How is a US or JDM vehicle registered in Switzerland?
Last verified: 2026-06-20
US and JDM vehicles are mostly based on US or Japanese standards and have no EU type approval. They therefore undergo an individual vehicle inspection under the VTS (Art. 30/30a): where no recognised approval documents are available, an identification and functional check is carried out, as well as inspection against the Swiss construction and equipment rules.
The Swiss rules in force at the time of the first entry into circulation are decisive, in particular on lighting, exhaust and noise. Adaptations are often necessary (e.g. lighting). Customs handling runs via customs clearance and the inspection report form 13.20 A; the Stammnummer is also assigned in this process.
Not every US / JDM model can be economically converted to Swiss requirements — exhaust and lighting rules are the most frequent hurdles. Prior clarification with the road traffic office is recommended.
Sources
- VTS (SR 741.41), Art. 30 / 30a – Individual vehicle inspection — Fedlex – Swiss Federal Law
- Importing vehicles into Switzerland definitively — BAZG – Federal Office for Customs and Border Security