The Swiss trade surplus climbed to CHF2.52 billion in March from CHF2.32 billion in the previous month. Analysts had expected the surplus to decline to CHF2.16 billion.
Exports increased 4.2% in March, while imports were up 6.8%.
The trade surplus declined to CHF8.2 billion in the first quarter from CHF8.4 billion in the previous quarter.
Exports dropped 1.7% in the first quarter, while imports climbed 0.8%.