which travel documents are required for Italy; you’d best check that yourself.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    19 September 2022 at 11:01:56 #947020

    Immigration and customs is not the same.

    If you bought goods that ecxeed the value of CHF 300 you have to declare them; also, you must observe the free limits for imported goods.

    Switzerland is not part of the EU customs union but part of Schengen. Customs officers will be on bord of the trains.

    Alexemail88
    Participant
    16 posts
    19 September 2022 at 11:41:52 #947021

    Thank you Arno & Trainliner for the valuable info!

    Arno
    Moderator
    15484 posts
    19 September 2022 at 11:45:46 #947022

    That’s true Trainliner, thanks! The original thread title mentioned ”immigration checkpoint”, so I assumed the question mainly concerned travel documents. But purchased goods can be meant too.

    Links to the relevant websites concerning import, export, VAT refund and more are listed at http://www.myswissalps.com/aboutswitzerland/practical/websites.

  • The thread ‘Customs procedure for train Lugano-Milan and back’ is closed to new replies.

About MySwissAlps

We’re passionate tourists and locals. We share tips about how to plan a trip to Switzerland. MySwissAlps was founded in 2002.

Get a free account for a worry-free trip

  • Join our 11130 members and ask us questions in the forum
  • Access to member-only promotions
  • Detailed maps and weather forecasts

Planning your first Switzerland adventure?

Get a jump-start with Annika’s 20-minute e-mail course, “Switzerland for beginners”. Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock the course.