"An Italian national has been arrested after attempting to enter Switzerland via the border crossing at Brustata with 100kg of undeclared foodstuffs. The man crossed the border in Ticino canton in a van and was picked up by a mobile police unit, Switzerland's Federal Office of Customs and Border Protection said on Tuesday. It was then discovered the man was transporting 66 panettones weighing 81kg in total. The Italian also had loaves of focaccia, 164 litres of oil, 5kg of meat and 28kg of mozzarella."
"The man, who Swiss reports suggest has a food truck business near the Gotthard pass, not only has to clear the undeclared foods through Swiss customs but will also be fined several hundred francs. So-called shopping tourism' is very popular among people living in one of Switzerland's border regions, as food and many other goods are cheaper in neighbouring countries."
"Bringing any living plant matter, such as plants, fruits, vegetables, roots, cut flowers, and seeds into Switzerland from outside the European Union and EFTA states (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) is banned. Between Switzerland and Italy there are 30 land borders and seven services by public transport. Switzerland and Germany have 86 land borders and 11 public transport connections; Switzerland and France have 95 land crossings and 14 by train or tram;"
The man attempted to enter Switzerland at the Brustata border crossing in Ticino with 100kg of undeclared foodstuffs loaded in a van. Customs found 66 panettones weighing 81kg, loaves of focaccia, 164 litres of oil, 5kg of meat and 28kg of mozzarella. Swiss authorities arrested the individual, who reportedly runs a food truck near the Gotthard pass, and requires him to clear the goods through customs and pay several hundred francs in fines. Switzerland reduced the tax-free allowance in 2024 from 300 to 150 francs per person. Customs intercepted over 200 tonnes of smuggled meat in 2024, and bringing living plant matter from outside the EU and EFTA is banned.
Read at www.thelocal.ch
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