Customs procedure for train Lugano-Milan and back
Alex, a traveler from a non-EU country, plans a day trip from Lugano to Milan and has questions about customs. Specifically, he wants to know if he needs to clear customs in Switzerland or Milan and if the same applies when returning to Lugano. The replies clarify that no customs checks are required for his train journey.
- No customs procedures are needed when traveling by train from Switzerland to Italy, but keep your travel documents handy for checkups on board.
- If you purchase goods exceeding CHF 300, you'll need to declare them upon entering Switzerland.
- Make sure to check specific travel document requirements for Italy before your trip.
AI-generated summary-
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
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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.
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.
Thank you Arno & Trainliner for the valuable info!
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.
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