Online store with .ch domain not a Swiss retailer

I ordered some expensive items at an online store which had a .ch domain but when I got the order I had to pay customs duties on the whole lot because the stuff was shipped from outside of Switzerland! I specifically ordered from a Swiss retailer because I don't want to pay customs duties and I like to shop local. I would imagine a website with .ch would be a Swiss merchant and the stuff would be delivered from a Swiss warehouse. This is a total scam in my opinion. Is there anything I can do?

Hi there,

A ".ch" domain on an online store openly leads buyers to believe the online merchant in question is domiciled in Switzerland. It also indicates that goods will be delivered from a supplier in Switzerland. If goods ordered from an online merchant with a .ch domain are shipped from a foreign country without your having been made fully aware of this in advance, you can demand compensation for the costs of customs duties.

Important: Some foreign merchants operate websites with .ch domains. Merchants domiciled outside of Switzerland do not fall under Swiss law. You normally will not be able to claim compensation from these foreign merchants.

Best regards from Moneyguru

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