Import and export of mercury
Import requirements
As of 1 January 2018, metallic mercury, mercury compounds and mercury alloys may only be imported with a permit issued by FOEN. A permit is not required for importation of such substances for use for analysis and research purposes from a country that has signed the Minamata Convention. Applications in accordance with Annex 1.7 Number 1.4.4 ORRChem are to be emailed to minamata@bafu.admin.ch
Information concerning customs declarations for imports requiring a permit and imports that do not require a permit is provided in the Directive R-60-6.6 Annex 1 on mercury of the Directorate General of Customs (PDF, 144 kB, 15.12.2023) (in German).
Export requirements
As of 1 July 2018, in principle, metallic mercury may only be exported for analysis and research purposes and only with a permit issued by FOEN. Applications in accordance with Annex 1.7 Number 2.2.3 ORRChem are to be emailed to minamata@bafu.admin.ch.
Applicants may use the form below:
Gesuch Ausfuhrbewilligung Analyse und Forschung (PDF, 191 kB, 11.07.2018) (currently only in German)
Subject to approval by the importing country, FOEN may also authorise the export of metallic mercury for the production of dental amalgam capsules up until the end of 2027, provided that the recipient declares that he/she will use the mercury solely for the purposes stated. Applications in accordance with Annex 1.7 Number 4.2 paragraph 3 ORRChem are to be emailed to minamata@bafu.admin.ch.
Applicants may use the form below:
Gesuch Ausfuhrbewilligung Übergangsbestimmungen (PDF, 247 kB, 11.07.2018) (currently only in German)
Information concerning the export customs declaration is provided in the Directive R-60-6.6 Annex 1 on mercury of the Directorate General of Customs (PDF, 144 kB, 15.12.2023) (PDF, 144 kB, 15.12.2023) (in German).
