Published on 22 January 2026

Tax-free fuel cards

Tax-free fuel cards

Procedure to apply for a tax-free fuel card – valid from 1 January 2026

This procedure only concerns the following beneficiaries:

official or service vehicles of institutional beneficiaries , i.e. international organisations established in Switzerland and entitled to customs privileges, and permanent missions or delegations accredited to these international organisations;

private vehicles of staff members of the above-mentioned international organisations or permanent missions/delegations, who perform the function and are entitled to the corresponding customs privileges (condition: be the main holder of a legitimation card type B or C).

The beneficiary must first choose a fuel distributor from among the oil companies approved by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS).

The application for a fuel card is made directly to the distributor chosen by the beneficiary, using a form. This form will be available on the website of the distributor concerned or sent on request by the latter (contact details: see here).

Official or service vehicles

The institutional beneficiary uses the official or service vehicle application form provided by the chosen distributor. This form, fully completed, signed and bearing the applicant's official seal, must be sent to the distributor, along with a copy of the vehicle's registration permit (carte grise).

The representation number and country number* to be entered on the form for official vehicles has been sent by the Swiss Mission by post to the institutional beneficiaries concerned at the end of 2025.

(* this number is different from the number assigned to the vehicle’s license plates)

After verification of the data and the beneficiary's eligibility for customs privileges, the distributor sends the fuel card and its PIN code directly to the postal address indicated on the application form.

Private Vehicles

The primary holder uses the private vehicle application form provided by the chosen distributor. This form, fully completed, signed and bearing the employer's official seal, must be sent to the distributor, along with a copy of the vehicle's vehicle registration permit (carte grise).

After verification of the applicant's data and eligibility for customs privileges, the distributor sends the fuel card and its PIN code directly to the postal address indicated on the application form.

General

During a transitional period of six months, i.e. until 30 June 2026, the previously issued Shell SA fuel cards can still be used. From 1 July 2026, only new fuel cards can be used;

The contractual terms, payment use of fuel cards modalities may vary depending on the distributor. It is the responsibility of the beneficiaries to contact the service provider(s) of their choice directly for any questions, in particular concerning the possibility of obtaining retroactive monthly invoicing, for their fleet of official vehicles for example;

It is only possible to obtain one fuel card per vehicle, however, a beneficiary with several vehicles can request a fuel card from a different distributor for each of their vehicles.

Since customs privileges can only be claimed by the main holder for the vehicle registered in his or her name, spouses or partners who are also in possession of a type B or C legitimation card and who have registered a vehicle in their name cannot obtain a fuel card for the said vehicle;

Further details can be found on the FOCBS website, which also contains a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ).

Legal references:

Article 28 of the Ordinance of 13 November 1985 concerning the customs privileges of international organizations, of States in their relations with such organizations and of special missions of foreign States (RS 631.145.0),

Institutional beneficiaries and beneficiaries referred to in Article 2 of the Federal Act of 22 June 2007 on the Host State (LEH; SR 192.12)

Competent authorities

For permanent missions and international organisations:
West Customs diplomatic skills center
GVA Center Building
Route de l'Aéroport 31
CH - 1215 Le Grand-Saconnex
Tel. [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

For Embassies and Consulates:
Zoll Mittelland
Bogenschützenstrasse 9B
3001 Bern
Tel. [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Access to the GVA Center Building only possible with an appointment to be made in advance by phone or email (contact details above).

Opening time for visits with an appointment:

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 to 10:30 a.m.

Specialist Contact

Permanent Mission of Switzerland to UNOG
Good Offices and Security Section
Rue de Varembé 9-11, P.O. Box 194
CH - 1211 Geneva 20
Tel. [phone]