Shipping from China to Taiwan — City Guides, Customs and Transit Times
China → Taiwan · clearance by Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance
Taiwan is served through Kaohsiung, Taichung, Keelung, and it is served through TPE air / Keelung sea. That combination is what actually sets your delivery date on this lane — the inland leg is same-day, so the clearance date is effectively the delivery date.
The clearing authority is Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance. Historical dwell on this gateway is around 1–3 days, and it lengthens in Sep–Nov.
How this lane actually runs
Taiwan is effectively an overnight air lane and a two-to-four-day sea lane from South China. The frequency-based de-minimis rule matters more than the value threshold: a consignee who receives more than two low-value parcels in six months loses the exemption entirely, which catches repeat e-commerce buyers.
| Air gateways used | TPE (Taoyuan), KHH (Kaohsiung) |
|---|---|
| Air transit, China to gateway | 1–2 business days |
| Sea gateways used | Kaohsiung, Taichung, Keelung |
| Sea transit, China to gateway | 2–4 calendar days |
| Gateway serving Taiwan | TPE air / Keelung sea |
| Inland leg to Taiwan | Same day from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 1–3 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
Delivery cities in Taiwan
Principal delivery points: Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hsinchu. Pick a city for the gateway it uses and the inland leg beyond clearance.
Import duty and tax position for Taiwan
Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance assesses duty and tax on cargo arriving for Taiwan consignees. Current regime: Business tax 5%; duty 0–30% depending on commodity, with a de-minimis position of TWD 2,000, and only twice in any six-month window per consignee.
Conformity is the part most first-time importers underestimate: BSMI commodity inspection mark for electrical and consumer goods; NCC approval for radio devices. Getting this wrong is expensive because it usually cannot be fixed after the cargo has landed.
Restrictions and known friction points for Taiwan: Certain mainland-origin goods remain on Taiwan's restricted import list — check the commodity classification before booking. BSMI inspection applies to a wide range of consumer electronics and children's products.
Air, sea or overland into Taiwan?
| Mode | Transit to gateway | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Air Freight | 1–2 business days | time-critical, high-value and low-volume cargo |
| 🚢 Sea Freight | 2–4 calendar days | volume cargo where cost per kilo matters more than speed |
Transit shown is China departure to the Taiwan gateway and excludes the same-day inland leg to Taiwan and 1–3 days of clearance.
What to sort out before the cargo leaves China
- Use ISPM-15 treated pallets. Untreated wood is the most common reason otherwise-clean cargo gets held.
- Compare gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000) — the higher figure is what gets billed on air and express.
- Check the de-minimis position (TWD 2,000, and only twice in any six-month window per consignee) against your invoice value before you decide how to split the shipment.
- Photograph carton markings and seal numbers before departure — it makes any claim far easier to settle.
- Budget for the inland leg: same-day delivery beyond gateway clearance to reach Taiwan.
- Get the conformity paperwork moving early: BSMI commodity inspection mark for electrical and consumer goods; NCC approval for radio devices.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Taiwan take?
China to the Taiwan gateway is 1–2 business days by air, 2–4 calendar days by sea. On top of that, allow 1–3 days of clearance with Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance and a same-day inland leg to Taiwan.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into Taiwan?
Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance applies: Business tax 5%; duty 0–30% depending on commodity. The de-minimis position is TWD 2,000, and only twice in any six-month window per consignee. Under a DDP arrangement these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival in Taiwan.
Can you deliver door-to-door in Taiwan?
Yes. Delivery to a Taiwan address is quoted as one figure covering freight, duty and tax owed to Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance, and the same-day inland leg. Confirm whether your consignee wants the goods at a warehouse, a marketplace fulfilment centre or a shop front, because the last-mile requirement differs.
What documents does Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance require?
A commercial invoice with HS codes, a packing list, the bill of lading or air waybill, a certificate of origin where it lowers duty, and any product certification (BSMI commodity inspection mark for electrical and consumer goods; NCC approval for radio devices). We prepare and file these as part of the service.
When is the busiest time on the China–Taiwan lane?
Space and rates tighten around Sep–Nov, plus the China-side windows of Chinese New Year in January or February and Golden Week in early October. Book one to two weeks earlier in those periods.
Is sea freight cheaper than air freight into Taiwan?
Per kilo, yes — usually by a wide margin. The trade-off is time: 2–4 calendar days by sea versus 1–2 business days by air to the Taiwan gateway, before clearance and the same-day inland leg. The crossover point is normally somewhere between 100 and 300 kg depending on the density of your cargo.
References & official sources
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity requirements for Taiwan change by ministerial decision, sometimes mid-year. The figures on this page are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your own HS code with Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance or your broker before you ship.
- Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance
- Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI)
- WTO — Tariff Profiles (applied MFN duty by country)
- WCO — Harmonized System nomenclature
- IMO — IMDG Code for dangerous goods by sea
- IATA — Lithium battery shipping guidance (PI 965–970)
Page data last reviewed: July 2026.
Get a rate for Taiwan
This lane is quoted per shipment rather than from a published rate card, because the landed cost depends on the commodity, its density, the conformity requirements above and the delivery point. Send the cargo details and we will come back with a full DDP figure.