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CO₂ rules

CO2 emission rules for imported cars

When an imported car falls under the Swiss CO2 emission regulations and how a possible sanction is calculated.

Switzerland applies CO2 emission regulations to new passenger cars that are registered for the first time. Private importers are also affected.

When a car is in scope

  • Never registered before: in scope.
  • First registered abroad up to 6 months before Swiss registration: in scope.
  • First registered 6 to 12 months before, with less than 5,000 km: in scope.
  • First registered more than 12 months before: out of scope.

The sanction

If the car's CO2 emissions are above its individual target value, a sanction is due: CHF 95 per gram of excess per km (2025–2026 values of the CO2 Ordinance, SR 641.711). The target depends on the vehicle mass. Electric cars have 0 g/km and do not exceed the target.

How Import Pilot uses this

The calculator checks the scope from the first-registration date and mileage and computes the sanction with the published parameters. Years without published values are shown as unresolved.

Official sources

Last reviewed by our team: initial version. Decision support only – the competent authorities decide.