2024 Entry Regulations for Taiwan: Be Careful What You Bring or Risk a Fine!

Bottom line: Starting June 26, 2024, the duty-free allowance for inbound travelers’ luggage in Taiwan has been increased from NT$20,000 to NT$35,000 (about USD$645 to USD$1,129). However, food items such as raw milk, fresh milk, fresh/frozen/vacuum-packed meats, dried meat and meat floss, and fresh truffles are strictly prohibited from entry, regardless of packaging. Before bringing souvenirs back from Bali, be sure to check if the items are on the banned list to avoid confiscation or fines by customs.

According to the latest regulations from the Ministry of Finance’s Customs Administration, starting June 26, 2024, the duty-free allowance for luggage items carried by inbound travelers has been raised from NT$20,000 to NT$35,000 (approximately USD$645 to USD$1,129), allowing tourists to shop freely! But do you know which items are not allowed to be brought back to Taiwan? Many people may not be aware, so to avoid having your items confiscated by customs, be sure to understand Taiwan’s entry regulations—don’t waste your money!

Duty-Free Allowance Raised to NT$35,000 (Approx. USD$1,129)

The duty-free allowance for luggage items carried by inbound travelers has been raised from NT$20,000 to NT$35,000 (about USD$645 to USD$1,129) starting June 26, benefiting all nationals traveling abroad for summer shopping. Additionally, according to the current ‘Regulations Governing the Declaration, Inspection, and Taxation of Luggage and Goods Carried by Inbound Travelers,’ each traveler is allowed a duty-free allowance of NT$20,000 (approx. USD$645) for personal or household luggage items, excluding controlled goods and tobacco/alcohol. Amounts exceeding this must be declared. However, this does not apply to those clearly engaging in commercial activities or frequent travelers with violation records.

★For the latest information, please refer to:

• Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs: Detailed Export Restriction List
• Taipei Customs, Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance: Entry Customs Declaration Guide

Taiwan Entry Regulations and Restrictions

Food Items

• Raw milk, fresh milk: Not allowed, including fresh milk roll cakes
• Fresh, chilled, frozen, or cooked vacuum-packed meats: Not allowed
• Fresh truffles: Not allowed
• Dried meat, meat floss: Prohibited regardless of packaging, including vacuum-sealed
• Foie gras: Not allowed in glass jars, but metal packaging is permitted
• Canned goods, instant noodles: Allowed
• Mentaiko (marinated cod roe), salmon roe: Allowed
• Fish floss: Allowed
• Long-life milk, milk powder, cheese, yogurt: Allowed
• Canned food (soft cans): Allowed, must indicate high-temperature sterilization
• 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 and garlic: Allowed, up to 1 kg
• Bird’s nest: Allowed, market value must not exceed NT$20,000 (approx. USD$645); declaration required if exceeded

Cosmetics and Skincare

Non-medicated cosmetics (including hair dye, perms, sunscreen, whitening products) such as face masks, eye creams, lip masks, toners, serums, etc.: Max 12 bottles per type, total not exceeding 36 bottles. If total value of a single item exceeds NT$20,000 (approx. USD$645), tax declaration is required.

Contact Lenses

If you carry more than the following duty-free allowances for personal use, you must apply for a “Medical Device for Personal Use” from the Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and declare it to customs.

1. Daily disposable contact lenses: up to 60 lenses per prescription, limited to 1 brand and 2 prescriptions.
2. Corrective lenses: no more than 1 pair.

Tobacco and Alcohol

Adult travelers aged 20 and above (from January 1, 2023, the age limit for carrying alcohol upon entry is adjusted to 18, but the age for carrying tobacco remains 20) may bring the following quantities of tobacco and alcohol products. The following quantities include all tobacco and alcohol products in both carry-on and checked luggage (including those purchased at duty-free shops, onboard, abroad, or brought out and back into the country). For more details, please refer to the “Tobacco and Alcohol” section of the Taipei Customs Office, Ministry of Finance.

*Tobacco:

• Duty-free allowance (no declaration required): 200 cigarettes, or 25 cigars, or 1 pound of tobacco.
• Limited allowance (with declaration): 5 cartons of cigarettes (1,000 cigarettes), or 125 cigars, or 5 pounds of tobacco.

(★Tip: According to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, all e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products that have not passed health risk assessment are completely banned from manufacturing, importing, selling, supplying, displaying, advertising, and using. When shopping abroad, remember that no quantity, regardless of size, can be imported or brought into the country. Whether for gifts or personal use, you risk penalties, and it cannot be used as a way to profit. If caught, according to Article 26 of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, the maximum fine is NT$5,000,000 (approximately USD$161,290), and the goods cannot be retrieved and will be fully destroyed.)

►For related information, please visit the E-cigarette Prevention Zone of the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare.

*Alcohol:

• Duty-free allowance (no declaration required): up to 1 liter total
• Limited allowance (with declaration): up to 5 liters total (but alcoholic beverages from mainland China, which are not open for import, are limited to 1 liter)

Notes

Image source: Taipei Customs, Ministry of Finance

►Duty-free allowance explanation:

1. Not exceeding the duty-free allowance: No customs declaration required.
2. Exceeding the duty-free allowance: Must declare at the Red Channel customs counter; tobacco and alcohol products within the limited allowance can be released after inspection and payment of duties.

►Limited allowance explanation:

1. Not exceeding the limited allowance: After deducting the duty-free allowance, the products are released upon payment of duties.
2. Exceeding the limited allowance: Must provide an import license for tobacco and alcohol, fill out an import declaration form in accordance with Article 17 of the Customs Act, and clear customs as a business entity, or arrange for the excess to be returned.

Medications

For regulations on carrying personal medications when entering the country, please refer to the following:

Tablet or capsule food products: Maximum 12 bottles (boxes, cans, packs, bags) per type, with a total not exceeding 36 bottles (boxes, cans, packs, bags). * Non-prescription Western medicine: Maximum 12 bottles (boxes, cans, strips, tubes) per type, with a total not exceeding 36 bottles (boxes, cans, strips, tubes). * General prescription Western medicine: Limits based on whether a doctor’s prescription or supporting documents are carried (injectable products require a prescription or supporting documents):

1. Without carrying: Limited to a 2-month supply.
2. With carrying: Not exceeding the reasonable amount prescribed, with a maximum of a 6-month supply.

(★ For all three categories above, you must apply for a “Personal Use Drug Import Permit” from the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration, and declare it to customs upon entry to bring them in.)

Controlled prescription Western medicine: Must carry a doctor’s prescription or supporting documents, limited to treating your own illness, not exceeding the prescribed amount, and with a maximum of a 6-month supply.

(★ You must apply for a “Declaration Form for Patients Carrying Controlled Drugs into and out of the Republic of China” from the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration, and declare it to customs upon entry and exit.)

Traditional Chinese medicine:

1. Chinese herbal materials: Maximum 1 kg per type, with a total weight not exceeding 12 kg.
2. Oral Chinese medicine preparations: Maximum 12 bottles (boxes, cans, strips, tubes) per dosage form, with a total not exceeding 36 bottles (boxes, cans, strips, tubes), and a total weight not exceeding 1.2 kg.

(★ You must apply for a “Personal Use Import Permit for Chinese Herbal Materials and Chinese Medicine Preparations” from the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration, and declare it to customs upon entry.)

Cash and Jewelry

If carrying amounts exceeding the limits, please fill out the “Republic of China Customs Declaration Form” and the “Entry/Exit Declaration Form for Carrying Cash, Negotiable Instruments, Gold, and Items by Passengers or Crew Members” or go to the Single Window for Port and Trade to make an “Online Pre-Declaration Registration” → then proceed through the Red Channel to declare to customs for clearance.

New Taiwan Dollars (NT$): Limit of NT$100,000 (approx. USD$3,226). Any excess must be re-exported (sealed by customs and taken out upon departure).

Chinese Yuan (RMB): Limit of RMB 20,000 (approx. USD$2,800). Any excess must be re-exported (sealed by customs and taken out upon departure).

Foreign Currency: Equivalent to USD$10,000. Full amount may be brought in.

Bearer Negotiable Securities: Equivalent to USD$10,000. Full amount may be brought in.

Gold: Equivalent to USD$20,000. If the total value exceeds USD$20,000, an “Import Permit” must be obtained from the Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs (Tel: 02-23510271) before customs clearance.

Diamonds/Gems/Platinum (beyond personal use): Equivalent to USD$500,000. If the total value exceeds USD$20,000, an “Import Permit” must be obtained from the Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs (Tel: 02-23510271) before customs clearance.

Prohibited Items

• Stun guns, flashlight-style stun guns
• Tear gas spray, pepper spray, personal defense spray
• Small knives, folding knives, throwing darts, stun guns
• All types of drugs, possession of pharmaceutical raw materials, and substances prohibited or used for producing or converting into drugs
• Marijuana, THC, or cannabis-related products (CBD requires an import permit)
• Counterfeit goods
• All meat products and meat floss (including ham, jerky, sausages, etc.), as well as beef, lamb, pork, duck, and goose, are strictly prohibited

Booking and saving tips right here:

Regarding the latest entry regulations, it’s not just about adhering to duty-free allowances and restricted items—you also need to know which items are completely banned. This way, you can avoid unnecessary hassles, clear customs smoothly upon your return, and cherish the wonderful memories of your trip. Hope this article provides you with useful info. Have a great journey!