Switzerland -Due DiligenceSwitzerland-Due-Diligence
Although the vast majority of Swiss importers are financially reliable business partners for U.S. exporters, there are, nonetheless, occasional bankruptcies. U.S. exporters should use normal precautions and analyze relevant company financial background information before establishing a business relationship.
The Swiss Commercial Register is a key source for checking the background of Swiss companies. Swiss companies with annual sales of $100,000 or more must be listed in the Swiss Commercial Register with the following information:
- name of firm
- legal form
- head office (legal domicile)
- list of branch offices, purpose
- owners, partners, managing directors
- persons having power of attorney
- number of shareholders
- year of establishment
- share capital
- registration number
Any firm listed in the Swiss Commercial Register is considered a legitimate company and is required to keep accounts and to maintain a balance sheet. However, the register does not reveal information about a company’s financial status and business practices.
Debt enforcement agencies provide information on whether or not any debt collections were made by Swiss companies. Debt enforcement agencies require a letter of interest in order to provide this type of information. Ordering an extract from the debt collection register.
The Swiss Commercial Register is based on Federal Law and is implemented within the individual cantons. The Federal Office of Justice maintains a Central Business Names Index on the Internet (ZEFIZ), a listing of the cantonal registers of companies. Entries and changes in the commercial register are published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SHAB). Each canton also maintains information on whether or not a registered company has defaulted on payments. That information can be obtained directly from the relevant cantonal debt enforcement office.
The Kompass Register (https://ch.kompass.com/), a listing of most Swiss companies, is roughly equivalent to the American Thomas Register. Provided by the listed companies, the information includes complete contact address, bank reference, name of president, members of the Board and managing director, a short description of company’s activity, trademarks, share capital, number of employees, and year of establishment.
Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.
The Swiss Commercial Register is a key source for checking the background of Swiss companies. Swiss companies with annual sales of $100,000 or more must be listed in the Swiss Commercial Register with the following information:
- name of firm
- legal form
- head office (legal domicile)
- list of branch offices, purpose
- owners, partners, managing directors
- persons having power of attorney
- number of shareholders
- year of establishment
- share capital
- registration number
Any firm listed in the Swiss Commercial Register is considered a legitimate company and is required to keep accounts and to maintain a balance sheet. However, the register does not reveal information about a company’s financial status and business practices.
Debt enforcement agencies provide information on whether or not any debt collections were made by Swiss companies. Debt enforcement agencies require a letter of interest in order to provide this type of information. Ordering an extract from the debt collection register.
The Swiss Commercial Register is based on Federal Law and is implemented within the individual cantons. The Federal Office of Justice maintains a Central Business Names Index on the Internet (ZEFIZ), a listing of the cantonal registers of companies. Entries and changes in the commercial register are published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SHAB). Each canton also maintains information on whether or not a registered company has defaulted on payments. That information can be obtained directly from the relevant cantonal debt enforcement office.
The Kompass Register (https://ch.kompass.com/), a listing of most Swiss companies, is roughly equivalent to the American Thomas Register. Provided by the listed companies, the information includes complete contact address, bank reference, name of president, members of the Board and managing director, a short description of company’s activity, trademarks, share capital, number of employees, and year of establishment.
Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.