It seems we’re addicted to cheap goods from China.
Around half a million packages from Asia arrive in the country every day. Most of the goods are from the Chinese online stores of Temu and Shein.
It seems the retailers have learnt how Swiss customs works. Goods worth less than 62 francs are exempt from VAT – so many orders are sent in small packages.
The amount of stuff arriving everyday was leaked to the Blick newspaper from a senior source at Zurich airport.
Official government figures show that in 2022, 25 tonnes of goods arrived from China every day – more recent numbers aren’t available.
The amount of trade is angering local traders. The Swiss Retail Federation filed a complaint against Temu in May.
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