Simplified customs process offered for artists.

For 20 years, Polymanga has offered selected artists booths in the Artist Village. As a result, over 100 artists benefit from the space, infrastructure, and promotion, which has helped Polymanga become one of the most renowned Artist Villages in the world.

But customs can be a daunting process for many foreign artists. Polymanga, in collaboration with SEV, went through 50 pages of customs regulations and found a huge advantage for artists: simplified customs procedures. So much so that we’ve decided to cover the administrative fees related to this simplified customs process for the artists! Follow the guide !

Simplified procedure to exhibit and sell your works at Polymanga without customs duties and VAT! Follow the guide ! 01/25

In some cases, when you are an artist and want to exhibit in Switzerland, it is possible to benefit from a simplified customs procedure. Polymanga and SEV will guide you to ensure everything goes smoothly. (02/25)

Attention, your works must meet all the points below; otherwise, the simplified procedure will not be possible. All criteria must be met at least one week before the start of the festival. (03/25)

You must cross the border at a French-speaking Swiss custom checkpoint so that all the documents are understood by the customs officers. 04/25

This document is a recommendation. You remain responsible for your works and your customs documents. Polymanga or SEV cannot be held responsible if you have any trouble. (05/25)

Here is the list of conditions to meet:
1. You must be the full author of the artwork in question (this is already part of the conditions to participate to Polymanga) and it must not be fan art. (06/25)

2. Your artwork must be unique and identifiable separately (no reproduction of a drawing in multiple copies).

3. Each artwork must include a creation or significant modifications made with physical drawing or painting tools and must be hand-signed. (07/25)

4. If it is part of a larger creation: your work must have a limited and numbered edition, but each copy of the edition must feature a different customization, even if the base design is the same. (08/25)

5. The total value of your creations going through customs must be less than 40’000 euros (this should be alright ! 09/25

6. Your work must serve no other purpose than being beautiful (forget about keychains). (10/25)

It may seem complicated, but here is a concrete example validated by customs as a work of art. 11/25

Does your artwork meet all these points? Great! Here is the simplified procedure! 12/25

You need to create a list with a photo of each work (if there is a series with the same base, a photo of each copy), and include the following details:

The title of the artwork
The creation date
The technique and materials used
The dimensions
The weight
The expected sale value
A photo of each work (13/25)

This list should have a header with the artist’s name and the following text:
‘Exposition temporaire pour vente incertaine, Polymanga 2025, 18-21 avril – Beaulieu lausanne’
(PDF example to follow) (14/25)

Print this list in 5 copies. Hand-sign each page. Then send one copy of the list in PDF format to SEV for verification 7 days before the start of the festival. (15/25)

For the French customs at entry:

1. Print two copies of your list of artworks, each copy signed in original. (16/25)

2. Also print an ID with a visible signature.

3. Print the document ‘Les œuvres et objets d’art (transport par son auteur)’ provided by SEV (to be presented only in case of a dispute with French customs). (17/25)

The vehicle should go to a French customs office, possibly in St Gingolph, Bardonnex, Vallard, Fernex, Vallorbe, etc., where you will provide the list to the French customs officers for a stamp (to be shown upon departure). Be sure to go during official office hours.

Plan your journey in advance and allow extra time for waiting and unforeseen circumstances. (18/25)

For Swiss customs at entry:

– Print two copies of your list of works, each copy signed in original.

– Print the e-dec web document ‘Liste d’importation” (for presentation at Swiss customs). This is a VAT-exempt import declaration, covering only the original works presented by the artist, provided by SEV. (19/25)

– Print the E-DEC WEB document ‘Bulletin de délivrance’ provided by SEV
– Also print an ID with a visible signature
– Print the document ‘Impôt sur les importations.’ and present it only in case of a dispute with Swiss customs (provided by SEV) (20/25)

Once this procedure is completed, you can go directly to Lausanne. This procedure is normally charged around 100 €… But Polymanga and SEV have partnered to offer it free of charge to the artists in the Polymanga Artist Village! (limited to the simplified customs procedure) (21/25)

For the return to France, go to the same French customs office as during the export.
Present the original list of works stamped by customs and indicate the ones that have been sold. (22/25)

Attention: the French customs office must be open. You cannot leave on Easter Monday. We recommend enjoying the end of Polymanga and leaving peacefully the following day! (23/25)

Et voilà !
A simplified custom procedure to exhibit and sell your works at Polymanga, without customs duties and VAT!

See you soon! Polymanga registrations open on December 2nd! (24/25)

What if I don’t fall under the simplified customs procedure? I want to sell my books and keychains at Polymanga !

In this case, you are dealing with a standard temporary customs procedure. You can handle it yourself or get assistance from our specialized service provider, SEV. (25/25)