Swiss General Import Permit (PGI): definition, permit types and covered products

The PGI (General Import Permit) is one of the main tools used in Switzerland to regulate the importation of certain sensitive products: agricultural goods, products subject to compulsory stockpiling, fuels and plant protection products.

It is a framework authorisation granted to professional importers, enabling them to carry out repeated import operations within a strictly regulated environment.

Definition of the PGI: the General Import Permit in Switzerland

The General Import Permit (PGI) is a permanent authorisation (as opposed to a one-time import permit) that allows its holder to import goods subject to mandatory authorisation.

The PGI is required notably for:

• agricultural products subject to the Ordinance on Agricultural Imports (OIAgr);
• products subject to compulsory stockpiling (edible oils, sugar, coffee, rice, etc.), managed by Réserve Suisse;
• fuels and liquid combustibles, managed by Carbura;
• plant protection products imported for professional or commercial use.

The PGI is therefore an instrument of:

• agricultural policy,
• security of supply (compulsory reserves),
• health protection and environmental protection (phytosanitary products, fuels).

Main legal bases of the PGI

The legal foundations of the PGI are found in several pieces of Swiss federal legislation, including:

• the Ordinance on Agricultural Imports (OIAgr), which requires an import permit (often in the form of a PGI) for certain agricultural products and tariff quotas;
• regulations governing plant protection products, which require a PGI for professional imports;
• ordinances on compulsory stockpiling (basic foodstuffs, fuels), which link importation to the Swiss compulsory reserve system;
• Swiss customs law, which distinguishes between specific import permits, general import permits (PGI) and other authorisations.

Products subject to a General Import Permit in Switzerland

Agricultural products under OIAgr

Many agricultural products may only be imported with a PGI, often in connection with tariff quotas. These include:

• certain fruits, vegetables and potatoes;
• certain processed products;
• other foodstuffs listed in the OIAgr annex.

For these products, the PGI is often inseparable from the management of tariff quotas (TQ).

Products subject to compulsory stockpiling – Réserve Suisse

For a number of essential food products, Switzerland imposes compulsory stockpiling. Importers exceeding specific quantity thresholds must hold a PGI and comply with the obligations laid down by Réserve Suisse.

Products include:

• edible oils,
• sugar,
• coffee,
• rice,
• other basic foodstuffs.

The Réserve Suisse PGI triggers obligations to:

• build compulsory reserves,
• comply with stock rotation rules,
• undergo inspections.

Fuels and liquid combustibles – Carbura

The importation of fuels and liquid combustibles into the Swiss customs territory requires a PGI issued by Carbura. Products include:

• gasoline,
• diesel,
• heating oil,
• certain special products of a similar nature.

The objective is to ensure strategic fuel reserves for the country’s security of supply.

Plant protection products subject to authorisation

Plant protection products (pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc.) imported for professional or commercial use require a PGI issued by the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG).

The holder of a phytosanitary PGI must in particular:

• comply with safety and health protection rules,
• ensure traceability of the products,
• provide safety data sheets and compliant labelling,
• comply with all regulations on environmental protection and water protection.

Who can obtain a PGI and under what conditions?

The following may obtain a PGI:

• Individuals domiciled in Switzerland;
• Legal entities and companies with their registered office in Switzerland;
• Foreign companies with a Swiss branch, subject to the applicable rules.

The conditions vary depending on the type of product:

• for agricultural products, FOAG requires a professional import activity, compliance with tariff quota rules and sufficient administrative capacity;
• for products subject to compulsory stockpiling, Réserve Suisse and Carbura additionally require the capacity to manage stocks;
• for plant protection products, the focus is on technical competence and compliance with safety rules.

Procedure for obtaining a PGI

The procedure for obtaining a General Import Permit (PGI) depends on the category of products concerned and on the competent authority (FOAG, Réserve Suisse, Carbura). In all cases, it is a structured administrative process designed to verify the importer’s ability to meet the legal, technical and logistical requirements associated with the authorised goods. While the steps vary from one sector to another, they generally follow an official process including the PGI application, review of the conditions, integration into the relevant management systems and ongoing compliance with regulatory obligations.

Agricultural products – FOAG / OIAgr

For agricultural products, the PGI is generally requested via the electronic platform for managing tariff quotas. This platform enables users to:

• request a General Import Permit,
• participate in tariff quota auctions,
• submit import applications,
• transfer quota shares.

FOAG reviews the application and issues the PGI if all requirements are met.

Products under compulsory stockpiling – Réserve Suisse

For products managed by Réserve Suisse:

• the importer creates a client account on the Réserve Suisse portal;
• they request a PGI for the relevant product categories they intend to import;
• the Réserve Suisse PGI is generally issued free of charge;
• the holder is subject to compulsory stockpiling obligations and inspections.

Fuels – Carbura

For fuels and liquid combustibles:

• the importer applies to Carbura for a PGI;
• the Carbura PGI integrates the importer into the system of compulsory petroleum reserves in Switzerland;
• obligations relating to storage, reporting and inspections apply.

Plant protection products – FOAG

For plant protection products:

• the applicant completes the official PGI application form;
• FOAG verifies the requirements (domicile, registered office, competence, regulatory compliance);
• the PGI is issued and must be updated in the event of changes (address, company name, commercial register data, etc.).

Using the PGI in customs practice

The PGI is not a customs declaration; it is a pre-authorisation. For each import:

1. The importer identifies the tariff number in Tares (the electronic customs tariff).
2. They check in Tares whether the number is subject to authorisation (PGI FOAG, Réserve Suisse, Carbura, etc.).
3. They declare the PGI when submitting the electronic customs declaration.
4. They keep documentation proving that the importation complies with the conditions attached to the PGI.

An importation without a PGI where a PGI is required may lead to:

• blocked or seized goods;
• administrative sanctions;
• possibly criminal penalties.

For companies that must manage import VAT and related reporting obligations, it may be necessary to appoint a VAT tax representative in Switzerland, particularly when import operations are frequent or involve significant volumes.

Duration, fees and obligations of PGI holders

As a general rule:

• the PGI is valid until revoked, unless expressly limited in time;
• issuance of a PGI by FOAG, Réserve Suisse or Carbura is often free of charge, although inspection or administrative fees may apply;
• the holder must:
  • maintain a record of imports;
  • comply with the authorised quantities and conditions;
  • submit to inspections by the authorities;
  • comply with any compulsory stockpiling obligations, where applicable;
  • comply with all applicable sector-specific regulations (agricultural, energy, phytosanitary).

Failure to comply with these obligations may result in:

• suspension or withdrawal of the PGI;
• fines and other sanctions.

These obligations can be managed internally or entrusted to administration services for Swiss companies, ensuring rigorous monitoring of imports, inventory and compliance controls.

PGI, specific import permits and other authorisations

Swiss customs law distinguishes between:

• specific import permits (one-off authorisations for a particular operation);
• general import permits (PGI) (framework authorisations for repeated imports);
• other licences and authorisations (including export licences).

The choice between a specific import permit and a PGI depends in particular on:

• the frequency of imports,
• the annual volume,
• the nature of the products.

To explore the tax implications related to import operations in more detail, you may also refer to our article on the effective management of import VAT in Switzerland.

Upcoming reform of the agricultural PGI

A reform of Swiss customs law and of the Ordinance on Agricultural Imports (OIAgr) plans to eliminate the PGI as the central instrument for managing agricultural tariff quotas.

This means that in the coming years:

• the agricultural PGI is likely to be replaced by other quota management mechanisms;
• import processes will have to be updated (ERP systems, internal procedures, contracts);
• importers will need to closely monitor the entry into force of the new rules.

As of today, however, the PGI remains in force for agricultural products, and importers must continue to comply with the existing framework.

✅ Practical checklist for importers

For an importer, the typical process is as follows:

1. Identify the product and its tariff number in Tares.
2. Check whether the importation is subject to a PGI (mention of an authority such as FOAG, Réserve Suisse, Carbura, etc.).
3. Determine whether a PGI is required or whether a specific, one-off permit is sufficient.
4. If necessary, submit a PGI application (FOAG platform, Réserve Suisse portal, contact with Carbura, phytosanitary application form).
5. Update internal procedures (import checklist, instructions to the forwarder, ERP configuration) with the PGI number and applicable conditions.
6. Ensure ongoing compliance with obligations: compulsory stockpiling, declarations, inspections, possible renewals.
7. Monitor legal developments (customs reform, revisions of the OIAgr) to adjust your compliance framework in good time.

How My Swiss Company SA supports importers in Switzerland

The Swiss regulatory environment surrounding the PGI (General Import Permit), agricultural quotas, compulsory stockpiling and customs procedures is evolving rapidly and requires a solid command of tax, customs and administrative law. For an importing company, compliance does not stop at obtaining the right permit: it also involves continuous oversight of obligations, close monitoring of regulatory changes and precise coordination between the authorities (FOAG, Réserve Suisse, Carbura, BAZG), the freight forwarder and in-house accounting.

This is precisely where My Swiss Company SA – Swiss fiduciary firm steps in. We help importing businesses to:

• determine the correct tariff numbers and assess whether a PGI, a specific permit or a simple customs declaration is required;
• submit official applications to FOAG, Réserve Suisse or Carbura and manage all administrative exchanges until the permit is obtained;
• design or adapt their internal procedures (ERP, customs checklists, documentation for freight forwarders) to ensure ongoing compliance;
• manage regulatory follow-up, including compulsory stockpiling obligations, periodic declarations, inspections and any necessary permit updates;
• anticipate customs reforms and OIAgr developments in order to secure their import processes over the long term.

As a specialised fiduciary, we act as a single, reliable and proactive point of contact to ensure that your company imports into Switzerland in full compliance, without the risk of customs blockage, sanctions or loss of quota rights.