Ordering Perfume from Germany to Austria or Switzerland

Same Shop, Two Very Different Bills

German online shops often carry the widest selection and sometimes lower prices than a shop in your own country. Whether that is actually worth it depends heavily on where the order is delivered. Sending it to Austria works completely differently from sending it to Switzerland, even though both countries border Germany.

To Austria: Same Market, No Customs

Germany and Austria are both EU members and part of the same single market. Ordering from a German shop to Austria is therefore treated like a domestic order as far as customs and import tax are concerned: no import VAT and no customs duty apply, unlike an order from outside the EU. The listed price is already very close to the real total, with shipping being essentially the only thing added on top.

That does not automatically mean every German shop is cheaper, though. VAT rates, shipping costs, and available vouchers still differ from shop to shop, and all of that belongs in a fair comparison.

To Switzerland: Outside the EU, Its Own Rules

Switzerland is not an EU member and forms its own customs territory. An order from a German shop to Switzerland is therefore treated as an import from abroad: Swiss VAT is charged on the value of the goods and the shipping cost. Perfume itself is not subject to customs duty, but the VAT is a real, noticeable cost that an order to Austria simply does not have.

Small amounts are exempt: if the calculated tax falls under a certain minimum threshold, it is not collected at all. For most perfume orders with a meaningful order value, though, that threshold does not apply, and the tax is charged as normal.

A Real Example for Your Country

The difference is clearest with an actual offer from the same German shop, calculated exactly for your own country:

If you view this page from Austria, there is no customs or tax line at all in that calculation, since neither applies within the EU. From Switzerland, you will see the real Swiss VAT included instead.

The Rule for Your Country at a Glance

What Else Matters in the Comparison

Beyond customs and tax, it is worth checking shipping costs, which can differ noticeably between the two destinations, and any free shipping threshold that can matter on smaller orders. The exchange rate also plays a role whenever a Swiss shop bills in francs instead of euros.

Frequently Asked Questions