The latest regulations from the Ministry of Finance’s Customs Administration, effective June 26, 2024, increase the duty-free allowance for inbound travelers’ luggage from NT$20,000 to NT$35,000, allowing tourists to shop to their heart’s content! But do you know which items are prohibited from being brought into Taiwan? Many people may not be aware, so to avoid having items confiscated by customs, it’s crucial to pay attention to Taiwan’s entry regulations to avoid wasting money!
Duty-Free Allowance Increased to NT$35,000
The duty-free allowance for inbound travelers’ luggage has been raised from NT$20,000 to NT$35,000 starting June 26, benefiting those traveling abroad for summer shopping. Additionally, according to the current ‘Regulations on the Inspection and Duty-Free Release of Luggage Items for Inbound Travelers,’ each person is allowed a duty-free allowance of NT$20,000 for personal or household items, excluding controlled items, tobacco, and alcohol. Amounts exceeding this allowance must be declared. However, this does not apply to those with obvious commercial intent or frequent travelers with a history of violations.
★For the latest information, please refer to:
- Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs
- Taipei Customs, Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance - Entry Declaration Notice
Taiwan Entry Regulations
Food Items
- Raw milk, fresh milk: Not allowed, including raw milk roll cakes
- Fresh, refrigerated, frozen, vacuum-packed cooked meats: Not allowed
- Fresh truffles: Not allowed
- Dried meat, meat floss: Prohibited regardless of packaging, including vacuum packaging
- Foie gras: Glass jars not allowed, but metal packaging is permitted
- Canned goods, instant noodles: Allowed
- Mentaiko, salmon roe: Allowed
- Fish floss: Allowed
- Long-life milk, powdered milk, cheese, yogurt: Allowed
- Soft canned goods: Allowed, if labeled as high-temperature sterilized
- Rice: Allowed, up to 1 kg
- Tea leaves: Allowed, up to 1 kg
- Dried shiitake mushrooms: Allowed, up to 1 kg
- Dried chili peppers: Allowed, up to 6 kg
- Cooked peanuts, garlic: Allowed, up to 1 kg
- Bird’s nest: Allowed, with a market value not exceeding NT$20,000; amounts over this must be declared
Cosmetics and Skincare Products
Non-medicated cosmetics and skincare products (including hair dyes, perms, sunscreen, whitening products) are limited to 12 units per item, with a total maximum of 36 units. Any single item with a total value exceeding USD$645 must be declared for customs.
Contact Lenses
If exceeding the following personal use limits, you must apply for ‘Medical Devices for Personal Use Only’ from the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration and declare to customs.
- Daily disposable contact lenses: 60 lenses per prescription, limited to 1 brand and 2 prescriptions.
- Orthokeratology lenses: No more than 1 pair.
Tobacco and Alcohol
Each traveler aged 20 or older (starting January 1, 2023, the age limit for alcohol is lowered to 18, while tobacco remains at 20) can bring the following quantities of tobacco and alcohol products. These limits include all tobacco and alcohol products in both carry-on and checked luggage (including duty-free purchases, in-flight purchases, overseas purchases, and items taken out and brought back). For more details, refer to the Taipei Customs Office’s ‘Tobacco and Alcohol’ guidelines.
*Tobacco:
- Duty-free allowance (no declaration required): 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 1 pound of tobacco.
- Limited quantity (requires declaration): 5 cartons (1,000 cigarettes) or 125 cigars or 5 pounds of tobacco.
(★Reminder: According to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, all e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products that have not passed health risk assessments are completely prohibited from manufacture, import, sale, supply, display, advertising, and use. When shopping abroad, remember that regardless of quantity, these items cannot be imported or brought into the country, whether as gifts or for personal use, and cannot be used for profit. Violators may face fines up to USD$161,290 under Article 26 of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, and the goods will be confiscated and destroyed.)
►For related information, please visit the E-cigarette Control Section of the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare.
＊Alcohol:
- Duty-free allowance (no declaration required): Total of 1 liter
- Quantity limit (with declaration): Total of 5 liters (but limited to 1 liter for alcohol from Mainland China, which is not open for import)
Notes
Image source: Taipei Customs, Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance
►Explanation of duty-free allowance:
- If not exceeding the duty-free allowance: No need to declare to customs.
- If exceeding the duty-free allowance: Must declare to customs via the red channel for clearance. Alcohol and tobacco products within the quantity limit can be released after inspection and tax payment.
►Explanation of quantity limit:
- If not exceeding the quantity limit: After deducting the duty-free allowance, the items will be taxed and released.
- If exceeding the quantity limit: Must attach an alcohol import business license, fill out an import declaration form according to “Article 17 of the Customs Act,” and handle customs clearance in the name of the company, or arrange for the return of the excess portion.
Pharmaceutical products
For regulations regarding bringing personal medications upon entry, please refer to the following:
*Pills and capsules: Maximum of 12 bottles (boxes, cans, packs, bags) per type, with a total not exceeding 36 bottles (boxes, cans, packs, bags). *Over-the-counter Western medicine: Maximum of 12 bottles (boxes, cans, tubes, sticks) per type, with a total not exceeding 36 bottles (boxes, cans, tubes, sticks). *General prescription Western medicine: Limits based on whether a doctor’s prescription or proof document is carried (injectable products must have a prescription or proof document):
- Without carrying: Limited to a 2-month supply.
- With carrying: Not exceeding the prescribed reasonable amount, and up to a maximum of 6 months’ supply.
(★All three items above require applying for a “Personal Medication Import Permit” from the Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and must be declared to customs upon entry.)
*Controlled prescription Western medicine: Must carry a doctor’s prescription or proof document, limited to treatment for the individual’s own illness, not exceeding the prescribed amount, and up to a maximum of 6 months’ supply.
(★Must apply for a “Declaration for Patients Carrying Controlled Drugs In and Out of the Republic of China” from the Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and declare to customs upon entry and exit.)
*Traditional Chinese medicine:
- Chinese herbal materials: Limited to 1 kg per type, with a total weight not exceeding 12 kg.
- Oral Chinese medicine preparations: Limited to 12 bottles (boxes, cans, tubes, sticks) per dosage form, with a total not exceeding 36 bottles (boxes, cans, tubes, sticks), and a total weight not exceeding 1.2 kg.
(★Must apply for a “Special Import Permit for Chinese Herbal Materials and Preparations for Personal Use” from the Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and declare to customs upon entry.)
Cash and Jewelry
If you are carrying amounts exceeding the limit, please complete the “Customs Declaration Form of the Republic of China” and the “Registration Form for Passengers or Personnel Serving on Transport Vehicles Carrying Cash, Securities, Gold, and Other Items Inbound and Outbound” or use the Single Window for Customs, Ports, and Trade for “Online Pre-registration” → Proceed through the red channel to declare to customs before passing through.
*New Taiwan Dollar (NTD): Limit of USD$3,226 (NTD100,000). Amounts exceeding this limit must be returned (stored by the passenger at customs and taken out upon departure).
*Chinese Yuan (CNY): Limit of USD$645 (CNY20,000). Amounts exceeding this limit must be returned (stored by the passenger at customs and taken out upon departure).
*Foreign Currency: Equivalent to USD$10,000. Can be brought in without restriction.
*Bearer Securities: Equivalent to USD$10,000. Can be brought in without restriction.
*Gold: Equivalent to USD$20,000. For total values exceeding USD$20,000, an “Import Permit” must be applied for from the Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs (Phone: 02-23510271) before completing customs procedures.
*Diamonds/Gems/Platinum Beyond Personal Use: Equivalent to USD$500,000. For total values exceeding USD$20,000, an “Import Permit” must be applied for from the Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs (Phone: 02-23510271) before completing customs procedures.
Prohibited Items
- Stun guns, flashlight-style stun guns
- Tear gas sprays, pepper sprays, anti-wolf sprays
- Small knives, folding knives, throwing darts, stun guns, etc.
- Various drugs, possession of pharmaceutical raw materials, prohibited or manufactured for the production or conversion of drugs
- Marijuana, THC, or marijuana-related products (CBD requires an import permit)
- Counterfeit goods
- Various meat products and meat floss (including ham, dried meat, sausages, etc.), beef, lamb, pork, duck, goose, etc. are all prohibited
Booking and Saving Tips:
Regarding the latest entry regulations, it is essential to not only adhere to duty-free allowances and restrictions on items carried but also to understand which items are entirely prohibited. This will help you avoid unnecessary trouble and ensure smooth customs clearance upon your return, allowing you to enjoy the wonderful memories of your trip. We hope this article provides you with useful information and wish you a pleasant journey!
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