Switzerland: Export Controls & Trade & Investment Sanctions

In a landmark decision published on 1 April 2026, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court confirmed that PostFinance (“PF”) must keep providing basic CHF payment services to a Russian national residing in Switzerland who is subject to US and UK economic sanctions, but not to Swiss sanctions.

Fiscal import involves the purchase or procurement "on paper" of medicines that have not left the territory of the European Union from an entity based outside the EU.

The Swiss financial services regulator has put out a press release announcing its decision, taken several weeks ago, to revoke the licence of MBaer Merchant Bank AG for AML and sanctions compliance failings.

The Annual Report of the Swiss Attorney General's Office (OAG) contains details on two ongoing criminal sanctions cases which it has taken over from SECO.

In a continued effort to align with European Union ("EU") sanctions, on 12 February 2025, the Swiss Federal Council implemented additional measures to align with the EU 15th sanctions package. The new Swiss restrictions, which primarily concern extended divestment deadlines and reinforced measures regarding court rulings involving Russian companies, came into force on 13 February 2025.

As international business operations become more complex, European and Swiss companies are increasingly affected by global regulatory measures...

As of January 2024, more than 1950 Russian individuals and legal entities have been included in the European Union sanctions list as a result of measures taken by the European Union in connection

On 21 December 2023, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) released an updated "frequently asked questions" (FAQ) document.

The SECO has updated its "frequently asked questions" document, providing, in particular, enhanced clarity on specific aspects of Articles 16 and 20 of the Ordinance on measures in connection with the situation in Ukraine.