The Local Switzerland

Ten unspoken rules for fitting in with the Swiss

Tue, 24 May 2016 14:45:11 +0200

If you're new to Switzerland and don’t know how people tick, social situations can be a bit of a minefield. Luckily The Local is here to help you navigate your way safely.

What you need to know about Switzerland’s Unspunnen, the world's largest traditional festival

Wed, 09 Aug 2017 13:53:03 +0200

This celebration of Swiss rural culture will take over Interlaken from August 26th to September 3rd.

Tasers and ninja weapons seized by Swiss customs

Wed, 20 Apr 2016 15:16:07 +0200

The number of illegal weapons confiscated by Swiss customs officers has doubled in the past five years.

Electric razor causes Basel border point evacuation

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 12:00:35 +0200

A suspect suitcase that caused a border crossing between Switzerland and Germany to be evacuated on Wednesday turned out to contain an electric shaver that had turned itself on in the bag.

Rare wild goat trophies seized at Basel border

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 22:26:35 +0100

Swiss Customs said on Wednesday that they have seized two hunter trophies of protected wild goats found in a car checked at the Basel border crossing.

Long delays build up at borders with France

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 11:26:55 +0100

Travellers crossing the border between France and Switzerland are being warned to expect delays this morning after border controls were tightened following the terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday.

Swiss residents quaff less domestic wine

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 12:41:16 +0200

Swiss residents are drinking less wine, particularly home grown vintages, according to the latest government figures which indicate historic lows in per capita consumption.

Snake smugglers caught by Swiss border guards

Fri, 24 Oct 2014 14:29:05 +0200

Swiss border guards discovered four snakes during the course of two separate controls this week, federal customs authorities said on Friday.

Customs fine man €15,000 for car mistake

Fri, 06 Jun 2014 12:46:00 +0200

A German pensioner was fined €15,000 for driving a Swiss car across the border into Austria, breaking a little-known EU law. An Austrian court has now ruled he cannot get his money back.

Geneva storage firm touts ‘largest wine cellar’

Wed, 21 May 2014 14:36:00 +0200

The Guinness Book of Records may not have yet taken note of the fact, but Geneva claims to be home to the largest wine cellar in the world — housing a collection of three million bottles.

Bern backs away from duty-free wine proposal

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 00:33:00 +0200

The federal government has backed off a proposal that would have allowed cross-border shoppers to bring up to 20 litres of duty-free wine a day into Switzerland, ten times the current rate.

Brit held at Ticino border after dog sniffs coke

Tue, 11 Mar 2014 22:40:00 +0100

A 45-year-old Briton remains in detention after being caught in the Swiss canton of Ticino at the Italian border with 5.1 kilograms of cocaine and €1,000 in cash, Italian authorities said on Tuesday.

Italians nab senior with 200,000 francs at border

Tue, 10 Dec 2013 21:55:00 +0100

An 88-year-old Swiss man was caught near the Italian border trying to smuggle 200,000 francs ($225,000) in cash into Italy, customs from Italy said.

Apps aim to ease Swiss customs duty calculation

Fri, 09 Aug 2013 11:11:00 +0200

Travellers returning to Switzerland laden with goods purchased abroad may be in for a nasty shock when they pass Customs.

Basel border guards nab meat smugglers

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:58:00 +0100

Border guards in Basel arrested two men attempting to smuggle more than 300 kilograms of non-refrigerated meat into Switzerland in a van from Germany, Swiss customs administration officials said on Tuesday.

Customs seize tear gas in lipsticks and lighters

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:32:00 +0100

Nearly 500 canisters of illegal tear gas made in China and hidden inside innocent-looking lighters and lipsticks have been seized by Swiss customs, authorities said Wednesday.

German cook fined €300 in spud gun seizure

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:16:00 +0200

A 29-year-old German cook was fined €300 and had his potato cannon confiscated after customs officers searched his car as he crossed the border from Switzerland.

Basel smuggler strapped baby croc to thigh

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:23:54 +0200

When customs officials in Basel examined the trousers of a passing motorist recently, they were surprised to find a baby caiman crocodile taped to his thigh.

Frenchmen's stun guns and masks fall foul of Swiss

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:38:00 +0100

Swiss border guards on Thursday showed off an "exceptional seizure" of 42 disguised stun guns brought into the country by French men carrying teen horror movie "Scream" face masks.