Four houses, not an open category
The CPPG does not reason by type of article but by fashion house: Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Lady Dior. A piece from another label, however expensive, is not on the list published by the Geneva office in October 2026.
Wallets, luggage, small leather goods
The office does not specify which articles from these houses it accepts apart from bags. For a Louis Vuitton wallet, belt or suitcase, it is best to phone the CPPG before making the trip, as it asks for any item not on its list.
Flawless condition required
Excellent condition is an explicit requirement. Worn corners, stained leather, a damaged clasp or a torn lining expose you to refusal, especially as the office may turn down any item without justification, in its own words.
The invoice, a compulsory document
For leather goods, the CPPG requires the purchase invoice. Without it, the item is not accepted, even with its box or dust bag. Keep the receipt from the boutique or authorised reseller where the article was bought.
Fifteen per cent of value at most
A loan on leather goods reaches no more than 15% of the value used, calculated on auction resale, not the boutique price. The general methods are explained in valuing a pledged item in Switzerland.
Small article, interest-free loan
A piece valued at CHF 2,000 would raise CHF 300 at most. Below the CHF 350 threshold, the CPPG charges 0% interest; only the 6% pledge fee, about CHF 18, is added. This calculation is based on the October 2026 scales.
Leather yes, textiles and accessories no
The line is clear: the Geneva office refuses furs, clothing, shoes and glasses, even from top labels. A silk scarf or shoes from one of the four houses do not follow the bag rule; see items refused as pledges in Switzerland.
Nothing provided at the Zurich Pfandleihkasse
The Pfandleihkasse of the Zürcher Kantonalbank limits its list to jewellery, certified diamonds, coins and bars, Swiss watches and recent bicycles. Leather goods are not included: a Zurich borrower will have to turn to Geneva, subject to the eligibility conditions.
Conditions for depositing in Geneva
The CPPG lends to adults resident in Switzerland who are Swiss nationals or hold a B, C, F, L, N or S permit. G-permit cross-border commuters and companies are excluded; the depositor must be the article's sole owner.
Contract term and extension
The Geneva contract runs for 6 or 12 months. At each due date, it can be extended against an instalment of 20% of the loan, after a new valuation reflecting depreciation, in accordance with article 6 paragraph 4 of the LCPPG.
A specific bag rather than a category
For a detailed calculation on a Birkin, Classic Flap or Speedy, with interest and a possible sale, see our page on pawning a luxury handbag in Switzerland, which starts from a worked example.
What changes in France
Pawning leather goods in France depends on each Crédit Municipal, with its own brands and lending ratios. The comparison shows whether an article refused in Geneva stands a chance elsewhere.
Institutions worth knowing
- Caisse publique de prêts sur gages (CPPG): Geneva public office publishing conditions for luxury leather goods from four brands.
- Pfandleihkasse der Zürcher Kantonalbank: Zurich public office whose list of accepted items does not include leather goods.
Preparing a leather article
- Check that the article comes from Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton or Lady Dior.
- Inspect its condition: corners, handles, clasps and lining must be impeccable.
- Find the purchase invoice, a compulsory condition at the CPPG for all leather goods.
- For an article other than a bag, call the office first to confirm it is eligible.
- Go to rue des Glacis-de-Rive with an identity document and a residence permit if needed.
- Sign the contract, keep the pawn ticket and choose a term of 6 or 12 months.
Cost of pawning leather goods in Geneva
| Item | CPPG rule (Oct. 2026) | Example for CHF 300 lent |
|---|---|---|
| Lending ratio | Up to 15% of resale value | Article valued at CHF 2,000 |
| Interest | 0% up to CHF 350, then 5% and 7.5% a year | CHF 0 |
| Pledge fee | 6% charged once | CHF 18 |
| Extension | Instalment of 20% of the loan | CHF 60 |
| Sale if unpaid | Sale charges of 10% | Depending on the hammer price |
Papers to gather
- Purchase invoice for the article
- Official identity document
- B, C, F, L, N or S permit for a non-Swiss national
- Proof of residence in Switzerland
- Original box and accessories if you have them
Pitfalls specific to leather goods
- Presenting an article from a house missing from the Geneva list in the belief that the purchase price is enough.
- Arriving without an invoice: the CPPG requires one for all leather goods, whatever the item's condition.
- Assuming shoes or clothing from the same brand follow the bag rule, when they are refused.
- Going to the Zurich Pfandleihkasse with a bag, a category it does not mention among its pledges.
- Hoping for a loan close to the boutique price: the ratio is capped at 15% of an auction resale value.
Pawning leather goods in Switzerland: your queries
Which leather goods brands are accepted as pledges in Switzerland?
The Geneva CPPG names Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Lady Dior, in excellent condition and with an invoice. The ZKB Pfandleihkasse publishes no conditions for leather goods, which are absent from its list of accepted items.
Can a luxury wallet be pawned?
The Geneva office gives no detail on the types of article accepted beyond brand and condition. For a wallet or small leather goods, it asks you to get in touch before coming, as for any valuable not on its list.
What percentage of value is lent on leather goods?
Up to 15% in Geneva, according to the CPPG, based on auction resale value. The amount is therefore far below the purchase price, and it is subject to the 6% pledge fee and the rate of the relevant band.
Are leather goods without an invoice accepted?
Not at the CPPG: the invoice is compulsory for leather goods. This requirement is stricter than for watches, where proof becomes compulsory only above CHF 5,000 or for certain brands.
General information, up to date as of October 2026 and non-contractual: always check the terms with the Crédit Municipal or the institution concerned.