Kales represents Finnair Cargo in Switzerland
Jul 1, 2026 at 1:51 PM
The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) has uncovered a large case of gold smuggling, in which over 230 kg of old jewelry was illegally imported from Italy into Switzerland. Investigations revealed that the jewelry was melted down without customs clearance and resold. The evaded value-added tax and customs duties amount to approximately 800,000 CHF.
Investigations and arrests
The investigators of the BAZG completed an investigation targeting three suspects. One of the suspects, a 56-year-old Italian citizen, had already been convicted in Italy for various offenses, including money laundering and illegal possession of firearms. He was arrested in Asti based on a warrant issued by the Carabinieri, who conducted the investigation into the individuals involved in the smuggling in collaboration with the Ticino Criminal Police.
The main suspect had procured the old jewelry from camps of itinerants in Northern Italy and imported it into Switzerland while circumventing customs formalities. He crossed the border weekly at non-permanently staffed crossings without declaring the goods hidden in backpacks. After the importation, he handed over the gold to two other suspects residing in Switzerland. They sold the gold to a company that had a valid permit from the BAZG for melting precious metals. However, this permit was revoked from the company.
Organized smuggling and further investigations
The investigations revealed that the three suspects were part of an organized smuggling network between Italy and Switzerland. Cross-border cooperation between various authorities, as well as national cooperation with the Ticino Public Prosecutor’s Office, were crucial for the success of the investigations. These included surveillance, information exchange, searches, and joint seizures.
Additionally, during the course of the investigations, further branches of old gold smuggling were uncovered. This involved approximately 40 kg of old gold that was also smuggled from Italy to Switzerland and resold. Investigations are now also underway against three other Italian citizens residing in Switzerland.
In total, around 230 kg of gold was illegally imported into Switzerland, leading to an evasion of value-added tax and customs duties amounting to approximately 800,000 CHF. The BAZG will determine the penalties as part of the ongoing proceedings.
Legal situation and import regulations
The Federal Act on the Control of Trade in Precious Metals and Precious Metal Goods (EMKG) regulates the trade in raw materials, melting goods, and melting products, as well as in precious metal goods such as watches and jewelry. Precious metals include gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. The commercial purchase of old precious metals, the production of melting products, and the analysis of the content of melting products are activities that require a permit. According to customs law, the principle of self-declaration applies, whereby all goods imported or exported must be presented to the competent customs office and declared during customs clearance.
