What goods can be pawned in Geneva and Zurich?

A list set by each office

There is no single federal list: the Geneva public pawn office (Caisse publique de prêts sur gages) and the Pfandleihkasse of the Zürcher Kantonalbank each publish their own criteria. Geneva law, in article 6 paragraph 1, mentions jewellery, precious metals, certain securities and livestock.

Jewellery: gold or platinum only

Both offices accept only gold or platinum jewellery, new or used. Details of lending ratios and permitted stones are on our page on pawning jewellery in Switzerland, together with the Zurich rules on diamonds.

Coins, medals and bars

In Geneva, gold, silver and platinum coins and bars are accepted, numismatic items included: Vreneli, Napoléon, Sovereign or Krugerrand. The ZKB accepts gold and silver coins, medals and bars. Damaged objects in solid precious metal are still taken by the CPPG.

Branded Swiss watches

The CPPG takes Swiss watches with a minimum value of CHF 1,000, in working order, quartz models included. The ZKB accepts branded Swiss watches for men and women, with a certificate and receipt from a purchase price of CHF 3,000.

Hallmarked solid silverware

Silverware is accepted in Geneva only if it is solid, with an 800 or Minerva hallmark. Silver-plated cutlery is turned away, with one exception noted by the CPPG: complete sets from the Christofle house may be presented.

Luxury bags and leather goods in Geneva

The CPPG accepts Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Lady Dior luxury leather goods in excellent condition, invoice compulsory, up to 15% of their value. The Zurich Pfandleihkasse does not mention this category among the goods it receives.

Works by identified Swiss artists

Geneva accepts works by identified Swiss artists with a minimum value of CHF 1,000, after an external appraisal arranged in advance. Bronzes also go through an outside expert, whereas furniture and antiques are refused by the office.

Livestock, a Geneva speciality

The CPPG lends against livestock, cattle and equines registered in the animal movement database (BDTA), at an annual rate of 6% reserved for farmers, on request. The LCPPG itself mentions livestock in its article 6.

Recent bicycles at the ZKB

As a Zurich particularity, the Pfandleihkasse on Zurlindenstrasse accepts recent branded bicycles, provided the purchase receipt is supplied. The CPPG, for its part, excludes all vehicles, bicycles included: the same item will therefore be accepted in Zurich and refused in Geneva.

Personal conditions for borrowing

In Geneva, the borrower must be 18, resident in Switzerland, Swiss or holding a B, C, F, L, N or S permit, and sole owner. Cross-border commuters with a G permit, companies and people under guardianship or in bankruptcy are excluded.

An item not on the list

For any other valuable not mentioned, the CPPG asks you to contact it before travelling. The approach for checking whether an item is accepted for a pawn loan applies in Switzerland too: category, condition, supporting documents, resale value.

What is still refused, and a comparison

Vehicles, electronics, clothing and wine are among the items refused as pledges in Switzerland. The items accepted as pledges in France by the Crédit Municipal institutions form a comparable but separate list, drawn up by each French office.

Public pawn offices and their item lists

• Caisse publique de prêts sur gages (CPPG): Geneva office: jewellery, precious metals, watches, solid silverware, luxury leather goods, Swiss art and livestock.
• Pfandleihkasse der Zürcher Kantonalbank: Zurich office: gold and platinum jewellery, certified diamonds, coins and bars, Swiss watches, recent bicycles.
• Loi sur la caisse publique de prêts sur gages (LCPPG): Geneva text rsGE D 2 10, whose article 6 lists the categories of pledges allowed.

Checking that an item will be accepted

1. Identify the category of your item and compare it with the lists published by the CPPG and the ZKB.
2. Check the metal: gold or platinum for jewellery, an 800 or Minerva hallmark for silverware.
3. Gather the invoice, certificate or receipt, compulsory for bags, some watches and Zurich bicycles.
4. Clean the item and make sure it works, watch battery included.
5. For an item missing from the lists, phone the office before making the journey.
6. Go to the counter with your identity document and, in Geneva, your residence permit.

Accepted categories, office by office

Documents required depending on the item

• Official identity document
• B, C, F, L, N or S permit for non-Swiss nationals in Geneva
• Invoice compulsory for luxury leather goods
• Original certificate for a watch worth over CHF 5,000 in Geneva
• Certificate for any diamond deposited in Zurich
• Purchase receipt for a bicycle at the ZKB
• BDTA registration for livestock

Mistakes to avoid before setting off

• Assuming an item accepted in Zurich will be taken in Geneva: the branded bicycle is the clearest example.
• Bringing silver or plated jewellery, when only gold and platinum are accepted for jewellery.
• Presenting a bag from a brand other than Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton or Lady Dior at the CPPG.
• Forgetting that a cross-border commuter holding a G permit cannot borrow from the Geneva office, even with an accepted item.
• Thinking acceptance is guaranteed: both the CPPG and the ZKB may refuse an item without giving a reason.

General information, up to date as of October 2026 and non-contractual: always check the terms with the Crédit Municipal or the institution concerned.