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Things you need to know when shipping to Taiwan

Taiwan's customs office has seen a dramatic increase in the number of imported goods in recent years. To cope with this increase, those entering Taiwan with more than five boxes should go through the red gate upon arrival and complete the declaration form to expedite the customs clearance process. Upon arriving in Taiwan, please note that you must contact our Taiwanese agent and provide them with copies of your flight information, the entry pass in your passport, and your work permit or ARC/Residence Certificate expats, or Residence ID for Taiwanese citizens.

When importing into Taiwan, remember that you will first need to log into your account and complete your online documentation, including an inventory detailing your shipment's contents, insurance, and relevant customs forms and provide a copy of your passport's picture and signature page.

woman packing boxes

Importing your personal effects and household items

When importing personal effects into Taiwan, upon arrival, you will need to contact our Taiwanese agent and provide them with the following documents:

  1. Flight information, e.g., e-ticket or boarding pass when importing by air.
  2. Copy of the entry pass in your passport once you arrive at the airport in Taiwan.
  3. Copy of your work permit or ARC (alien resident card) certificate of residence for expats, and residence ID for citizens of Taiwan.

Your shipment must also comply with the following:

  1. Your personal effects and household items should be imported within six months of your arrival. If your arrival into Taiwan falls outside of the six month period, you will not be able to import your personal effects and will have to pay costs to have your items re-routed.
  2. You must declare your items and obtain an entry stamp from local customs officials at the red gate when you arrive at Taiwan airport to prove that you are travelling and that the personal effects are yours.

If your shipment does not comply with any of the above, this will result in your boxes being held by customs and you will incur storage charges after 15 days from your vessel's arrival.

Importing antiques

Antique items are duty-free when imported with your personal effects and household items.

Importing alcoholic beverages, tea, coffee, tobacco, and perfume

Importing wine and beer is prohibited via air and sea shipments. Perfume is allowed by sea shipment only as long as the quantity does not appear to be for a commercial purpose. For example, two scenarios that may raise concerns with customs:

  • Five or more bottles of identical unopened perfume.
  • Two or more boxes of assorted unopened perfume.

Tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars and smoking tobacco are allowed, along with tea and coffee.

antique item in a box

Prohibited goods

The Taiwanese government has a list of prohibited goods that can't be brought into the country. For more information, please visit our prohibited items page.


This page was last updated on 16th May 2022.

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