Freight Forwarding — Pay Swiss Suppliers Faster, Cheaper
You track containers to the minute but your bank takes 3 days to settle.. And your bank makes it worse — 3-day settlements, 2-4% hidden FX spreads, and zero visibility into what your payments actually cost.
We built payment infrastructure for freight forwarding businesses. 0.5% spreads. Same-day CHF settlement. Free container tracking.
Get a Quote for Your Next Swiss PaymentFreight Forwarding margins are too thin to donate 2-4% to your bank on every supplier payment.
Before we show you a single number, know this: we are regulated, audited, and transparent. Our pricing is published. Our client funds are segregated. These aren't marketing claims — they're regulatory requirements we meet daily.
These aren't marketing claims — they're regulatory requirements we meet daily.
Save £1,730 per £100k Payment
Typical savings for Freight Forwarding paying Switzerland suppliers
- ❌ 2-3 day settlement
- ❌ Hidden FX margins
- ❌ High correspondent bank fees
- ❌ Manual compliance checks
- ✓ Settles in seconds — 2.3 second average
- ✓ Transparent pricing
- ✓ SIC (Swiss Interbank Clearing) available
- ✓ 0.14s automated compliance
At £500k-£5M monthly volume, save £20,760/year
What Challenges Do Freight Forwarding Businesses Face Paying Switzerland?
Industry Pain Points
- Multi-currency payments to agents worldwide
- Demurrage and detention costs from delays
- Thin margins (3-8%) vulnerable to FX
- High payment volume (200+ monthly)
Country-Specific Considerations
- Swiss National Bank oversight
- Swiss Customs documentation
- VAT (7.7%) on goods and services
- FINMA regulations for financial services
How Do Freight Forwarding Businesses Typically Pay Swiss Suppliers?
Fast Settlement: Settles in seconds — 2.3 second average
Use SIC (Swiss Interbank Clearing) for instant CHF settlement. Swiss instant payment system, widely adopted
Real-Time FX Exposure Tracking
Upload supplier invoices as PDFs. Our AI OCR extracts amounts and currencies. See exactly what waiting costs you in real-time. Lock rates for 15 seconds when you see a good rate.
0.14s Compliance Screening
Automated compliance checks for Switzerland regulations. Swiss National Bank oversight handled automatically.
How Freight Forwarding Businesses Typically Pay Swiss Suppliers
If you're importing in this sector, you're likely dealing with a mix of payment terms. Here's how they work — and why speed matters.
⏱ Payment Timing
Payment before cargo release. Port fees due immediately. Agent payments Net 7-14 days. High frequency: 5-20 payments daily.
📄 Invoice Terms
Prepayment for port fees, Net 7-14 for agents, Net 30 for established partners. Credit lines essential for cash flow.
Daily payments, cash flow intensive. Peak season (Aug-Nov) requires extra working capital. Payment terms mismatch: pay agents before client pays.
📊 FX Risk Profile
HIGH: Multi-currency exposure (CNY, EUR, USD, AED). 3-8% margins mean 2% FX move eliminates profit. Must hedge or pass through.
Network of agents worldwide. Long-term relationships essential for reliability. Commission-based structures. Reciprocal arrangements common.
Common Documentation for Freight Forwarding
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice
- Customs Entry Documentation
- Delivery Order
- Agent Invoice with shipment reference
Popular Switzerland Supplier Types for Freight Forwarding
Common Switzerland Suppliers
- Precision instrument makers (Zürich, Basel)
- Pharmaceutical companies (Basel, Zug)
- Machinery manufacturers (Winterthur, St. Gallen)
- Watch manufacturers (Geneva, Neuchâtel)
Payment Tips for Switzerland
- Switzerland = Precision manufacturing, pharma (Roche, Novartis)
- SIC enables instant CHF settlement
- High quality standards - expect premium pricing
- Multilingual (German, French, Italian) - language considerations
Frequently Asked Questions: Freight Forwarding Payments to Switzerland
How do Freight Forwarding businesses pay suppliers in Switzerland?
Freight Forwarding businesses can pay Switzerland suppliers instantly using Unicorn Currencies. We offer a 0.5% FX spread with 2.3-second average settlement using local payment rails like SIC (Swiss Interbank Clearing). This is significantly faster and cheaper than traditional SWIFT transfers which take 2-3 days.
What banking details do I need for Switzerland Freight Forwarding suppliers?
To pay Freight Forwarding suppliers in Switzerland, you need the recipient's IBAN (International Bank Account Number (Swiss format)), account number, and beneficiary name. Our platform validates these details automatically to ensure successful payment delivery.
How much can Freight Forwarding businesses save on Switzerland payments?
Freight Forwarding businesses typically save 77% compared to traditional banks when paying Switzerland suppliers. On a £100k transaction, that's £1,730 in savings. With Unicorn Currencies, you pay just 0.5% FX spread + £5 per payment vs banks charging 2.2% spread + £35 fees.
Is container tracking available for Freight Forwarding shipments from Switzerland?
Yes, Unicorn Currencies offers FREE container tracking for Freight Forwarding shipments from Switzerland. You receive real-time visibility into your cargo, including demurrage alerts to help avoid costly port storage fees. This feature is included at no extra cost with your payment account.
What currencies do Freight Forwarding businesses typically use with Switzerland?
Freight Forwarding businesses typically convert GBP to CHF when paying Switzerland suppliers. Unicorn Currencies provides live exchange rates with a transparent 0.5% spread, and you can lock rates for 15 seconds when you see a favorable rate. Our AI-powered invoice OCR can automatically extract amounts and currencies from supplier invoices.
Ready to Pay Switzerland Suppliers 77% Cheaper?
Join Freight Forwarding businesses saving £1,730 per £100k payment with t+0 (2.3s avg within unicorn network).
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