Structuring brand rights and international trade through Switzerland.
A fictionalised structure example
A growing consumer-goods business with design activities in Southern Europe, several Asian suppliers and independent distributors wants to centralise brand rights and key contracts in Switzerland. The example intentionally combines several common situations and does not describe one identifiable client.
Ownership or licence?
The first question is whether the Swiss company will acquire the brand, merely use it, or license it onward. Valuation, assignment documents, registrations, territories and existing agreements must be reviewed. A formal transfer without credible decision-making and control in Switzerland may carry little weight with tax authorities or banks.
Trade, goods and payments
The contractual route, physical movement of goods and payment route are often different. Incoterms, customs, importer and exporter roles, VAT, product responsibility, insurance and currencies must therefore be mapped together. The bank needs to understand why payments pass through Switzerland and what function the Swiss company performs.
Transfer pricing and substance
Licence fees, procurement margins and distribution profits cannot be moved arbitrarily. Functions, risks, assets and documented decisions are decisive. Anchoring brand value in Switzerland requires credible governance and specialist control there.
Coordination, not a standard package
Alpine Capital can coordinate the company, Swiss management, office, banking preparation and administration while involving the appropriate trademark, international tax, customs and contract specialists. The objective is a coherent, bankable and usable structure.
Planning a complex project in Switzerland?
We first assess structure, regulatory questions and bankability, then coordinate implementation with the required specialists.