There is a limit on the amount of following items to be brought into Taiwan.
When a passenger (resident/foreigner) brings more than the limit, making a declaration to Customs via the Red (Goods to Declare/ Customs Service) Channel upon arrival and presenting necessary documents (import permit/ certificate/ approval) is required.
Agricultural or Food Products
The following provisions were imposed on agricultural and foods products carried by arriving passengers:
A. Quarantine Regulations
Articles Banned from Bringing In | Exceptions |
Live animals and products thereof | (1)Dried or marinated aquatic products. |
Fresh fruits | - |
Seeds, live plants and fresh products thereof | Those compliant with the quarantine regulations |
- Competent Authority: the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA)
- Common questions toward quarantine: Reference Table for Customs Personnel Regarding Quarantine Regulations on Common Animals and Plants Carried by Inbound Travelers
Note: Arriving passengers having doubts regarding quarantine regulations may consult the APHIA counter near the baggage carousel.
B. Quantity Limits
Category | Quantity Limits |
General Regulation | |
-Agricultural products | |
(1) Totaled | 6 kgs |
(2) Milled rice, roasted or prepared peanut, prepared garlic, dried day-lily flower, dried mushrooms and tea | 1kg each |
Special Regulation | |
-Products from China | |
(1) Dried scallops, dried abalone, edible bird's nest and dried shark's fin | 1.2 kgs each |
(2) Canned products | 6 cans each |
Note:
- For carrying agricultural products in excess of the limit, an import permit issued by International Trade Administration is required.
- For carrying milled rice in excess of the limit, a permit issued by the Agricultural and Food Agency (AFA, mcoa@mail.afa.goc.tw) is required as well.
C. Food Inspection Conducted by the TFDA
Food inspection is required if arriving passengers carrys food products (excl. those in tablet or capsule form) meet one of the following conditions:
- the quantity of one kind exeeds 6kgs ; or
- the totaled value of one kind is more than USD 1,000
For applying for food inspection, please contact to the TFDA (+886-2-2787-8000) prior to the customs clearance.
D. Regulations of Protecting Endangered Species
For importation of Endangered Species, a permit or certificate issued by the Competent Authority is required.
Species to be Imported | Competent Authority |
eg. dried or sliced american ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) |
Management authority of the state of export or re-export |
(b) Species regulated by the Wildlife Conservation Act* |
|
*Note: NO import or export of live marine mammalian wildlife or products thereof is allowed, e.g., seal oil.
Medicines
Medicines carried by arriving passengers shall comply with the following regulations:
- For personal use only;
- The amount carried shall be within the allowance in the table.
Category |
Allowance | In excess? | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Western Medicine |
Non-Prescription Medicine |
Up to 12 bottles (boxes, cans, bars, sticks) per type, and up to a maximum of 36 bottles (boxes, cans, bars, sticks). |
Permit issued by the TFDA is required for the customs clearance. |
|
Prescription Medicine | Controlled Drugs | With prescription (or supporting document): Up to a 6 months' supply. |
A statement certified by TFDA is required for the customs clearance. |
|
Others |
|
Permit issued by the TFDA is required for the customs clearance. |
||
|
- | |||
Chinese Medicine | Ingredients | Up to 1 kg of each type of ingredient, and up to a maximum of 12 types of ingredients. |
Permit issued by the Department of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy(+886-2-8590-7261) is required for customs clearance. |
|
Preparations | Up to 12 bottles (boxes) of each type, and up to a maximum of 36 bottles (boxes). |
|||
|
||||
Food preparations, in capsule or tablet form. |
Up to 12 bottles (boxes, cans, bars, sticks) per type, and up to a maximum of 36 bottles (boxes, cans, bars, sticks). |
Permit issued by the TFDA is required for the customs clearance. |
||
Contact lenses |
Up to 60 pieces contact lenses with the same diopters. Up to 2 diopters of one brand is allowed. |
Note:
- The measurement unit used in this table: bottles (boxes,cans, bars, sticks, packets,bags), etc. is limited to "original packaging".
- If endangered species are used as medicine ingredients, a certificate issued by the competent agency is required for customs clearance.
- Where a prescription medicine in Taiwan is considered as a non-prescription medicine in the exporting country, the amount allowed for non-prescription medicine shall apply.
- About categorization of medicines (including controlled drugs), please refer to the website of the TFDA (+886-2-2787-8000).
Veterinary Drugs
Veterinary Drugs carried by arriving passengers shall comply with the following regulations:
- only for use in their own pets ;
- compliant with the limits on amount (see table); and
- are not prohibited veterinary drugs (see the annex "Items and Allowed Quantities of Agricultural products, Cigarette and Alcohol, Products Made in China, Medicine for Personal Use, and Environmental pesticides and Veterinary Drugs carried by Inward Passengers.pdf").
- Competent Authority: the Council of Agriculture(COA)
Cosmetics
A.Specific Purpose Cosmetics
A prior application for approval by the TFDA is required if passenger carries specific purpose cosmetics, unless:
- less than 12 pieces per type of such cosmetics;
- less than 36 pieces in aggregate; and
- for personal use.
Note:
- "Pieces" herein could be referred to bottles or boxes or jars or bags as well.
- Specific purpose cosmetics including sunscreen, hair dye, perm agent, antiperspirant and deodorant, teeth whitening agent and other designated ingredients (but not limited to).
B.Glass Ampoule Cosmetics
Arriving passengers are not allowed to carry glass ampoule cosmetics without a prior approval from the TFDA(+886-2-2787-8000).
Other Items
Items subject to other regulations should be processed pursuant to the provisions of governing laws and regulations, and a written declaration shall be submitted to Customs at the Red (Goods to Declare/ Customs Service) Channel upon arrival. For instance:
Category | A prior approval is required? | Competent Authority | |
BSMI Designated Items
(1) Information appliances, e.g. notebooks, tablets. |
If carried are:
|
No | Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) (+886-2-2343-1700) |
Others | Yes | ||
Controlled Telecommunication Radio-Frequency Devices (CTRFDs) | The following items less than 5 pieces in aggregate:
|
No | National Communications Commision (NCC) (+886-800-177-177) |
Mobile satellite earth stations/ Small satellite earth stations |
Yes | ||
|
In case of any discrepancy between the English version and the Chinese version, the latter shall prevail.
General Affairs Section, Inspection Division
TEL:+886-3-398-2293
[RELLINKS]:
FAQs- How much gold can I carry across the border?
FAQs- Can I travel with negotiable securities?
FAQs- What should Not be carried regarding fending off African Swine Fever
FAQs- Can I carry fruits into the country?
FAQs- Can I carry animals/plants or the related products into Taiwan?
FAQs- Can I carry ___ into Taiwan? (Keep ASF and animal diseases out!)