Swiss shop affordably in Konstanz: duty-free or no border: “I’ll save money either way”

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Tiziana (49) from Wetzikon ZH is happy with the bargain: “I paid 200 euros here for the same coat that cost 300 francs in Switzerland. “I can also claim back 35 euros as VAT.”

It’s a phrase you’ll probably hear every week. Paired with the matching picture: Cars with Swiss license plates line up in columns in front of the German border crossing. Constance’s old town is filled with shopping tourists. What attracts them are the low prices in the neighboring country.

Today, anyone who buys goods for 300 francs in Germany can not only claim back German VAT at customs, but also avoid Swiss VAT: this is a savings of almost 20 percent. According to a study, Switzerland purchased a total of 8.5 billion francs from abroad in 2022. The border cantons of St. Petersburg, who have long wanted to prevent this and are now listened to by the liberal Wiler Bundestag member Karin Keller-Sutter. This bothers Gallen and Thurgau greatly: From 2025, the value-neutral limit will drop from 300 francs to 150 francs. The proposal is being consulted.

Tiziana is not impressed: “It’s not great, but it doesn’t stop me from shopping in Konstanz. Because I would still save money.

After a few conversations with Swiss people, it becomes clear that many people come to Konstanz not just to finish the shopping list, but to enjoy the overall experience. Like Lisa (59) and Hans (65) from Solothurn. Lisa says: “We don’t come to Konstanz very often. That’s why our visit is not just about shopping, but also about other activities that are cheaper here.” When asked about Keller-Sutter’s suggestion, Swiss tourists agreed: Going on a day trip to Konstanz would be a shame, but not an obstacle.

Regular day trips and shopping

Pensioner Heinz comes to Konstanz more often, but he is not a “shopping tourist”. “Every now and then I go to the market here and buy spices. Otherwise, I wouldn’t shop here much, it’s not worth it for me.” But he understands the low-income families who shop here: “I think Keller-Sutter’s offer is unfair and wrong. “It would be much more logical to make the prices in Switzerland more attractive.”

The person who should pay more attention to the budget is Andy Gindele (60). The German, living in the Zurich Oberland, is the father of a young child and travels to Konstanz every two or three weeks. She is holding a pack of toilet paper, a bag with care and hygiene products, and a large pack of diapers. He says he spends much less money on these products in Germany. Keller-Sutter’s suggestion did not impress him: “I will not spend more than 100 euros on products.”

Victoria (31) and Philipp (35) live in Kreuzlingen TG, just a 15-minute drive from their home in Germany. The two do almost all their shopping in Konstanz and come here every week. “We buy everything here except cheese and meat,” says Victoria. Because of the quality. As a rule, they never spend more than 150 francs on purchases: “Usually even less than 50 euros,” says Philipp.

So what do the people of Konstanz think about Keller-Sutter’s proposal? Could it hinder shopping tourism? No, says Sophia Schuhmann (42). “Even though prices have increased in recent years, going to a restaurant is still cheaper than in Switzerland,” says the hairdresser, whose clients are around a third Swiss women. It’s hard to find an empty table spontaneously on weekends.

It is hoped that the exemption limit at the Otto-Müller butcher shop will not fall below 100 francs. Because you can only buy meat from abroad and import it to Switzerland for a maximum of 100 francs. If buying meat from abroad wasn’t attractive to the Swiss, people here wouldn’t be happy: “A significant portion of our customers come here from Switzerland every two to three weeks,” says assistant manager Kata Schmidt (49).

The result: Whether for regular shopping or a day trip, the Swiss are busy depositing euros into the tills of German stores. But even if the financial benefit could be curtailed by Keller-Sutter’s plan, they do not want to allow consumption tastes in Germany to deteriorate.

Source :Blick