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The twenty imports Switzerland is best placed to replace.

Switzerland imported USD 218bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 255bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 5.9bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
194products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
670products Switzerland already exports well
606public purchases of goods joined to a product family, from Tenders Electronic Daily (EU)
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Switzerland already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Switzerland would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition carries public buyers from Tenders Electronic Daily (EU), 5,827 award notices from 2025-11-03 to 2026-11-02, joined to each product's customs heading through a crosswalk we authored. The buyers are shown as context and do not change the score, because award values in these records include framework ceilings and outliers that would distort it. The regional layer (where the capability sits) is built only where a country publishes regional trade by product, and Switzerland does not publish it in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kNHS 841112

    Comes fromPoland 57%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 153m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 641m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 741m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2); Poland supplies 57 per cent (1).

    USD 741mup 64% on 2022
  2. 2

    Vehicles: with both compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel) and electric motor...HS 870350

    Comes fromGermany 50%, 26 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 11 more lines in the heading, USD 12bn
    Public buyers in the family29 awards from 21 buyers. Most frequent: Kantonspolizei Schwyz, Kommandoabteilung

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 466m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Germany supplies 50 per cent (1).

    USD 466mdown 30% on 2022
  3. 3

    Machinery: for filtering or purifying liquids, n.e.c. in item no. 8421.2HS 842129

    Comes fromGermany 43%, 67 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 76m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 300m
    Public buyers in the family6 awards from 5 buyers. Most frequent: Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ)

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 227m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); Germany supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 227mdown 41% on 2022
  4. 4

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of...HS 870422

    Comes fromGermany 51%, 23 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 61m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 1.7bn
    Public buyers in the family25 awards from 20 buyers. Most frequent: Tiefbauamt des Kantons Bern

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 215m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); Germany supplies 51 per cent (1).

    USD 215mup 53% on 2022
  5. 5

    Steel, stainless: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coilsHS 722100

    Comes fromItaly 79%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 126m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); Italy supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 126mdown 40% on 2022
  6. 6

    Rail locomotives: powered from an external source of electricityHS 860110

    Comes fromGermany 100%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthRailway or tramway coaches, vans and trucks: self-propelled, powered... (exports USD 92m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 123m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); Germany supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 123mfrom USD 13m in 2022
  7. 7

    Aircraft and spacecraft: parts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft n.e.c. in heading no. 8807HS 880730

    Comes fromUnited States 49%, 93 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 328m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 138m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 862m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); United States supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 862mup 20% on 2022
  8. 8

    Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: catheters, cannulae and the likeHS 901839

    Comes fromUnited States 41%, 71 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInstruments and apparatus: using optical radiations (UV, visible... (exports USD 362m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 427m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 300m
    Public buyers in the family20 awards from 15 buyers. Most frequent: Universitätsspital Basel

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 638m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); United States supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 638mup 21% on 2022
  9. 9

    Reagents: diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared diagnostic or laboratory reagents whether or not on...HS 382219

    Comes fromUnited States 31%, 90 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 185m
    Public buyers in the family2 awards from 2 buyers. Most frequent: Services industriels de Genève (SIG) - Direction Achats

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 579m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2).

    USD 579mup 12% on 2022
  10. 10

    Wine: sparklingHS 220410

    Comes fromFrance 57%, 58 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 10m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 1.0bn
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 243m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); France supplies 57 per cent (1).

    USD 243mdown 5% on 2022
  11. 11

    Vehicle parts: brakes, servo-brakes and parts thereofHS 870830

    Comes fromGermany 53%, 74 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCycles: parts thereof, hubs (other than coaster braking hubs and hub... (exports USD 22m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 89m; 9 more lines in the heading, USD 730m
    Public buyers in the family5 awards from 4 buyers. Most frequent: TED - Entsorgung + Recycling Zürich (ERZ) Hagenholzstrasse 110, Zürich

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 240m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); Germany supplies 53 per cent (1).

    USD 240mup 11% on 2022
  12. 12

    Medicaments: containing corticosteroid hormones, their derivatives or structural analogues (but not containing...HS 300432

    Comes fromSpain 46%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMedicaments: (not containing antibiotics, hormones, alkaloids or... (exports USD 797m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 141m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 21m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 226m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); Spain supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 226mup 60% on 2022
  13. 13

    Aluminium: foil, (not backed), rolled (but not further worked), of a thickness not exceeding 0.2mmHS 760711

    Comes fromGermany 81%, 43 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: foil, (not backed), of a thickness not exceeding 0.2mm... (exports USD 80m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 14m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 186m, top 10 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); Germany supplies 81 per cent (2).

    USD 186mdown 21% on 2022
  14. 14

    Fork-lift and other works trucks: fitted with lifting or handling equipment, self-propelled by electric motorHS 842710

    Comes fromGermany 55%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPumps: vacuum (exports USD 162m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 13m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 82m
    Public buyers in the family10 awards from 9 buyers. Most frequent: Satom SA

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 184m, top 10 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); Germany supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 184mup 22% on 2022
  15. 15

    Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip, other flat shapes thereof, self-adhesive, other than in rolls of a...HS 391990

    Comes fromGermany 48%, 93 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 56m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 157m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); Germany supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 157mup 4% on 2022
  16. 16

    Titanium: other than unwrought, n.e.c. in heading no. 8108HS 810890

    Comes fromUnited States 42%, 47 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 45m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 154m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 17 per cent (2); United States supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 154mup 33% on 2022
  17. 17

    Blockboard, laminboard and battenboard: with both outer plies of coniferous woodHS 441259

    Comes fromAustria 42%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 349k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 49m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 151m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); Austria supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 151mup 13% on 2022
  18. 18

    Newspapers, journals and periodicals: whether or not illustrated or containing advertising material, appearing less...HS 490290

    Comes fromGermany 64%, 61 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 6m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 134m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); Germany supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 134mdown 19% on 2022
  19. 19

    Acrylic polymers: (other than polymethyl methacrylate), in primary formsHS 390690

    Comes fromGermany 47%, 47 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIon-exchangers: based on polymers of heading no. 3901 to 3913, in... (exports USD 71m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 37m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 126m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); Germany supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 126mdown 11% on 2022
  20. 20

    Tractors: n.e.c. in heading no 8701 (other than tractors of heading no 8709): of an engine power exceeding 75kW but...HS 870194

    Comes fromGermany 56%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 18m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 343m
    Public buyers in the family2 awards from 2 buyers. Most frequent: Kanton Zürich, Baudirektion, Tiefbauamt, Fahrzeugdienst

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 111m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Switzerland's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); Germany supplies 56 per cent (1).

    USD 111mdown 29% on 2022

The bill and its path, the sources and their unit values, who exports the line well, the nearest strengths, the public buyers where a country publishes them, and the method. We reply by email. Privacy

One line per customs heading. Products Switzerland already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological... imports USD 2.6bn, exports USD 2.1bn, top source United States 36%
  • Medicaments: containing hormones (but not insulin), adrenal cortex hormones or... imports USD 3.1bn, exports USD 2.7bn, top source Austria 73%
  • Watch straps, watch bands, watch bracelets, and parts thereof: of base metal... imports USD 408m, exports USD 128m, top source France 33%
  • Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological... imports USD 673m, exports USD 439m, top source Singapore 36%
  • Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological... imports USD 5.4bn, exports USD 5.2bn, top source United States 37%
  • Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no.... imports USD 42bn, exports USD 42bn, top source Slovenia 46%
  • Heat pumps: other than air conditioning machines of heading no. 8415 imports USD 220m, exports USD 78m, top source Germany 51%
  • Wood: assembled flooring panels, not of bamboo or with at least the top layer... imports USD 167m, exports USD 40m, top source Germany 31%
  • Railway or tramway rolling stock: parts n.e.c. in heading no. 8607 imports USD 212m, exports USD 103m, top source Germany 52%
  • Amine-function compounds: aromatic monoamines and their derivatives: salts... imports USD 148m, exports USD 39m, top source Germany 78%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 1727 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Public buyers, context only, never scored: 5,827 award notices from Tenders Electronic Daily (EU), 2025-11-03 to 2026-11-02, of which 799 were classified by the buyer as goods and 606 joined to a product family through a crosswalk we authored, because no official one exists. Only notices whose code names a specific product group are joined; broad division codes are left out. The join is a family, not an exact line, and the counts are a floor.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-03. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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