2024-05-30

Notes to the current account survey CAS



Current account

Background to the current account statistics

The Swiss National Bank has the statutory mandate (legal basis) to draw up the balance of payments for Switzerland (including Liechtenstein). The balance of payments captures all economic transactions between institutional units domiciled in Switzerland and Liechtenstein (i.e. residents) and counterparties abroad (i.e. non-residents) during a specific time period. It comprises the current account, the financial account, and the capital account, and shows the cross-border linkages between Switzerland and Liechtenstein on the one hand, and the rest of the world on the other.

The current account captures the linkages in the real economy between residents and non-residents. This includes trade in goods and services, flows of labour income and investment income, and current transfers.

The current account statistics provide an important source of data for Swiss businesses, and the political and academic communities. As a key macroeconomic indicator, they are referred to for economic and monetary policy decisions, and also play an important role in estimating GDP.

The methodological basis of the balance of payments is internationally standardised and set out in an International Monetary Fund (IMF) manual (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, 6th edition, BPM6).

Further background information on the balance of payments can be found on the SNB’s data portal in the notes on international economic affairs.

Purpose of the current account survey (CAS)

Current account data are derived from several sources. The SNB’s current account survey CAS plays a key role in this regard, particularly in measuring the trade in goods and services.

In view of the pivotal importance of the current account survey, the cooperation of reporting institutions is essential to ensure the quality of the current account and for the economic and monetary policy decisions based upon it.

Legal basis

The Federal Act on the Swiss National Bank (National Bank Act, NBA) of 3 October 2003 and the Ordinance to the Federal Act on the Swiss National Bank (National Bank Ordinance, NBO) of 18 March 2004 authorise the SNB to collect the statistical data required for drawing up the balance of payments.

Reporting institutions

Pursuant to the Annex to the National Bank Ordinance, legal entities and companies are obliged to report data if the value of their foreign transactions during a given quarter exceeds CHF 100,000.

If several reporting institutions in the same group are domiciled in Switzerland or in Liechtenstein, the report should be submitted in aggregate form where possible. If it is not possible to submit an aggregated report for all group companies in Switzerland or Liechtenstein, this must be indicated in the report.

General remarks on the CAS survey

Content of the CAS survey

The current account survey CAS primarily covers trade in goods, services and intangible assets. It also includes investment income, insurance operations and miscellaneous transfers such as fines and penalties, and aid. The survey contents are broken down into different components. Detailed descriptions of the individual components can be found in the section Description of the individual components.

Only transactions between residents and non-residents are to be reported, i.e. between legal entities and companies domiciled in Switzerland or Liechtenstein and counterparties domiciled abroad (companies, governments, individuals, international organisations and non-governmental organisations). Transactions with non-resident companies which belong to the same group as the reporting institution are also to be reported. By contrast, transactions between non-resident companies and third parties are not to be reported.

A transaction involves an exchange of economic value between two entities or a transfer of economic value from one entity to another. As part of this interaction, there is a change of ownership in respect of the economic value.

The distinction between resident/non-resident is based on the counterparty’s country of domicile and not the place where the service or resource is provided. By definition, international organisations are considered non-resident even if they are domiciled in Switzerland or Liechtenstein.

The following are not to be reported in the survey:

  1. transactions between two residents, i.e. between two entities that are both domiciled in Switzerland or Liechtenstein;

  2. transactions between two non-residents, i.e. between two entities that are both domiciled abroad.

Country breakdown

All transactions are to be reported broken down by country (Definitions of countries and international organisations), i.e. they must be allocated to the country in which the counterparty is domiciled. All requirements concerning the geographical breakdown are based on EU guidelines (Eurostat).

Intragroup transactions

Transactions with non-resident companies which belong to the same group as the reporting institution are also to be reported. In most of the survey components, these are to be recorded as ‘of which’ items, in addition to the breakdown by country. Only the remuneration for the intragroup service or resource actually provided is to be reported. For instance, if payment for the intermediation of services is made on the basis of a ‘cost plus’ contract, only the amount paid for the intermediation should be reported, not the value of the services themselves. Overhead costs are to be broken down and allocated to the individual services components such as management consulting, financial services, or computer services.

Reporting period

The data reported cover one calendar quarter. Data for the second, third or fourth quarter must not be combined with data for the preceding quarters. Errors are to be rectified by submitting notification of the correction for the quarter concerned; it is not permitted to make retroactive corrective bookings for previous quarters in subsequent quarters.

Expenses and income / purchases and sales are to be reported in the period in which the economic ownership of the resource changes:

  1. In the case of purchases and sales of services, remuneration is to be reported in the period in which the service is provided or received.

  2. In the case of purchases and sales of intangible assets, remuneration is to be reported in the period in which ownership of the intangible assets changes.

  3. In the case of purchases and sales of goods, sales are to be reported in the period in which they took place. Goods purchases are to be reported in the period in which they were made.

For purchases and sales of goods, services or intangible assets, the decisive factor is always the time when the ownership changed.

Accounting standards

If a company applies a recognised accounting standard (e.g. IFRS, US GAAP or Swiss GAAP FER), the reported data should as a rule be based on that standard. Deviations are possible and may in certain cases be necessary (cf. Reporting period). Information about which standard is being used must be provided in the survey.

Estimates

Data estimates will be accepted as long as they made on a best efforts basis (‘best estimates’). Estimates may be necessary, for example in the following cases: breakdown of main components into sub-components, allocation of transactions to countries, distinction between quarters.

The SNB recommends using an allocation formula based on plausible assumptions. These allocation formulas can be used unchanged for several quarters, or even years, provided the underlying assumptions remain plausible. For queries and assistance relating to estimates or estimation methods, companies can contact the SNB.

General contractors

If a general contractor domiciled in Switzerland or Liechtenstein – i.e. a resident – uses a subcontractor domiciled abroad – i.e. a non-resident – to carry out (parts of) an order, the services provided by the non-resident subcontractor should be reported by the general contractor as services imports (expenses). If a resident general contractor uses a resident subcontractor to carry out (parts of) an order, the services provided by the resident subcontractor should not be reported by the general contractor. In both cases, it is irrelevant whether the general contractor has been given the order by a resident or a non-resident counterparty.

Valuation

As a rule, expenses and income / purchases and sales are to be reported in positive figures. Minus expenses and minus income may be reported as such with negative signs in the relevant components.

Values are to be reported in thousands of Swiss francs (TCHF).

Transactions in foreign currency are to be converted, at either the daily rate or the quarterly average exchange rate. The SNB publishes exchange rates on its data portal.

Transactions are to be reported at market prices (fair value).

Submission deadline

The submission deadline is one month after the end of the reporting quarter.

Queries and information

For questions regarding the content of the survey, please contact current.account@snb.ch, telephone +41 58 631 35 34.

For technical issues on data entry and submission using the online reporting tool eSurvey, please contact esurvey.support@snb.ch, telephone +41 58 631 37 68.

Introduction to data reporting

Data is collected using the online reporting tool eSurvey. Further information is available here.

Questions on your company

Every time you complete the survey, you must state whether other companies in the same group are domiciled in Switzerland or Liechtenstein. If this is the case, the companies’ names, domicile and enterprise identification numbers (UID) must be entered. In addition, you must state whether the foreign transactions of these other group companies are included in the report.

Wherever possible, all CH/LI-domiciled companies in the same group which have relevant transactions with counterparties abroad should be included in the report (cf. Reporting institutions). If an aggregated report for all affiliated companies in Switzerland and Liechtenstein is not possible, this must be indicated in the report. Relevant group companies which are not included will be surveyed by the SNB separately.

Overview of the survey contents and selection of components

Before inputting data, reporting institutions can select the components that are relevant for them. All components in which your company has conducted transactions with counterparties abroad during the reporting quarter are relevant. By selecting these components, only the corresponding web tables will be displayed or, in the case of an export (CSV), only the pre-selected components will be exported.

Special note for companies that purchase or sell goods abroad

Purchases and sales of goods are to be recorded in the current account survey if a change of ownership occurs. i.e. if as part of the transaction the ownership of the goods passes from the seller to the purchaser (change of ownership principle).

In the case of purchases and sales of goods, the goods may physically remain abroad or may physically cross the Swiss or Liechtenstein border. In the case of a physical import or export, the goods are registered by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS), irrespective of whether there was a change in the ownership of the goods (cross-border principle). Therefore, goods may cross the border without there being a direct link to a change of ownership. This is the case, for example, when goods are imported or exported for storage or further processing abroad. Such flows of goods without a change of ownership must not be included in the current account statistics.

If your company purchases goods from counterparties abroad or sells goods to counterparties abroad, please state whether the following applies before beginning to enter your data:

‘Some or all of the goods traded with counterparties abroad did not cross the Swiss or Liechtenstein border or the physical import or export of the goods was not always directly linked to a change of ownership.’

Ja

  1. Yes: All purchases and sales of goods from/to counterparties abroad are to be reported in the Purchases and sales of goods component, irrespective of whether individual goods crossed the Swiss or Liechtenstein border, and whether the import or export of individual goods was linked to a change of ownership.

Nein

  1. No: Purchases and sales of goods component need not be reported

If your company sold on goods, which were already abroad at the time of the sale, to a counterparty abroad, then the statement above applies and you should tick ‘yes’.

If your company imported/exported goods into/from Switzerland or Liechtenstein without a change in the ownership of the goods, then the statement above applies and you should tick ‘yes’.

If the statement above does not apply and you have ticked ‘no’, the purchases and sales of goods are already captured in the FOCBS statistics as required for the current account statistics and therefore do not have to be reported in the CAS survey.

Description of the individual components

Purchases and sales of goods

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

The purchase and sale of goods need only be reported if the following statement applies:

‘Some or all of the goods traded with counterparties abroad did not cross the Swiss or Liechtenstein border or the physical import or export of the goods was not always directly linked to a change of ownership.’

If the statement applies, all purchases and sales of goods from/to counterparties abroad are to be reported, irrespective of whether individual goods crossed the Swiss or Liechtenstein border and whether the import or export of individual goods was linked to a change of ownership.

General description

This component covers transactions in goods where the ownership of the goods passes from one counterparty to the other (change of ownership).

The goods can be general merchandise or goods associated with merchanting and/or production processes (raw materials, consumables, semi-finished products, finished products, etc.).

Purchases of goods and sales of goods are to be reported as totals, broken down by product class and by country.

The share accounted for by Merchanting, Procurement costs and Intragroup transactions are to be reported separately from the total as ‘of which’ subcomponents.

Detailed explanation

Sales of goods

Please report the sales price (sales proceeds) of goods sold to non-resident counterparties.

Purchases of goods

Please report the purchase price of goods bought from non-resident counterparties and expenses for raw materials and consumables using the total cost method, and not the cost of goods sold using the cost of sales method.

Wherever possible, procurement costs are to be excluded from the purchases of goods and included under the corresponding services components (e.g. under ‘Transport services’).

If it is not possible to separate the procurement costs from the purchase price, please give your best estimate of their share in the total price and report this under the ‘of which, procurement costs’ subcomponent.

Please ensure that the procurement costs are not reported twice, i.e. that they are not reported under both the individual services components and under ‘Purchases of goods’.

Merchanting (‘of which’ item)

Merchanting is defined as the purchase of goods by a resident from a non-resident, such goods being located outside Switzerland/Liechtenstein, combined with the subsequent resale of the same goods to another non-resident without the goods having been present in Switzerland/Liechtenstein or transformed or processed abroad.

Such transactions can occur in the case of trading companies and also companies involved in production (e.g. in the form of contract manufacturing).

Cf. chart on Merchanting.

If the share accounted for by ‘Merchanting’ cannot be determined exactly, please give your best estimate of the share in goods income/expenses.

The following are not considered merchanting:

  1. Trade in goods related to toll manufacturing, since such goods are processed further

  2. Commodity futures as financial derivatives without physical delivery: payments for exchange-traded commodity futures and options as well as payments for OTC commodity derivatives (e.g. premiums, margin payments and variation margins) are regarded as transactions associated with financial derivatives. Such transactions are not included in this survey.

Procurement costs

Remuneration for transport, postage, packaging, insurance, etc. Wherever possible, these are to be excluded from goods expenses and reported under the corresponding services components:

  1. Transport → ‘Freight transport’

  2. Postage → ‘Postal and courier services’

  3. Packaging → ‘Supporting and auxiliary transport services’

  4. Insurance → ‘Insurance operations’

  5. etc.

If it is not possible to separate the procurement costs from the goods expenses, please give your best estimate of their share in the goods expenses and report this under the ‘of which, procurement costs’ component.

Please ensure that the procurement costs are not reported twice, i.e. that they are not reported under both the individual services components and under goods expenses.

Goods procured in ports

Purchases and sales of goods procured in ports are also to be reported under this component. Such goods include fuel, on-board catering, provisions, stores, ballast, and dunnage procured in (air)ports by transport operators.

Product classes

Goods income and goods expenses are to be allocated to product classes. The following classification of products is based on the CPA structure of the European Union.

1.

Food, beverages and tobacco products; agricultural and forestry products (CPA 01–03, 10–12)

2.

Textiles, wearing apparel, leather and related products (CPA 13–15)

3.

Energy sources and mining/quarrying products (crude petroleum, natural gas, coal and lignite, metal ores, other mining/quarrying products, coke and refined petroleum products, electricity, etc.; CPA 05–09, 19, 35)

4.

Chemicals and chemical products (CPA 20)

5.

Pharmaceutical products and preparations (CPA 21)

6.

Basic metals and metal products (except gold, coins, machinery; CPA 24–25, excluding 24.412)

7.

Gold (including gold coins; CPA 24.412)

8.

Computer, electronic and optical products; medical and dental instruments and supplies (CPA 26 excluding 26.52, 32.5)

9.

Electrical equipment (domestic appliances, lighting equipment, wiring and wiring devices, etc.; CPA 27)

10.

Machinery and equipment (CPA 28)

11.

Vehicles and other transport equipment (CPA 29–30)

12.

Watches and clocks (CPA 26.52)

13.

Coins (except gold coins), jewellery and related articles (CPA 32.1)

14.

Other product classes

Examples

  1. General merchandise: A Swiss-domiciled trading company buys office furniture from a Chinese-domiciled company (purchase of goods). A Liechtenstein-domiciled trading company sells designer clothes to an Austrian-domiciled company (sale of goods).

  2. Goods trade associated with production processes: A Swiss-domiciled manufacturing company buys raw materials from an Italian-domiciled firm (purchase of goods) for the manufacturing of a product. The product manufactured by the Swiss-domiciled company is sold to a French-domiciled company (sale of goods).

  3. Merchanting: A Swiss-domiciled merchant buys crude oil from a Kazakhstan-domiciled company (purchase of goods) and sells this to a Luxembourg-domiciled company (sale of goods), without the crude oil being transformed and physically imported into or exported from Switzerland/Liechtenstein.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Expenses and income for production and manufacturing services on goods → Production and manufacturing services on goods

  2. Services related to merchanting or other goods trading:

    1. Insurance costs → ‘Insurance operations’

    2. Marketing costs → Marketing, advertising and market research

    3. Commissions → Trade-related services

    4. Charges for licences to use marketing assets

  3. Goods trade related to financial leasing → Financial leasing

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Goods where there is no change of ownership

  2. Purchases and sales of goods consumed or acquired by travellers while on visits abroad

  3. Commodity futures as financial derivatives without physical delivery

Special features

If it is not possible to report the goods expenses using the total cost method, they can by way of exception also be reported using the cost of sales method.


Chart: Merchanting
Transithandel


Production and manufacturing services on goods

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for the manufacture or processing of goods. The manufacturing/processing is performed by a company that is not the owner of the goods to be processed and that receives remuneration from the owner for the production or manufacturing service provided. There is no change in the ownership of the goods.

Detailed explanation

Manufacturing, production

Manufacturing/production includes:

  1. processing, manufacture of goods (raw materials, semi-finished products, finished products)

  2. toll manufacturing, toll processing, tolling of goods

  3. cover processing, assembly and finishing of goods

  4. labelling, packing of goods

Value to be reported

Please report the manufacturing and production costs charged by the manufacturer/producer in the period in which the service or resource is provided or received. Materials expenses are to be reported in the component ‘Purchases and sales of goods’. If it is not possible to separate the materials expenses from the service, the amount is to be included here.

Examples

  1. Income: Inward processing. A Swiss-domiciled refinery receives crude oil from a UK-domiciled company to refine it into petroleum products. The Swiss-domiciled refinery receives remuneration in return (income). The finished products are sold by the UK-domiciled firm to residents and non-residents. The Swiss-domiciled refinery does not become the owner of the crude oil or the refined petroleum products (no purchase and sale in the Purchases and sales of goods component).

  2. Expenses: Outward processing. A Swiss-domiciled company delivers parts to a factory in France for the manufacture of finished products. The factory in France manufactures the finished products and charges the Swiss-domiciled company manufacturing fees (expenses in this component). The Swiss-domiciled company remains the owner of the parts (no sale in the ‘Purchases and sales of goods’ component). In addition to this, the Swiss-domiciled company buys materials abroad in this respect (purchase in the ‘Purchases and sales of goods’ component). The finished products are sold by the Swiss-domiciled company to non-resident customers (sale in the Purchases and sales of goods component).

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Purchases and sales of goods (with change of ownership) → Purchases and sales of goods

  2. Materials expenses may only be included if they cannot be separated from the service; please avoid reporting the materials expenses twice.

  3. Packing services relating to transport → Supporting and auxiliary transport services

  4. Assembly work in construction → Construction services

  5. Waste treatment and depollution services

Special features

The customer remains the owner of the goods to be processed throughout the manufacturing/production process. There is no change in the ownership of the goods.


Trade-related services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for brokerage in connection with trade in goods and services and for the inspection of goods.

Detailed explanation

Brokerage

Commissions on goods and service transactions payable to merchants, commercial agents, dealers in consumer and capital goods, auctioneers, commission agents and goods inspectors.

These services include, for example, the auctioneer’s fee or agent’s commission on sales of ships, aircraft and other goods.

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled goods inspector performs certification of a goods delivery for an Italian-domiciled trading company.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company commissions a French-domiciled real estate agent to broker the sale of a commercial property in Switzerland.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Brokerage on financial instruments → Financial services

  2. Transport-related brokerage services → Transport services

Special features

none


Maintenance and repair services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for maintenance and repair work by companies domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein on goods owned by non-resident counterparties and vice versa (except real estate and computers).

Detailed explanation

Maintenance and repair services

This component covers both minor repairs that maintain the good in working order, such as vehicle breakdown services, and major repairs that extend the efficiency or capacity of the good or extend its life.

Maintenance and repairs of ships, aircraft and other transport equipment are also included in this component.

Place where work is performed

The maintenance and repair work may be performed at the site of the repairer or elsewhere. The decisive factor in determining whether a transaction is reportable is not the place where the work is performed, but rather the fact that it is with a non-resident, i.e. a counterparty not domiciled in Switzerland or Liechtenstein.

Value to be reported

Please report the amount charged for maintenance and repairs covering both the value of the work done and any parts or materials supplied by the repairer, rather than the difference in the gross value of the goods before and after repairs.

Parts and materials charged separately are to be included under ‘Purchases and sales of goods’.

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled engineering company performs maintenance work on a turbine in the Middle East for a Turkish-domiciled company. The turbine is owned by the Turkish-domiciled company.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled airline pays remuneration to a German-domiciled company for repairing an aircraft. The aircraft is owned by the Swiss-domiciled airline.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Cleaning of transport equipment → Supporting and auxiliary transport services

  2. Construction maintenance and repairs → Construction services

  3. Maintenance and repairs of IT infrastructure → Computer services

Special features

none


Transport services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for services associated with the carriage of goods and people as well as related supporting and auxiliary services. Postal and courier services are also included.

Detailed explanation

Freight transport

Freight transport covers the transport of goods, including the leasing of transport equipment with crew.

Please report the following:

  1. Income arising from transport provided by a company domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein on behalf of a counterparty domiciled abroad.

  2. Expenses for transport provided on behalf of a company domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein by a company domiciled abroad.

It is irrelevant where the service is provided: the goods may be transported within Switzerland/Liechtenstein, within or between other countries, or between Switzerland/Liechtenstein and other countries.

Passenger transport

Passenger transport covers the transport of people, including the leasing of transport equipment with crew.

Please report the following:

  1. Income arising from the transport of persons domiciled abroad by transport companies that are domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein, provided the transport takes place across international borders or abroad.

  2. Expenses for the transport of persons domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein by transport companies that are domiciled abroad, provided the transport does not take place exclusively in the country of domicile of the transport company.

Not to be reported:

  1. Transport within Switzerland/Liechtenstein of non-CH/LI-domiciled persons by a CH/LI-domiciled transport company.

  2. Transport of CH/LI-domiciled persons by a non-CH/LI-domiciled transport company within the country of domicile of the transport company.

The value to be reported comprises fares and other expenditure related to the carriage of passengers, e.g. taxes, charges for excess baggage, vehicles, or other personal accompanying effects and food, drink, or other items purchased on board carriers.

Also included are rentals, charters, and leases of vessels, aircraft, coaches, or other commercial vehicles with crews, provided these are not financial leases.

Supporting and auxiliary transport services

Supporting and auxiliary transport services are other services that are not directly provided for the carriage of goods and persons. This includes cargo handling charges billed separately from freight, storage and warehousing, packing, towing, pilotage and navigational aid for carriers, air traffic control, cleaning performed in ports and airports on transport equipment, salvage operations, and agents’ fees associated with passenger and freight transport.

Postal and courier services

Postal and courier services cover the pick-up, transport, and delivery of packages, letters, newspapers, periodicals, brochures and other printed matter, as well as post office counter services such as the sale of stamps and mailbox rental services.

Mode of transport

Freight and passenger transport as well as related supporting and auxiliary services are to be broken down by mode of transport:

  1. air

  2. rail

  3. road

  4. sea

  5. inland waterway

  6. pipeline

  7. electricity transmission

  8. space

If the modes of transport cannot be broken down, please give your best estimate of their share.

Air transport

This component covers all transport services provided by air.

Rail transport

This component covers transport by train.

Road transport

This component covers freight transport by lorry and truck and passenger transport by bus and car (including taxi services).

Sea transport

This component covers transport by sea.

Inland waterway transport

This component covers transport on rivers, canals and lakes. This includes waterways that are internal to one country and those that are shared among two or more countries.

Electricity transmission over high-voltage grid

This component only covers remuneration for the movement or transfer of electric energy at high voltage over the high-voltage grid. The generation, distribution over the low-voltage grid, and the value of the electricity are excluded.

Pipeline transport

This component covers the transport in pipelines of gas, petroleum and other goods. The provision and distribution as well as the value of the goods transported are excluded.

Space transport

This component covers the transport of freight and passengers in space. Also included are satellite launches undertaken by commercial enterprises for the owners of the satellites (such as telecommunication enterprises) and other operations performed by operators of space equipment, such as transport of goods and people for scientific experiments.

Examples

Freight transport (expenses): A Swiss-domiciled company pays a Belgian-domiciled shipping company for the transport of freight from Rotterdam to New York.

Passenger transport (income): A Swiss-domiciled airline transports a UK-domiciled citizen from Zurich to Delhi.

Supporting and auxiliary transport services (expenses): A Swiss-domiciled railway operator pays fees to a German-domiciled railway operator for use of the rail network in Germany.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Leasing (rental) and charters of transport equipment, without crew → Operating leasing

  2. Rentals or charters that are financial leases → Financial leasing

  3. Maintenance and repair of transport equipment → Maintenance and repair services

  4. Distribution of electricity, water, gas and petroleum products to end-consumers → Other services

  5. Financial services rendered by postal administration entities → Financial services

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Tourism services, e.g. cruises as well as non-cross-border flights, bus, rail and taxi travel abroad or within Switzerland/Liechtenstein

Special features

  1. Transport services are to be distinguished from tourism-related services. Tourism-related services are not included in this survey.


Operating leasing, financial leasing, and use of natural resources

Operating leasing

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for leasing (rental) and charters of produced assets where the bulk of the risks and rewards of ownership are not transferred to the lessee. The transaction has rental characteristics, and the investment risk as well as the legal and economic ownership rights are held by the lessor.

Detailed explanation

Leased assets

This component covers the leasing (rental) and charters of the following:

  1. Transport equipment such as ships, aircraft, railway cars, containers and rigs, without crew

  2. Plant and equipment of all kinds without an operator, including computers and telecommunications (excluding telecommunications lines)

  3. Dwellings and other buildings as well as exhibition booths at trade fairs

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled cargo company leases containers for a freight consignment to a German-domiciled merchandise trader.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled airline charters an aircraft without crew on a one-off basis from a US-domiciled airline.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Leasing (rental) of transport equipment with crew → Freight transport or Passenger transport

  2. Leasing of telecommunications lines → Telecommunications services

  3. Remuneration for the use of land and other natural resources → Use of natural resources

  4. Charges and commissions related to financial leasing → Financial services

  5. Leasing transactions with characteristics of a loan → Financial leasing

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Rental of dwellings (accommodation) and vehicles to non-residents during their visits to the territory of the service provider

Special features

Operating leasing and financial leasing are to be reported separately from one another. The criteria for distinguishing between the two forms of leasing can be found in the table Distinction between operating leasing and financial leasing.


Financial leasing

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for leasing (rental) and charters of produced assets where the bulk of the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the lessee. The transaction has characteristics of a loan, and the investment risk and economic ownership rights (but not the legal ownership rights) are held by the lessee.

The interest payments associated with the financial leasing are to be included, as is the value of the right-of-use asset at the time the lease contract is concluded.

Detailed explanation

Interest payments

The regular interest payments paid for the use of the leased asset are to be reported.

Value of leased asset

The value of the right-of-use asset is to be included once in the survey as at the start of the lease relationship between the lessor and lessee.

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled leasing company leases capital goods to a Spanish-domiciled manufacturing company and receives interest for the financial leasing. Both the interest payments and the value of the newly leased assets in the reporting period are to be reported.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company pays interest to a French-domiciled leasing company for the lease of a fleet of vehicles. If the leasing contract was concluded in a reporting period in the past, only the interest payment is to be reported and not the value of the leased asset.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Charges and commissions related to financial leasing that are not interest payments → Financial services

  2. Leasing transactions with rental characteristics → Operating leasing

  3. Remuneration for the use of land and other natural resources → Use of natural resources

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Rental of dwellings (accommodation) and vehicles to non-residents during their visits to the territory of the service provider

Special features

Operating leasing and financial leasing are to be reported separately from one another. The criteria for distinguishing between the two forms of leasing can be found in the following table Distinction between operating leasing and financial leasing.


Table: Distinction between operating leasing and financial leasing

Criterion

Operating leasing: rental characteristics

Financial leasing: loan characteristics

Term of lease

short-term

long-term, covering the major part of the economic life of the right-to-use asset

Purchase option/transfer of ownership at the end of the lease term

no

yes

Lessor has an interest in recovering the right-to-use asset

yes

no

Cancellable

yes

usually not

Legal ownership

lessor

lessor

Economic ownership

lessor

lessee

Investment risk

lessor

lessee

Capitalised in the balance sheet

lessor

lessee

Remuneration for measures taken to maintain value (maintenance and repairs, insurance)

lessor

lessee


Use of natural resources

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers charges for licences and other remuneration for the use of land, mines, oil fields, forestry rights, water and fishing rights, and rights to air space.

Detailed explanation

–

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled company owns an oil well in another country and grants the right to use it to a UK-domiciled company.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled mining company pays fees to a German-domiciled company for the use of a coal mine.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Charges for licences to use intangible assets arising from R&D

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Purchase and sale of natural resources

Special features

none


Construction services (construction less than one year)

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for the construction of and construction work on structures of all kinds, including management and other services related to construction projects (e.g. remuneration for construction workers) where construction is not scheduled to take more than one year.

Detailed explanation

Construction work

Construction work on structures includes the following:

  1. construction

  2. renovation, maintenance

  3. installation

  4. plumbing

  5. demolition

Duration of construction

The duration of construction is the decisive factor. This survey includes only construction services for construction projects where construction is not scheduled to take more than one year. Projects lasting one year or longer have the characteristics of an investment and are therefore not to be reported as services. Preparation work carried out before construction begins is not to be included in the duration of construction.

Purchases and sales of goods related to construction projects

Remuneration for construction materials, equipment, expendables, etc. Wherever possible, these expenses and income are to be excluded from the construction services and included under Purchases and sales of goods.

If purchases and sales of goods related to construction projects cannot reasonably be separated from the construction services, please give your best estimate for the share they account for in construction services and report this under ‘Purchases and sales of goods related to construction projects’.

Please ensure that purchases and sales of goods related to construction projects are not reported twice, i.e. that they are not reported under both trade in goods and construction services.

Construction sites abroad

Income: Remuneration for construction services (with construction taking less than one year) performed by a CH/LI-domiciled construction company for a non-CH/LI-domiciled client on a construction site not in Switzerland/Liechtenstein.

Expenses: Remuneration for construction services (with construction taking less than one year) performed by a non-CH/LI-domiciled construction company for a CH/LI-domiciled client on a construction site not in Switzerland/Liechtenstein.

Construction sites in Switzerland/Liechtenstein

Income: Remuneration for construction services (with construction taking less than one year) performed by a CH/LI-domiciled construction company for a non-CH/LI-domiciled client on a construction site in Switzerland/Liechtenstein.

Expenses: Remuneration for construction services (with construction taking less than one year) performed by a non-CH/LI-domiciled construction company for a CH/LI-domiciled client on a construction site in Switzerland/Liechtenstein.

Examples

Construction services for construction sites abroad (income): A Swiss-domiciled construction company builds a section of motorway in Italy for an Italian-domiciled client (with construction taking less than one year).

Construction services for construction sites abroad (expenses): A Liechtenstein-domiciled construction company subcontracts part of an order for the construction of an office complex in Munich to a German-domiciled company (with construction taking less than one year).

Construction services for construction sites in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (income): A Swiss-domiciled construction company renovates a building in Berne for a Belgian-domiciled client (with construction taking less than one year).

Construction services for construction sites in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (expenses): A Swiss-domiciled client commissions a French-domiciled construction company to demolish a bridge in Switzerland (with construction taking less than one year).

Exclusions

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Construction projects where construction is scheduled to take more than a year are not included in this survey

Special features

  1. The distinction between the subcomponents ‘Construction sites abroad’ and ‘Construction sites in Switzerland/Liechtenstein’ is determined by the location of the construction site, i.e. whether it is in Switzerland/Liechtenstein or not. However, the country breakdown of expenses and income is based on the country of domicile of the client, and not on the location of the construction site.

  2. General contractors: If a general contractor domiciled in Switzerland or Liechtenstein – i.e. a resident – uses a subcontractor domiciled abroad – i.e. a non-resident – to carry out (parts of) an order, the services provided by the non-resident subcontractor should be reported by the general contractor as services imports (expenses). It is irrelevant whether the contract is being performed for a resident or non-resident client.


Architectural, engineering, other technical, and waste treatment services

Architectural services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for services generally provided by architecture companies, such as, for example, the architectural design of urban development projects and other construction projects.

Detailed explanation

–

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled architecture firm is commissioned by an Italian-domiciled company to draw up architectural designs for the construction of a museum in Milan.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company commissions a German-domiciled architecture firm to design an office complex.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Construction to realise an architectural design → Construction services (provided construction takes less than one year)

Special features

none


Engineering services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for the design and development of machinery and equipment, materials, instruments, structures, processes and systems; provision of designs, plans and studies related to engineering projects.

Detailed explanation

–

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled engineering firm develops a production process for the manufacture of plastics for a French-domiciled company.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled construction company obtains technical advice from an Austrian-domiciled engineering company in connection with a tunnelling project.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Mining engineering → Other technical services

  2. Construction services

Special features

none


Other technical services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for agricultural and mining services, for technical studies and inspections, and for the testing and certification of products.

Detailed explanation

Agricultural services

These include, for example, the provision of agricultural machinery with crew, harvesting and treatment of crops, pest control, animal boarding, animal care and breeding services (including veterinary services), as well as services in hunting, trapping, forestry and logging, and fishing.

Mining services

These include services rendered at oil and gas fields, such as drilling, derrick building, repair and dismantling services, and the cementing of oil and gas well casings. Also included are services incidental to mineral prospecting and exploration, mining engineering, and geological surveying.

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled land surveying company is commissioned by an Italian-domiciled client to gather geodata in the high Alpine region.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company commissions a French-domiciled firm to perform certification of a production process.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Inspection of goods → Trade-related services

Special features

none


Waste treatment and depollution services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for waste collection and disposal, remediation, sanitation, and other environmental protection services. They also include environmental services, such as production of carbon offsets or carbon sequestration.

Detailed explanation

–

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled recycling firm recycles used PET bottles for an Austrian-domiciled company.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company pays a German-domiciled firm to dispose of hazardous waste.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Purchases and sales of goods

  2. Processing of goods → Production and manufacturing services on goods

Special features

none


Management consulting, marketing, advertising, legal services, accounting services, and corporate functions

Management consulting and public relations

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for the provision of advice, guidance, or operational assistance to businesses and management for business policy and strategy and the overall planning, structuring and control of an organisation.

Detailed explanation

Management consulting and public relations

These advisory and support services include:

  1. internal auditing and management auditing

  2. consulting in market management, production management, human resources management and project management

  3. advisory, guidance and operational services related to improving the image of the clients and their relations with the general public.

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled consultancy firm provides PR advice to a Swedish-domiciled group.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company commissions a UK-domiciled consultancy firm to provide support in the development and implementation of a new business strategy.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Tax advice → Accounting and tax consulting services

  2. Financial advice → Financial services

  3. Marketing activities → Marketing, advertising and market research

  4. Legal advice → Legal services

  5. Support services provided for the group (e.g. transport, accounting, marketing, etc.) should generally be included under the corresponding component

  6. Other management fees from/to group-affiliated companies → Corporate functions

Special features

none


Marketing, advertising and market research

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for services in marketing, advertising, market research and public opinion polling.

Detailed explanation

Marketing, advertising and market research

These services include:

  1. design, creation and marketing of advertisements by advertising agencies

  2. media placement (including the purchase and sale of advertising space)

  3. exhibition services in association with congresses, trade fairs and events (including organisation)

  4. marketing and promotion of products in Switzerland/Liechtenstein and abroad

  5. market research, telemarketing and public opinion polling

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled advertising agency is commissioned by a French-domiciled manufacturing company to promote its products.

Expenses: A Liechtenstein-domiciled market research institute commissions a German-domiciled call centre to conduct opinion polls.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Public relations work → Management consulting and public relations

Special features

none


Legal services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for:

  1. advice and representation services in any legal and judicial proceedings

  2. drafting legal documentation and instruments

  3. certification and authentication

  4. arbitration

  5. custodianship

  6. registration, administration and maintenance of intangible assets if performed by law firms or patent offices

Detailed explanation

–

Examples

Income: A Liechtenstein-domiciled law firm represents a UK-domiciled group in a legal dispute in Switzerland.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company commissions a US-domiciled law firm to negotiate contracts with third parties.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Fines and penalties → Fines, penalties and payments of compensation

  2. Compensation payments and settlements → Fines, penalties and payments of compensation, or → Guarantees, player transfers, debt forgiveness, inheritances (legacies) and payments of compensation for extensive damages

  3. Tax advice → Accounting and tax consulting services

  4. Financial advice → Financial services

  5. Administration and investment of fiduciary funds → Financial services

Special features

none


Accounting and tax consulting services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for services in accounting, auditing, bookkeeping and tax consulting.

Detailed explanation

Accounting and tax consulting services

These services include:

  1. recording of commercial transactions

  2. examination services of accounting records and financial statements

  3. advice on the recording of business transactions

  4. tax planning and consulting

  5. preparation of tax documents

Examples

Income: A Liechtenstein-domiciled firm of auditors audits the accounts of an Austrian-domiciled company.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company pays a UK-domiciled consultancy firm for tax advice.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Management consulting → Management consulting and public relations

Special features

none


Corporate functions

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers fees for services to/from group-affiliated companies that facilitate and support core business processes at companies and which cannot be allocated to another component.

Detailed explanation

Overhead expenses

Overheads of group-affiliated companies, provided they cannot be allocated to any other component.

Others

Services between group-affiliated companies that cannot be allocated to any other component include:

  1. administration (e.g. management fees)

  2. planning

  3. organisation

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled parent company receives remuneration from a French-domiciled subsidiary for administration and planning services provided.

Expenses: A Liechtenstein-domiciled subsidiary pays overheads to its Luxembourg-domiciled parent company.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component if they can be separated:

  1. Management consulting and public relations

  2. Marketing, advertising and market research

  3. Legal services

  4. Accounting and tax consulting services

Special features

none


Financial services (not to be reported by banks)

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for financial intermediation services and associated auxiliary services. Such services can be provided by banks, stock exchanges, factoring companies, credit card companies, and other companies.

Detailed explanation

Financial service activities

Please report commissions, brokerage fees and charges, particularly related to:

  1. deposit taking and lending, letters of credit (credit brokerage, operating/custody account fees, credit rating services)

  2. management of financial investments

  3. securities underwriting, securities trading and settlement

  4. financial advisory services

  5. custody of financial investments or assets (e.g. precious metals)

  6. management and investment of fiduciary funds

  7. credit card services

  8. financial leasing (not interest payments)

  9. factoring, underwriting and clearing of payments

  10. liquidity provision services

  11. risk assumption services (other than insurance)

  12. mergers and acquisitions

  13. stock exchange services

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled holding company brokers a credit for a French-domiciled subsidiary. The holding company receives a credit brokerage fee from the subsidiary.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company pays remuneration to a US-domiciled bank for securities settlement services.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Insurance services → ‘Insurance operations’

  2. Investment income and expenses from financial leasing → Financial leasing

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Investment income and expenses (excluding financial leasing), e.g. interest payments or dividends

  2. Pension fund services

Special features

Some companies have the sole or predominant function of holding and managing financial assets on behalf of their owners (such as mutual funds, holding companies, trusts and special purpose entities).

In the process of managing those assets, these companies incur administrative expenses, such as payments to fund managers, custodians, banks, accountants, lawyers, or their own staff.

The expenses can be charged for explicitly as a fee, or implicitly by being paid out of investment income received or out of the assets of the company. The expenses implicitly paid for should, if possible, also be reported under financial services.


Banking operations (only to be reported by banks)

Financial services of companies that do not have a banking licence but are included in the reports of a reporting bank are also to be included in the ‘Banking operations’ components.

Commission business and services (only to be reported by banks)

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for financial intermediation services as well as associated auxiliary services in securities trading and investment activities, lending activities and other services.

Detailed explanation

Commission income and expenses

Please report commissions, brokerage fees and charges, particularly related to:

  1. Securities trading and investment activities

    1. Custodian fees, brokerage fees, income from coupons

    2. Commissions from asset management activities

    3. Retrocessions

    4. Commissions from fiduciary transactions

    5. Investment advisory commissions

    6. Commissions from estate planning, company formation and tax advisory services

  2. Lending activities

    1. Stand-by, guarantee, letter of credit confirmation commissions

    2. Advisory commissions

  3. Other services

    1. Rent for safe deposit boxes

    2. Payment transaction commissions

    3. Income from the collection of bills of exchange

    4. Documentary collection commissions

    5. Other commissions and fees associated with financial intermediation services

Commission expenses incurred abroad and charged to customers domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein

Commission expenses incurred abroad and charged to customers domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein are (additionally) to be reported as an ‘of which’ component of overall commission expenses.

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled bank receives commissions for asset management and securities settlement services performed for a German-domiciled client.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled bank pays fees to its French-domiciled subsidiary for financial intermediation services.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Investment income and expenses such as interest and dividend payments → Interest operations

  2. Investment income and expenses from financial leasing → Financial leasing

  3. Services of insurance corporations → ‘Insurance operations’

Special features

none


Income from banks’ trading operations for non-resident customers (only to be reported by banks)

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

Income earned by a bank acting as a broker on behalf of non-resident bank customers and which is not remunerated as commissions is to be reported. Such trading operations relate, in particular, to trading in securities, foreign exchange, commodities and precious metals.

Detailed explanation

Calculation

The income can be calculated using a reference rate, which is defined as the mean price between the purchase and sale prices:

Spread between the reference rate and the purchase price
= Remuneration generated by the purchaser
+ Spread between the reference rate and the sale price
= Remuneration generated by the seller

The spread between the reference rate and the purchase price corresponds to the bank’s income on the purchaser’s side. The spread between the reference rate and the sale price corresponds to the bank’s income on the seller’s side.

Estimation methods

In the event that estimates are made, the following method is recommended:

Income = (average trading margin) x (trading volume)

Example

A Liechtenstein-domiciled bank acts as a broker for a German-domiciled client trading in securities. The income earned is not reported by the bank as commission business.

Exclusions

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Valuation gains or losses

  2. Net trading income from proprietary trading

Special features

none


Interest operations (only to be reported by banks)

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers the following components:

  1. Interest and discount income

  2. Interest and dividend income from trading operations and financial investments

  3. Interest expenses

Detailed explanation

Interest and discount income

This component includes:

  1. interest income from claims against non-resident banks

  2. interest income from claims against non-resident customers

  3. other interest and discount income:

    1. lending commissions deemed to be an interest component

    2. income from discounting bills of exchange

    3. income from refinancing trading positions, provided this is charged to the item ‘Result from trading operations’

    4. similar components directly linked to interest operations

Interest expenses

This component includes:

  1. interest expenses on liabilities towards non-resident banks

  2. interest expenses on liabilities towards non-resident customers

  3. other interest expenses:

    1. other interest-like expenses

    2. interest on subordinated loans

    3. interest on mortgages in favour of third parties secured by real estate owned by the bank, including the interest components of real estate finance lease instalments

Interest and dividend income from trading operations and financial investments

Interest and dividend income from trading operations is to be reported only if the bank does not offset this income against the cost of refinancing trading positions.

Income is to be reported broken down by financial instrument:

  1. Fixed-interest securities (including money market instruments)

  2. Equity securities

  3. Other

Examples

–

Exclusions

–

Special features

  1. Negative interest from claims is to be reported as negative income.

  2. Negative interest from liabilities is to be reported as negative expenses.


Insurance operations (not to be reported by insurance corporations)

Premiums and claims (not to be reported by insurance corporations)

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers expenses and income relating to premium payments and claims between companies domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein, i.e. residents, and insurance corporations domiciled abroad, i.e. non-residents.

Detailed explanation

Premium payments

Premium payments by policyholders domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein to insurance corporations domiciled abroad (expenses).

Claims

Claims paid by non-resident insurance corporations to resident policyholders (income).

Examples

Premium payments (expenses): A Swiss-domiciled company pays a French-domiciled insurance corporation premiums for transport insurance.

Claims (income): A Swiss-domiciled credit card issuer receives claim payments from a Danish-domiciled non-life insurance corporation.

Exclusions

Not to be included in this component:

  1. Remuneration for insurance and pension fund operations → Auxiliary insurance services

Special features

none


Auxiliary insurance services (not to be reported by insurance corporations)

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for services related to insurance and pension fund operations.

Detailed explanation

Auxiliary insurance services

These services include above all:

  1. brokering

  2. insurance and pension consultancy services

  3. evaluation and loss adjustment services

  4. actuarial services

  5. actuarial advice

  6. salvage administration services

  7. regulatory and monitoring services on indemnities

  8. recovery services

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled insurance specialist is paid a fee to provide actuarial advisory services for an Indian-domiciled insurance corporation.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company pays a fee to a Belgian-domiciled insurance corporation for insurance consultancy services.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Transport costs of salvage operations → Transport services

  2. Premiums and claims

Special features

none


Insurance operations (only to be reported by insurance corporations)

Data from companies that are not insurance corporations but are included in the reports of a reporting insurance corporation are also to be reported here.

Premium payments (only to be reported by insurance corporations)

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers income and expenses from the premium business of private insurance corporations:

  1. direct insurance

  2. reinsurance

  3. pension funds

Premium payments are to be allocated to a specific line of insurance (reinsurance, life, non-life).

Detailed explanation

Premiums from non-residents (income)

Premiums earned from direct insurance and/or reinsurance operations with non-residents (premiums written adjusted for prepayments of premiums).

Premium payments to non-residents (expenses)

Premiums paid to non-resident insurance corporations (adjusted for prepayments of premiums). These mostly take the form of retrocessions in connection with reinsurance operations.

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled reinsurance company receives premiums for the reinsurance of insurance contracts abroad.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled pension fund pays premiums for reinsurance contracts to a reinsurer abroad.

Exclusions

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Premiums earned abroad by non-resident subsidiaries and branch offices

  2. Transactions in connection with the acquisition or disposal of portfolios

Special features

none


Claims (only to be reported by insurance corporations)

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers income and expenses from claims paid by private insurance corporations:

  1. direct insurance

  2. reinsurance

  3. pension funds

Claims are to be allocated to a specific line of insurance (reinsurance, life, non-life).

Detailed explanation

Claims payments from non-residents

Claims paid by non-resident reinsurers to resident insurance corporations resulting from reinsurance ceded (including changes in the claims reserves and in the actuarial reserves).

Claims paid to non-residents

Claims paid to non-resident counterparties resulting from direct insurance and from reinsurance (including changes in the claims and equalisation reserves).

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled insurance corporation receives claim payments from a reinsurance corporation domiciled abroad.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled reinsurance corporation increases its claims reserves due to an earthquake in the US.

Exclusions

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Claim payments made to clients by non-resident branches and subsidiaries.

  2. Transactions in connection with the acquisition or disposal of portfolios.

Special features

  1. Liquidated reserves for claims received from non-residents are to be reported as negative income.

  2. Liquidated reserves for claims paid to non-residents are to be reported as negative expenses.


Auxiliary insurance services (only to be reported by insurance corporations)

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for services related to insurance and pension fund operations.

Auxiliary insurance services are to be allocated to a specific line of insurance (reinsurance, life, non-life).

Detailed explanation

Auxiliary insurance services

These services include above all:

  1. insurance and pension consultancy services

  2. evaluation and loss adjustment services

  3. actuarial services

  4. actuarial advice

  5. salvage administration services

  6. regulatory and monitoring services on indemnities

  7. recovery services

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled insurance corporation advises an Austrian-domiciled corporation.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled insurance corporation pays a UK-domiciled company for client referrals.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Transport costs of salvage operations → Transport services

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Pension fund services

  2. Transactions in connection with the acquisition or disposal of portfolios

Special features

none


Commissions (only to be reported by insurance corporations)

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers fees for the brokering of clients, insurance contracts, etc.

Commissions are to be allocated to a specific line of insurance (reinsurance, life, non-life).

Detailed explanation

Commissions from non-residents

Resident direct insurers’ (ceding company) income from non-resident reinsurers.

Commissions paid to non-residents

Resident reinsurers’ expenses paid to non-resident direct insurers (ceding companies).

Examples

Income: A French-domiciled reinsurer indemnifies a Swiss-domiciled direct insurance corporation for brokering insurance contracts.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled reinsurer compensates a Slovenian-domiciled insurance corporation for brokering insurance contracts.

Exclusions

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Transactions in connection with the acquisition or disposal of portfolios

Special features

none


Investment income earned on premiums from abroad (only to be reported by insurance corporations)

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers Swiss and foreign investment income earned on premiums from non-residents.

Investment income earned on premiums from abroad is to be allocated to a specific line of insurance (reinsurance, life, non-life).

Detailed explanation

Premiums from non-residents

Only investment income earned on premiums from policyholders domiciled abroad is to be reported. It is irrelevant whether the premiums are invested in Switzerland/Liechtenstein or abroad.

Investments

Income on investments covers interest and dividends on securities or rent, etc.

Example

Income: A reinsurer invests premiums from the US in apartments in Switzerland, generating rental income.

Exclusions

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Realised and unrealised capital gains and losses due to changing prices of an investment (such as share price and exchange rate movements)

  2. Swiss and foreign investment income not earned on premiums from non-residents

  3. Investment income from abroad stemming from premium business in Switzerland/Liechtenstein

  4. Investment income from the premium business of non-resident subsidiaries and branches

  5. Income from participations of non-resident subsidiaries

  6. Transactions in connection with the acquisition or disposal of portfolios

Special features

  1. If the investment income earned on premiums from abroad cannot be separated from the investment income earned on domestic premiums, the breakdown can be estimated.


Telecommunications and information services

Telecommunications services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for the broadcast or transmission of information via telecommunications technology and related services. The value of the information transmitted is not to be included.

Detailed explanation

Information transmission

Information can be transmitted in the form of data, text, sound, images, video, etc.

Telecommunications technology

Various technologies can be used for the transmission, such as internet, telephone, facsimile, telegram, cable or satellite radio/TV, email, teleconferencing, etc.

Related services

These comprise mobile telecommunication services, internet backbone services and online access services, including the provision of access to the internet.

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled telecommunications company receives payments for roaming charges from a UK-domiciled telecommunications company.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company pays a fee for the use of a US-domiciled company’s satellite transmission services.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Installation services for telecommunications infrastructure → Construction services

  2. Database services → Other information provision services

  3. Leasing of telecommunications infrastructure → Operating leasing or Financial leasing

Special features

none


Information services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

Information services cover remuneration for:

  1. provision of media content

  2. library and archive services

  3. database services and data storage.

A distinction is made between two sub-components: ‘News agency services’ and ‘Other information provision services’.

Detailed explanation

News agency services

News agency services include the provision of information to the media, e.g. in the form of news, articles, stock market data, photographs, feature articles, documentary reports, etc.

Other information provision services

This component includes:

  1. database services such as database conception, data storage and the dissemination of data and databases (including directories and mailing lists)

  2. services for the provision of online content and in connection with web search portals

  3. library, documentation and archive services

  4. direct subscriptions to newspapers and periodicals, whether by mail, electronic transmission or other means.

Examples

News agency services

Income: A Swiss-domiciled company which operates an economic database provides data to a German-domiciled media organisation for analysis purposes.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled media company pays fees to a UK-domiciled company for the regular provision of stock market data.

Other information provision services

Income: A Liechtenstein-domiciled company produces a documenting and archiving concept for customer data for an Austrian-domiciled company.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled university pays a fee to an Italian-domiciled company for access to academic publications.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Downloads of software → Charges for licences to use software

  2. Downloads of audiovisual content → Charges for licences to use audiovisual content

  3. Computer services

Special features

none


Computer services and software

Computer services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

Computer services cover remuneration for consultancy, development, maintenance and documentation of customised hardware and software solutions as well as websites.

Detailed explanation

Consultancy

Hardware and software consultancy, development and implementation, including subcontracting (management of computer services provided on behalf of third parties)

Installation

Hardware and software installation

Maintenance

Maintenance and repairs of computers, peripheral equipment and systems, as well as other support services including backup and data recovery

Hosting services

Data and web page hosting services (e.g. provision of server space on the internet to host clients’ web pages)

Data processing

Data processing services

Web pages

Analysis, design and programming of systems ready to use (including web page development and design)

Training

Training on customised software

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled parent company carries out software maintenance for a Singapore-domiciled subsidiary.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company commissions a German-domiciled company to develop a corporate application.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Charges for licences to use software

  2. Charges for licences to reproduce and/or distribute software

  3. Purchases and sales of ownership rights to software

  4. Training on non-customised software → Education services

  5. Database services → Other information provision services

  6. Leasing of computer infrastructure → Operating leasing

Special features

If there are delineation problems, charges for licences to use software and purchases and sales of ownership rights to software can also be included in ‘Computer services’.


Charges for licences to use software

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers charges for licences and other fees for the use of computer software and applications.

Detailed explanation

–

Examples

Income: A Liechtenstein-domiciled company has developed photo editing software and receives a fee from a non-resident company for its use.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company purchases a licence from a Norwegian-domiciled software supplier.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Computer services

  2. Charges for licences to reproduce and/or distribute software

  3. Purchases and sales of ownership rights to software

  4. Charges for licences to use audiovisual content

  5. Charges for licences to use intangible assets arising from R&D

  6. Charges for licences to use marketing assets

Special features

If there are delineation problems, charges for licences for the use of software can also be included in ‘Computer services’.


Purchases and sales of ownership rights to software

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers the purchase and sale of ownership rights to computer software and applications. There is a change in the ownership of the rights.

Detailed explanation

–

Examples

Sale: A Liechtenstein-domiciled software developer sells an app it has developed (including ownership rights) to a German-domiciled company.

Purchase: A Liechtenstein-domiciled company purchases software from a French-domiciled IT startup (including ownership rights).

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Development of software → Computer services

  2. Charges for licences to use software

  3. Charges for licences to reproduce and/or distribute software

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Amortisation costs of software

Special features

If there are delineation problems, purchases and sales of ownership rights to software can also be included in Computer services.


Charges for licences to reproduce and/or distribute software

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers charges for licences and other fees for the rights to reproduce and/or distribute computer software.

Detailed explanation

–

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled company receives licence fees from a Polish-domiciled company which markets its software.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled subsidiary pays its US-domiciled parent company for the right to market its software to companies in Europe.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Charges for licences to use software

  2. Purchases and sales of ownership rights to software

Special features

none


Audiovisual services and content

Audiovisual services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers:

  1. Remuneration related to the production of films, radio and TV programmes (live or recorded) as well as musical recordings

  2. Remuneration for productions and artist performances

Detailed explanation

Fees

Fees for artists/performers in the fields of art, literature, music, design, theatre, film, etc.

Examples

Income: A band from Switzerland receives a concert fee from a UK-domiciled concert promoter.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled concert promoter pays an appearance fee to a musical ensemble from the US.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Charges for licences to use audiovisual content

  2. Purchases and sales of ownership rights to audiovisual content

  3. Charges for licences to reproduce and/or distribute audiovisual content

  4. Mass-produced goods on physical media for perpetual use → Purchases and sales of goods

Special features

If there are delineation problems, charges for licences to use audiovisual content and purchases and sales of ownership rights to audiovisual content can also be included in ‘Audiovisual services’.


Charges for licences to use audiovisual content

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers charges for licences and other fees for the use of audiovisual content (e.g. literary works, sound recordings, stock photos, films, access to television programmes).

Detailed explanation

–

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled publishing house receives a fee from a school in Germany for the use of its online textbooks.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company pays a fee to a UK-domiciled music owner for the right to use its music for the company’s commercial.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Audiovisual services

  2. Charges for licences to reproduce and/or distribute audiovisual content

  3. Purchases and sales of ownership rights to audiovisual content

Special features

If there are delineation problems, charges for licences to use audiovisual content can also be included in Audiovisual services.


Purchases and sales of ownership rights to audiovisual content

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers purchases and sales of ownership rights to audiovisual originals or prototypes (e.g. copyrights to literary works, sound recordings, films and television programmes). There is a change in the ownership of the rights.

Detailed explanation

–

Examples

Sale: A Liechtenstein-domiciled band sells the rights to its music to a German-domiciled record company.

Purchase: A Swiss-domiciled publishing house purchases the rights to the literary work of a writer resident in Italy.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Audiovisual services

  2. Charges for licences to use audiovisual content

  3. Charges for licences to reproduce and/or distribute audiovisual content

  4. Mass-produced goods on physical media for perpetual use → Purchases and sales of goods

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Amortisation costs of audiovisual content

Special features

If there are delineation problems, purchases and sales of audiovisual content can also be included in Audiovisual services.


Charges for licences to reproduce and/or distribute audiovisual content

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers charges for licences and other fees for the reproduction and/or distribution of audiovisual originals or prototypes (e.g. literary works, films, TV and sound recordings as well as live events).

Detailed explanation

–

Examples

Income: A French-domiciled TV company broadcasts a film of a Swiss-domiciled production company, and the latter receives remuneration in return.

Expenses: A Liechtenstein-domiciled radio company pays a fee for broadcasting music to the Dutch-domiciled owners of the music rights.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Charges for licences to use audiovisual content

Special features

none


Research and development services (R&D)

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for basic research, applied research and experimental research, as well as development of new products and processes.

Detailed explanation

R&D services

This component covers both systematic research and development activities in the physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities, as well as commercial research.

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled pharmaceutical company is commissioned by a German-domiciled company to carry out applied research.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled biotech company commissions a Spanish-domiciled company to develop a new product.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Charges for licences to use intangible assets arising from R&D

  2. Purchases and sales of intangible assets arising from R&D

  3. Public opinion polling and market research → Marketing, advertising and market research

  4. Technical studies and consultancy work → Other technical services

Special features

none


Intangible assets arising from research and development (R&D)

Charges for licences to use intangible assets arising from R&D

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration in the form of licence, franchise or commission fees (e.g. royalties) for the use of intangible assets or intellectual property rights arising from research and development activities (R&D).

The user does not own the rights. As a rule, the licence to use is limited to a fixed period. There is no change in the ownership of the rights.

Detailed explanation

Use of intangible assets arising from R&D

Charges for licences to use:

  1. patents

  2. technological and industrial processes

  3. trade secrets

  4. other results of R&D

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled chemicals company receives a fee for the use of a patent (no sale of the patent) by a US-domiciled subsidiary.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company pays licence fees to a Japanese-domiciled company for the use of a patent for manufacturing a new medication.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Research and development services (R&D)

  2. Charges for licences to use marketing assets

  3. Charges for licences to use software

  4. Charges for licences to use audiovisual content

  5. Remuneration for the registration, administration and maintenance of intangible assets arising from R&D → Legal services if performed by law firms or patent offices, otherwise Other services

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Amortisation costs of intellectual property rights

Special features

The CAS survey distinguishes between six licence fee components:

  1. Charges for licences to use software

  2. Charges for licences to reproduce and/or distribute software

  3. Charges for licences to use audiovisual content

  4. Charges for licences to reproduce and/or distribute audiovisual content

  5. Charges for licences to use intangible assets arising from R&D

  6. Charges for licences to use marketing assets

Cf. table Overview of reporting of the use and the purchases and sales of intangible assets.

Licence fees, franchise fees and commission fees (e.g. royalties) for the use of intangible assets that cannot be clearly allocated to one of components listed should be allocated to the most appropriate component.


Purchases and sales of intangible assets arising from R&D

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers trade in intangible assets or intellectual property rights arising from R&D activities. There is a change in the ownership of the rights.

Detailed explanation

Intangible assets arising from R&D

  1. Patents

  2. Intellectual property rights to technological and industrial processes

  3. Trade secrets

  4. Further intellectual property rights arising from R&D activities

Value to be reported

In the case of purchases and sales of intangible assets arising from R&D, the purchase/sale price is to be reported and not the book, acquisition or production value. Any milestone payments made downstream are only to be reported when the respective milestones are reached.

Examples

Sale: A Swiss-domiciled chemicals company sells the intellectual property rights to a pesticide to its Czech-domiciled subsidiary.

Purchase: A Swiss-domiciled pharmaceuticals company purchases the ownership rights to a patented production process for the manufacture of a medication from a US-domiciled company.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Charges for licences to use intangible assets arising from R&D

  2. Remuneration for the registration, administration and maintenance of intangible assets arising from R&D → Legal services if performed by law firms or patent offices, otherwise Other services

  3. Purchases and sales of marketing assets

  4. Research and development services (R&D)

  5. Purchases and sales of ownership rights to software

  6. Purchases and sales of ownership rights to audiovisual content

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Amortisation costs of intellectual property rights

Special features

  1. Merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions are not included in this survey.

  2. However, if the ownership of intangible assets is transferred as part of a corporate merger, the value of the transferred ownership right is to be reported in the present survey under this component. The transfer can be either from a resident company to a non-resident company, or from a non-resident to a resident company.

  3. Trade in intangible assets that cannot be clearly allocated to the components ‘Purchases and sales of intangible assets arising from R&D’ or ‘Purchases and sales of marketing assets’ should be allocated to the most appropriate component.


Marketing assets

Charges for licences to use marketing assets

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration in the form of licence, franchise or commission fees (e.g. royalties) for the use of marketing assets (intangible assets).

The user does not own the rights. As a rule, the licence to use is limited to a fixed period. There is no change in the ownership of the rights.

Detailed explanation

Use of marketing assets

Licence fees and other fees for the use of:

  1. trademarks

  2. brands

  3. logos

  4. domain names

  5. other intellectual property rights arising from marketing activities (e.g. client lists)

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled sporting goods manufacture is paid a fee by its German-domiciled parent company for the use of the logo belonging to the Swiss-domiciled company.

Expenses: A Liechtenstein-domiciled licence holder pays franchise fees to a US-domiciled coffee shop chain for the use of the brand name.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Purchases and sales of marketing assets

  2. Remuneration for the registration, administration and maintenance of intangible assets arising from R&D → Legal services if performed by law firms or patent offices, otherwise Other services

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Amortisation costs of intellectual property rights

Special features

The CAS survey distinguishes between six licence fee components:

  1. Charges for licences to use software

  2. Charges for licences to reproduce and/or distribute software

  3. Charges for licences to use audiovisual content

  4. Charges for licences to reproduce and/or distribute audiovisual content

  5. Charges for licences to use intangible assets arising from R&D

  6. Charges for licences to use marketing assets

Cf. table Overview of reporting of the use and the purchases and sales of intangible assets.

Licence fees, franchise fees and commission fees (e.g. royalties) for the use of intangible assets that cannot be clearly allocated to one of components listed should be allocated to the most appropriate component.


Purchases and sales of marketing assets

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers trade in intangible assets in the form of trademarks and other intellectual property rights arising from marketing activities. There is a change in the ownership of the rights.

Detailed explanation

Marketing assets

  1. trademarks

  2. brands

  3. logos

  4. domain names

  5. other intellectual property rights arising from marketing activities (e.g. client lists)

Value to be reported

  1. In the case of purchases and sales of intangible assets in the form of marketing assets, the purchase or sale price is to be reported, not the book, acquisition or production value.

Examples

Sale: A Swiss-domiciled sporting goods manufacturer sells the right to the logo of a sporting good to its UK-domiciled parent company.

Purchase: A Swiss-domiciled food group purchases trademarks to baby food products from a German-domiciled company.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Charges for licences to use marketing assets

  2. Remuneration for the registration, administration and maintenance of marketing assets → Legal services if performed by law firms or patent offices, otherwise Other services

  3. Purchases and sales of intangible assets arising from R&D

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Amortisation costs of intellectual property rights

Special features

  1. Merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions are not included in this survey.

  2. However, if the ownership of intangible assets is transferred as part of a corporate merger, the value of the transferred ownership right is to be reported in the present survey under this component. The transfer can be either from a resident company to a non-resident company, or from a non-resident to a resident company.

  3. Trade in intangible assets that cannot be clearly allocated to the components ‘Purchases and sales of marketing assets’ or ‘Purchases and sales of intangible assets arising from R&D’ should be allocated to the most appropriate component.


Table: Overview of reporting of the use and the purchases and sales of intangible assets

Type of asset

Use

Purchases and sales

Marketing assets

Charges for licences to use marketing assets

Purchases and sales of marketing assets

Results of R&D

Charges for licences to use intangible assets arising from R&D

Purchases and sales of intangible assets arising from R&D

Audiovisual content

Charges for licences to use audiovisual content

Charges for licences to reproduce and/or distribute audiovisual content

Purchases and sales of ownership rights to audiovisual content

Software

Charges for licences to use software

Charges for licences to reproduce and/or distribute software

Purchases and sales of ownership rights to software


Health, education, cultural, sporting and recreational services

Health services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for human medicine services that medical institutions and professionals domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein provide for non-residents, as well as services provided by medical institutions and professionals domiciled abroad for residents.

Detailed explanation

Health services

The services can be provided by hospitals, doctors, nurses, laboratory or similar personnel remotely or directly on-site (provided this does not correspond to the domicile of the service provider).

Diagnosis procedures (e.g. telemedicine), pharmaceutical and radiology services as well as rehabilitation services.

The on-site treatment of non-residents who are in Switzerland/Liechtenstein is not to be included. The on-site treatment abroad of residents is also not to be included.

Examples

Income: A Liechtenstein-domiciled private clinic supplies a French-domiciled hospital with telediagnoses on the basis of data provided.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled specialised clinic obtains laboratory services from a Slovakian-domiciled laboratory.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Veterinary services → Other technical services

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Health services for non-residents who are in Switzerland/Liechtenstein.

  2. Health services provided abroad for persons who are domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein.

Special features

none


Education services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for services at all levels of education, delivered by correspondence course, online or by teachers directly on-site in the country concerned.

Detailed explanation

–

Examples

Income: A university in Switzerland offers MBA distance-learning courses for non-residents.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled biotech company flies specialists in from abroad to train specialised staff in Switzerland.

Exclusions

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Education services for non-residents who are in Switzerland/Liechtenstein.

Special features

none


Cultural, sporting and recreational services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for cultural and sporting activities and events as well as services associated with museums, libraries, archives and other recreational offerings and activities.

Detailed explanation

Cultural, sporting and recreational services

This component also includes:

  1. Fees and prizes of athletes

  2. Payments to associations and federations directly connected with the hosting of sporting events.

  3. Remuneration for services related to the conservation and preservation of historical artefacts.

  4. Remuneration for services and payments related to gambling.

Examples

Income: A French-domiciled art dealer pays fees to an auction house in Switzerland for the auction of paintings.

Expenses: An international sports federation domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein pays a non-resident member a fee for the hosting of a sports competition.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Sponsoring

  2. Licence fees for the use of media rights to sporting and cultural events → Charges for licences to reproduce and/or distribute audiovisual content

  3. Charges for licences to use marketing assets

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Services for non-residents who are in Switzerland/Liechtenstein.

Special features

none


Other services

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers remuneration for services which cannot be allocated to any other component.

Detailed explanation

Other services

Other services include:

  1. Distribution of electricity, water, gas and petroleum products to end-consumers, where these can be identified separately from transmission and pipeline services (included in the components ‘Pipeline transport’ and ‘Electricity transmission over high-voltage grid’)

  2. Fees for placement of personnel

  3. Translation and interpretation

  4. Security services

  5. Building cleaning and real estate services

  6. Fees for arranging accommodation such as hotel rooms or holiday apartments

Examples

Income: A Swiss-domiciled company recruits specialised staff for an Austrian-domiciled company (placement of personnel).

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company obtains translation services from a Finnish-domiciled translation agency.

Exclusions

–

Special features

none


Taxes, fines and penalties, aid, sponsoring and other transfers

Taxes

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

Taxes on

  1. income and capital gains from financial assets

  2. interest income and dividends

  3. financial transactions (e.g. taxes on the issuance, purchase or sale of securities)

Detailed explanation

–

Example

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company pays taxes to a non-resident authority on the issuance of securities.

Exclusions

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Withholding tax on dividends of subsidiaries

  2. Withholding tax on participations

  3. Value-added tax

Special features

none


Fines, penalties and payments of compensation

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers fines and penalties imposed on companies by courts of law or other government bodies abroad. Also included are payments of compensation (awarded by court or settled out of court) for the non-fulfilment of contracts, injuries to persons, damages to property, or other losses that are not covered by insurance policies, with the exception of extensive damages such as oil spillages.

Detailed explanation

–

Example

Income: A Swiss-domiciled company receives a payment of compensation from a non-resident company for the non-fulfilment of a contract.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company pays a fine to a non-resident authority for breach of anti-trust legislation.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Major payments of compensation for extensive damages (e.g. explosions, oil spillages or side effects of pharmaceutical products) → Guarantees, player transfers, debt forgiveness, inheritances (legacies) and payments of compensation for extensive damages

Special features

Fines, penalties and payments of compensation are transfers, i.e. payments without a corresponding item of economic value being directly received in return. They are thus distinct from trade in goods and services.


Aid

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers transfers in the form of money, goods or services without receiving a corresponding item of economic value in return, such as in the event of famine, natural disasters or war, as well as contributions to international organisations.

Detailed explanation

–

Examples

Income: Donations from abroad to a Swiss-domiciled aid organisation.

Expenses: Free delivery of medication and medical care by a Swiss-domiciled company in the event of a natural disaster abroad.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Payments for membership dues or subscriptions to market non-profit organisations, such as trade associations or chambers of commerce, are treated as payments for services rendered and are to be included under the corresponding component.

Special features

International organisations are considered extraterritorial areas and are therefore defined as non-residents.

Aid is a transfer, i.e. a payment without a corresponding item of economic value being directly received in return. It is thus distinct from trade in goods and services.


Sponsoring

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers payments for the promotion of individuals, a group of people, organisations or events. Payments are made by an individual, an organisation or a commercially oriented company in the form of cash payments, payments in kind or as a service, with the expectation of receiving in return services/resources that support their own communications and marketing objectives.

Detailed explanation

–

Examples

Income: A German-domiciled bank supports a Liechtenstein-domiciled concert organiser by making payments towards a large-scale event.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company supports a UK-domiciled football club.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Placement of advertisements, marketing of products or services → Marketing, advertising and market research

Special features

none


Guarantees, player transfers, debt forgiveness, inheritances (legacies) and payments of compensation for extensive damages

Transactions between entities domiciled in Switzerland/Liechtenstein (residents) and counterparties abroad (non-residents)

General description

This component covers guarantees, player transfers, debt forgiveness, inheritances (legacies) and major payments of compensation for extensive damages (e.g. explosions, oil spillages or side effects of pharmaceutical products) not covered by insurance policies

Detailed explanation

Player transfers

Transfer fees paid by one sporting club to another for the transfer of a player.

Examples

Income: A private individual from Germany leaves part of their estate to a Swiss-domiciled aid organisation.

Expenses: A Swiss-domiciled company pays compensation to a foreign state for oil spillage caused by a ship accident under a court arbitration ruling.

Exclusions

To be included in a different component:

  1. Fines and penalties → Fines, penalties and payments of compensation

  2. Payments of compensation for the non-fulfilment of contracts, injuries to persons, damages to property, or other losses that are not covered by insurance policies, with the exception of extensive damages such as oil spillages → Fines, penalties and payments of compensation

Not to be included in this survey:

  1. Debt write-offs

Special features

none


Definitions of countries and international organisations

All requirements concerning the geographical breakdown are based on EU guidelines (Eurostat).

The full country list is available in the data entry tables. For certain countries, the following more precise definitions regarding regional allocation should be noted.

Region/country

Europe

Germany

DE

incl. Helgoland; excl. Büsingen

Spain

ES

incl. Ceuta, Melilla, Balearic Islands and Canary Islands

Finland

FI

incl. Åland Islands

France

FR

incl. Monaco, French Guyana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, Saint Barthélémy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Mayotte

United Kingdom

GB

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Italy

IT

incl. Livigno

Malta

MT

incl. Gozo and Comino

Norway

NO

incl. Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Portugal

PT

incl. Açores and Madeira

Africa

Angola

AO

incl. Cabinda

Congo (Kinshasa)

CD

Former Zaire

British Indian Ocean Territory

IO

Chagos Archipelago

Comoros

KM

Grande Comore, Anjouan and Mohéli

Morocco

MA

incl. Occidental Sahara

Mauritius

MU

incl. Rodrigues Island, Agalega Islands and Cargados Carajos Shoals (St Brandon Islands)

Seychelles

SC

Mahé, Praslin, La Digue, Frégate and Silhouette; Amirantes (incl. Desroches, Alphonse, Plate and Coëtivy); Farquhar (incl. Providence); Aldabra and Cosmoledo Islands

Tanzania

TZ

Tanganyika, Zanzibar Island and Pemba

America

North American countries

United States

US

incl. Puerto Rico and Navassa

Central American countries

Grenada

GD

incl. Southern Grenadines Islands

Honduras

HN

incl. Swan Islands

Nicaragua

NI

incl. Corn Islands

Panama

PA

incl. former Canal zone

Sint Maarten

SX

Dutch part

St Vincent and the Grenadines

VC

incl. Northern Grenadines Islands

South American countries

Ecuador

EC

incl. Galapagos Islands

Asia

Near and Middle East countries

United Arab Emirates

AE

Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al Qaiwain, Ras al Khaimah and Fujairah

Oman

OM

incl. Kuria Muria Islands

Palestine

PS

West Bank (incl. East Jerusalem) and Gaza Strip

Yemen

YE

Former North Yemen and South Yemen; incl. Kamaran, Perim and Socotra

Other Asian countries

India

IN

incl. Laccadive Island, Minicoy Island, Amindivi Island, Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands

Malaysia

MY

Peninsular Malaysia and Eastern Malaysia (Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan)

Timor-Leste

TL

incl. exclave of Oecussi

Taiwan

TW

Separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; former Formosa

Oceania and Polar Regions

Micronesia, Federated States of

FM

incl. Caroline Islands (except Palau), Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae

Northern Mariana Islands

MP

Mariana Islands except Guam

New Caledonia

NC

incl. Loyalty Islands (Maré, Lifou and Ouvéa)

New Zealand

NZ

incl. Chatham Islands, Kermadec Islands and the Three Kings, Auckland, Campbell, Antipodes Islands, Bounty and Snares Islands. Excl. Ross Dependency (Antarctica)

French Polynesia

PF

incl. Marquesas Islands, Society Islands (incl. Tahiti), Tuamotu Islands, Gambier Islands and Austral Islands. Also Clipperton Island.

Papua New Guinea

PG

Eastern part of New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago (incl. New Britain, New Ireland, New Hannover and Admiralty Islands); Northern Solomon Islands (Bougainville and Buka); Trobriand Islands, Woodlark Islands, d’Entrecasteaux Islands and Louisiade Archipelago

Pitcairn Islands

PN

incl. Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands

Solomon Islands

SB

incl. Southern Solomon Islands, primarily Guadalcanal, Malaita, San Cristobal, Santa Isabel, Choiseul

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

TF

incl. Kerguélen, Amsterdam and Saint Paul Islands, Crozet Archipelago, Adélie Land and the Scattered Islands

US Minor Outlying Islands

UM

incl. Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Palmyra Atoll and Wake Island

Wallis and Futuna

WF

incl. Alofi Island


International organisations

By definition, international organisations are considered non-resident even if they are domiciled in Switzerland or Liechtenstein.

United Nations organisations

FAO

Food and Agriculture Organization

 

IAEA

International Atomic Energy Agency

IBRD

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development

ICSID

International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes

IDA

International Development Association

IFAD

International Fund for Agricultural Development

IFC

International Finance Corporation

ILO

International Labour Organization

IMF

International Monetary Fund

ITU

International Telecommunication Union

MIGA

Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency

UNECE

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

UNESCO

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

UNFCCC

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

UNHCR

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

UNICEF

United Nations Children’s Fund

UNRWA

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

UPU

Universal Postal Union

WHO

World Health Organization

WTO

World Trade Organization

Other UN organisations n.i.e


European Union institutions and bodies

CJEU

Court of Justice of the European Union

 

CoR

European Committee of the Regions

Council of the European Union

EBA

European Banking Authority

EC

European Commission

ECA

European Court of Auditors

ECB

European Central Bank

ECSC

European Coal and Steel Community

EDF

European Development Fund

EESC

European Economic and Social Committee

EFSF

European Financial Stability Facility

EIB

European Investment Bank

EIF

European Investment Fund

EIOPA

European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority

EMS

European Monetary System

ESM

European Stability Mechanism

ESMA

European Securities and Markets Authority

EU-AITF

EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund

EURATOM

European Atomic Energy Community

European Council

European Parliament

FEMIP

Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership

NIF

Neighbourhood Investment Facility

SRB

Single Resolution Board

Other small European Union institutions (Ombudsman, Data Protection Supervisor etc.)


Other international organisations (financial institutions)

ADB

Asian Development Bank

 

ADF

African Development Fund

ADF

Asian Development Fund

AfDB

African Development Bank

AFREXIMBANK

African Export-Import Bank

AIIB

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

AMF

Arab Monetary Fund

BADEA

Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa

BCEAO

Central Bank of West African States

BDEAC

Development Bank of Central African States

BEAC

Bank of Central African States

BIS

Bank for International Settlements

BLADEX

Foreign Trade Bank of Latin America

BSTDB

Black Sea Trade and Development Bank

CABEI

Central American Bank for Economic Integration

CAF

Development Bank of Latin America

CDB

Caribbean Development Bank

CEB

Council of Europe Development Bank

EBRD

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

ECCB

Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

EDB

Eurasian Development Bank

EUROFIMA

European Company for the Financing of Railroad Rolling Stock

FLAR

Fondo Latinoamericano de Reservas

Fonds Belgo-Congolais d’Amortissement et de Gestion

IADB

Inter-American Development Bank

IBEC

International Bank for Economic Co-operation

IIB

International Investment Bank

IIC

Inter-American Investment Corporation, now IDB Invest (Inter-American Development Bank, IDB Group)

International Union of Credit & Investment Insurers (Berne Union)

IsDB

Islamic Development Bank

NIB

Nordic Investment Bank

Paris Club creditor institutions

UEMOA

West African Economic and Monetary Union

Other international financial institutions


Other international organisations (non-financial institutions)

CERN

European Organization for Nuclear Research

 

CoE

Council of Europe

EBU

European Broadcasting Union

ECMWF

European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts

EMBL

European Molecular Biology Laboratory

EPO

European Patent Office

ESA

European Space Agency

ESO

European Southern Observatory

EUMETSAT

European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites

EUROCONTROL

European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation

EUTELSAT IGO

European Telecommunications Satellite Organization

ICES

International Council for the Exploration of the Sea

ICRC

International Committee of the Red Cross

IEA

International Energy Agency

IOM

International Organization for Migration

ITSO

International Telecommunications Satellite Organization

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

OECD

Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Other international non-financial institutions