TW

Taiwan Import & Export Toolkit

Taiwan produces over 60% of the world's semiconductors. This hub covers LC cost in TWD/USD, duty & 5% VAT mechanics, Directorate General of Customs Administration (DGCA) clearance, and Incoterms best practice.

Currency

TWD (New Taiwan Dollar)

Business Tax (VAT)

5% standard

Charged on CIF + duty + commodity tax. Creditable for registered businesses.

Duty regime

MFN tariffs. Limited FTA network (New Zealand, Singapore, Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Paraguay, Eswatini). Commodity tax on autos, tobacco, oil and beverages.

Regulatory deep-dive

Taiwan import & export regulations →

Taiwan import/export rules: Customs Administration, BOFT strategic goods, BSMI conformity, food import registration.

Authorities · Licensing · Sanctions

Also see compare Taiwan vs other markets →

Free calculators for Taiwan trade

LC Cost Calculator →

All-in bank charges on a Letter of Credit.

Usance LC Interest →

Deferred payment cost with correct ACT/360 or ACT/365 basis.

Import Duty & Tax →

Duty, VAT/GST and landed cost per HS code.

Landed Cost by HS & Country →

Interactive duty + VAT/GST + Incoterm split for this destination.

CIF ↔ FOB Converter →

Convert between CIF, FOB and landed cost.

HS Code Lookup →

Search harmonised classification codes.

CBM & Container →

Volume, weight and container utilisation.

Incoterms 2020 Visualiser →

Cost, risk and document split across all 11 rules.

Multi-Currency Invoice →

FX spread and cross-currency invoice value.

Major ports & gateways

· Kaohsiung - #17 global container port
· Keelung
· Taichung
· Taipei (Taoyuan)

Key trading partners· 7 linked toolkits

Top exports

· Integrated circuits (TSMC leads)
· Electronic components & PCBs
· Computers & servers
· Optical instruments
· Machinery
· Plastics & petrochemicals
· Steel

Top imports

· Crude petroleum & LNG
· Integrated circuits (foundry inputs)
· Machinery
· Coal
· Iron ore & scrap
· Chemicals

Trade finance in Taiwan

· TWD LC usance interest uses ACT/365. USD-denominated LCs use ACT/360.
· Taiwanese banks (Mega, CTBC, Cathay United, Fubon) offer some of Asia's finest LC pricing - 0.08-0.15% per quarter for issuance.
· TAITRA and Eximbank of Taiwan provide export credit insurance for higher-risk destinations.

Customs & duty in Taiwan

· Taiwan uses CCC Code - an 11-digit HS extension. First 6 digits align to WCO HS.
· Customs value = CIF. Electronic clearance is via the Trade-Van single-window system.
· Certain electronics require BSMI certification; food requires TFDA registration.

Incoterms 2020 practice in Taiwan

· FOB Kaohsiung / Keelung dominates exports. CIF for imports.
· Cross-strait shipments to/from Mainland China follow separate ECFA (Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement) tariff rules.

HS commodity guides for Taiwan

Classification, duty and worked landed-cost examples for the commodity families most active on Taiwan's trade lanes.

HS 85Electronics

HS Code for Electronics (Chapter 85) into Taiwan →

HS 84Industrial

HS Code for Industrial Machinery (Chapter 84) into Taiwan →

HS Code for Iron & Steel (Chapter 72) into Taiwan →

HS Code for Plastics & Polymers (Chapter 39) into Taiwan →

HS Code for Crude Oil (HS 2709) into Taiwan →

HS 29 & 39Chemicals

HS Code for Petrochemicals (Chapter 29 & 39) into Taiwan →

HS Code for Coal (HS 2701) into Taiwan →

HS Code for Iron Ore (HS 2601) into Taiwan →

Taiwan's key trading partners

Singapore toolkit →

GST · 9% standard (from 2024)

China toolkit →

Import VAT · 13% standard, 9% reduced, 6% services

United States toolkit →

No federal VAT / GST · 0% federal

Vietnam toolkit →

VAT · 10% standard, 5% reduced, 0% export

Japan toolkit →

Consumption Tax (JCT) · 10% standard / 8% reduced (food, newspapers)

South Korea toolkit →

Frequently asked questions

What is Taiwan's import VAT rate?

5% Business Tax on CIF + duty + any commodity tax. This is one of the lowest VAT rates in Asia and is fully creditable for registered businesses.