I ordered a Korean sunscreen from Amazon.de a few days ago along with other items. I received all except this sunscreen and I had no idea why I didn’t receive it. Today I got this letter, along with the receipt of 120 francs payment. Apparently, I am not allowed to import that product in Switzerland and it was not written anywhere, so how could someone know. Has anyone experienced a similar situation? Can you help me how to handle this situation?
https://i.redd.it/fo7zmygvxeid1.jpeg
Posted by Funny-Problem-9531
14 Comments
The only thing that comes to my mind: There is a chemical compound in the sunscreen that is illegal for human cosmetics in the EU and switzerland. Is there no further information on why exactly they held back exactly this item?
Absolutely no expert on this, but why not ask what exactly they are concerned about.
Generally speaking, any kind of cosmetic or pharmaceutical (and food) that comes from outside of the EU is a risk when importing. The whole “I didn’t know” thing does not work here, it is your responsibility to ensure everything.
You only show one part of the letter and leave out the important stuff., the actual **Beschlagnahmeverfügung**
“ignorantia iuris nocet”, meaning “Rechtsunkenntnis schadet” . It’s your responsibility to check whether you’re allowed to import a certain item, it is not the sellers responsibility.
As another commenter mentioned, probably a certain compound is banned.
In short: Pay it, not much else you can do at this point.
How many bottles of sunscreen did you order?
Can you post a link to the suncreen?
If you import something to Switzerland, which you were doing by ordering it, you are responsible that it’s according to Swiss law. So you have to pay the 120 CHF
Probably some component is banned. I’m unaware of a way to know when importing. I usually try to search if the item is sold/mentioned in Switzerland somewhere.
Without knowing the specific product, a likely assumption is that it uses an ingredient that is restricted to import into Switzerland and/or requires an import permit.
You’ll have to obtain an import permit from SECO for the product or ingredient.
it tells you to read the FAQ on the back, so what does that say?
but generally its not the responsibility of the seller to make sure what they sell is legal everywhere on the globe where they ship
[https://www.blv.admin.ch/blv/de/home/gebrauchsgegenstaende/kosmetika-schmuck/kosmetika.html](https://www.blv.admin.ch/blv/de/home/gebrauchsgegenstaende/kosmetika-schmuck/kosmetika.html) from this page TIL, that cosmetics allowed in the EU area are also allowed in switzerland according to the [**Cassis-de-Dijon-Principle** ](https://www.blv.admin.ch/blv/en/home/import-und-export/rechts-und-vollzugsgrundlagen/cassis-de-dijon.html)so one question you could email or call them about is why it would be sold on [amazon.de](http://amazon.de) but not allowed in switzerland (i think it is because it only applies to stuff produced in the EU)
What sunscreen was it?
that signature is certainly a choice
Most probably a citation due to violating [VKos Section 2](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2017/165/de).
Like everything else in Switzerland, the answer is “selberschuld”.
However, why on earth would you import sunscreen from Korea?
Cosmetics I get..
Welp, tell them you did not know and that you can’t provide the documentation they ask for and they should keep it as well as that you are paying the 120 CHF. Else there is nothing much more you can do, unless you can provide the documentation (which I doupt).
Who is the seller? Amazon itself? If not, from what Country is the seller? Can you link the product?