Taiwan - Import & Export Regulatory Guide
Taiwan's customs is administered by the Customs Administration (MoF) using the CPT electronic clearance platform. Strategic High-Tech Commodities (SHTC) export controls are administered by the Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) at MoEA, tightly aligned with Wassenaar and export controls on advanced semiconductor equipment.
Regulatory authorities
- Customs entry, CPT filings, valuation, AEO.
- Import/export licences, SHTC controls, trade remedy.
- Product safety and conformity mark.
- FDA (TFDA)Food, drug, cosmetic, medical device registration.
Licensing regimes
| Licence | Scope | Issuer |
|---|---|---|
| Import/Export licence | Regulated HS codes per Table of Commodity Control (mostly automatic; manual for sensitive). | BOFT |
| SHTC export licence | Strategic high-tech commodities incl. advanced ICs, semiconductor equipment, drones. | BOFT |
| BSMI Type Approval / RPC | Electrical, RF, gas appliances, toys, machinery. | BSMI |
| TFDA product registration | Pharma, medical devices, cosmetics, food supplement. | TFDA |
- · Certain products from PRC on the Negative List (dynamic).
- · IPR-infringing goods.
- · Cultural relics without export permit.
- · CITES-listed species.
- · Advanced semiconductor equipment and dual-use nodes - SHTC export licence.
- · Rice - state buyer (Council of Agriculture) & TRQ.
- · Agricultural products in-season - variable duty.
- · Chemicals - EPA / TCSA registration.
- · Traditional Chinese-language labelling on regulated consumer goods.
- · BSMI Type Approval sticker on regulated electrical products.
- · TFDA registration number on food/pharma packaging.
- · Country of origin per Foreign Trade Act.
- · Aligned with US export controls on advanced semiconductors to PRC (Oct 2022 & 2023 rules echoed).
- · UN measures implemented as domestic policy though Taiwan is not a UN member.
- · MJIB financial-sector AML/CFT screening.
Dispute resolution
Customs objection within 30 days; Petition Committee; onward Administrative Court. CAA (Chinese Arbitration Association, Taipei) is the primary institutional forum. Taiwan is not a NY Convention party but honours foreign awards via Arbitration Law reciprocity.
Key official sources
Frequently asked questions (2)
Taiwan's SHTC list closely mirrors Wassenaar and, since 2022, US EAR §734.9 FDPR-style rules on advanced ICs (≤14/16nm logic, ≤128-layer NAND, ≤18nm DRAM) and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. TSMC, UMC and MediaTek operate under both regimes simultaneously - shipments to PRC MCF end users need Taiwan and often US licences.
Taiwan is not a NY Convention party due to its UN status. Foreign arbitral awards can still be recognised and enforced under Taiwan's Arbitration Law if the seat country grants reciprocity. Practical drafting: arbitrate in Hong Kong, Singapore, or Taipei under CAA rules to preserve enforcement.
Compliance-ready templates for cross-border trade
Sanctions screening, KYC and end-use documentation are the first thing customs and correspondent banks check. Start with these free templates.