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Tavannes is a municipality in the Canton of Bern. Like all places in Switzerland, activities in Tavannes that involve cross-border trade, financial transactions or transfers of know-how are governed by Swiss federal sanctions and export control rules. Switzerland implements embargoes and restrictive measures decided by the Federal Council and enforces controls on war material, dual-use goods, and certain technologies. The main authorities involved at the federal level include the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs - SECO, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs - FDFA, the Swiss Federal Customs Administration, and sectoral regulators such as the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority for financial sanctions.
Sanctions and export control rules can be technical, change quickly, and carry significant penalties. You may need a lawyer in the following common situations:
- You or your business plan to export goods, software or technology that might be classified as war material or dual-use items and you need help with classification and licensing.
- You are negotiating or conducting cross-border transactions involving parties, end-users or countries subject to sanctions or restrictive measures.
- You operate a business that relies on imports, transit or re-exports through Switzerland and need to establish compliant supply-chain controls.
- Your bank or service provider freezes funds or refuses a transaction because of a sanctions concern, and you need advice or representation.
- You face a government inquiry, administrative fine or criminal investigation for alleged breaches of sanctions or export control rules.
- You need to design or review a sanctions and export control compliance program, including policies, screening tools, record-keeping and staff training.
- You are involved in mergers, acquisitions or financing where sanctions exposure must be assessed and mitigated.
Key aspects of Switzerland's framework that apply in Tavannes are:
- National implementation of sanctions - The Federal Council adopts and implements international sanctions and embargoes. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs - SECO administers many economic sanctions and issues guidance and licences where allowed.
- War material and brokering controls - Exports, imports, transit and brokering of war material and certain military technology are regulated by the War Material Act and related ordinances. Licences are generally required for arms and military-related exports.
- Dual-use goods and controlled technology - Items with civilian and military applications may be subject to export controls, including technology transfers and intangible exports. Classification may reference international control lists such as the Wassenaar Arrangement.
- Financial sanctions and asset freezes - Financial institutions and other obliged entities must screen for designated persons or entities and freeze assets as required by sanctions measures. Supervisory bodies can impose measures for non-compliance.
- Customs enforcement - The Swiss Federal Customs Administration controls physical exports and imports, enforces embargoes at the border, and can seize goods that violate export restrictions.
- Criminal and administrative penalties - Violations can lead to administrative fines, confiscation of goods, and in serious cases criminal prosecution with the possibility of imprisonment. Penalties vary depending on the nature and seriousness of the breach.
Risk arises where you export or transfer goods, software, technology or services to persons, entities or countries subject to restrictive measures, or where the items are controlled because of military use or dual-use potential. Financial transactions, provision of legal or consulting services, and brokering activities can also create exposure.
Start by classifying the item against Swiss control lists and international control regimes. If the item is listed as war material or dual-use, an export licence is often required. Classification can be technical and may require product documentation, technical specifications and advice from SECO or a specialist lawyer.
Yes. Individuals can face administrative penalties and criminal prosecution if they deliberately or negligently breach sanctions or export control laws. This includes directors, employees and brokers who authorise or facilitate prohibited transactions.
Preserve documents, do not destroy records and contact a lawyer immediately. Your lawyer can advise on how to present evidence of lawful activity, how to request an unfreezing or licence where possible, and how to engage with the bank and regulators.
Transit and re-export can be controlled. Even if goods do not remain in Switzerland, licences or prior authorisations may be required, especially for war material or controlled dual-use items. Customs procedures and documentation are important to demonstrate lawful transit.
Failure to carry out reasonable due diligence and sanctions screening can lead to administrative sanctions, fines, reputational damage, contract terminations, and criminal liability in serious cases. Regulators expect firms to maintain effective screening and record-keeping processes.
Timelines vary by case complexity and the type of licence. Simple cases may be processed in weeks, while complex military or politically sensitive exports can take months. Early engagement with SECO or legal counsel can help set realistic timelines.
No. Switzerland is not a member of the EU, so its legal measures are adopted by the Swiss authorities. However, Switzerland often aligns with EU and UN sanctions. Differences can exist, so it is important to assess Swiss law specifically rather than rely on EU rules alone.
Keep classification records, licence applications and decisions, contracts and end-user statements, transport and customs documents, screening records, internal compliance policies, training records, and correspondence with authorities. Good documentation is essential in the event of inquiries.
Look for a lawyer or firm with experience in Swiss export control law, sanctions compliance and regulatory enforcement. Relevant experience includes licence applications, regulatory investigations, criminal defence, and compliance program design. Confirm language skills, availability and fee structure, and ask for references or case examples where appropriate.
Useful federal bodies and resources that can provide guidance or are responsible for enforcement include:
- State Secretariat for Economic Affairs - SECO - administers many sanctions and provides guidance on licence procedures and measures.
- Federal Department of Foreign Affairs - FDFA - involved in the foreign policy aspects and sanction decisions.
- Swiss Federal Customs Administration - enforces export and customs controls at the border and for transit.
- Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority - for compliance obligations of banks and financial institutions.
- International frameworks and lists - United Nations resolutions, Wassenaar Arrangement control lists and international partner lists can inform Swiss controls.
If you believe you need legal assistance, follow these practical steps:
- Collect basic information - prepare product descriptions, technical specifications, contract drafts, customer and end-user details, shipment plans and any communications with counterparties or banks.
- Conduct an initial risk check - screen counterparties and countries against sanctions lists and identify whether your items appear on control lists.
- Engage a specialist lawyer - choose someone with sanctions and export control experience in Switzerland. Provide the lawyer with the documentation you have collected so they can assess the risk and advise on licensing, compliance measures or defence strategies.
- Halt potentially risky transactions - if there is a real risk of breach, pause shipments or transfers until you have legal clearance.
- Prepare for remediation - if you find past non-compliance, a lawyer can advise on voluntary disclosure, mitigation measures and how to cooperate with authorities to reduce penalties.
Taking prompt, well-documented and professional legal steps can significantly reduce legal and commercial risk when dealing with sanctions and export controls in Tavannes or elsewhere in Switzerland.
