Sea Freight from China to Kaohsiung, Taiwan — Transit, Duty and Clearance
China → Kaohsiung · via KHH air / Kaohsiung sea · clearance by Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance
Kaohsiung is the island's main container port, and it is served through KHH air / Kaohsiung 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.
On the destination side, Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance handles clearance; budget 1–3 days of dwell before the cargo is released.
Import duty and tax position for Kaohsiung
Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance assesses duty and tax on cargo arriving for Kaohsiung 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.
Routing and transit on this lane
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.
| Sea gateways used | Kaohsiung, Taichung, Keelung |
|---|---|
| Sea transit, China to gateway | 2–4 calendar days |
| Gateway serving Kaohsiung | KHH air / Kaohsiung sea |
| Inland leg to Kaohsiung | Same day from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 1–3 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
Pre-shipment checklist for Kaohsiung
- Put the Kaohsiung delivery address, contact name and phone number on the invoice, not just the packing list.
- Ask for the HS code in writing from your supplier and verify the Taiwan duty rate against it yourself.
- Book earlier than the transit time suggests during Sep–Nov, when space on this lane tightens.
- Use ISPM-15 treated pallets. Untreated wood is the most common reason otherwise-clean cargo gets held.
- 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.
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders up front — retro-declaring after booking usually means re-planning the whole shipment.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Kaohsiung take?
China to the Taiwan gateway is 2–4 calendar days. On top of that, allow 1–3 days of clearance with Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance and a same-day inland leg to Kaohsiung.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into Kaohsiung?
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 Kaohsiung.
Can you ship batteries or sensitive cargo to Kaohsiung?
Yes. Battery cargo by sea moves under UN3480/UN3481 with an MSDS, and the dangerous-goods documentation is prepared as part of the booking into Kaohsiung, Taichung, Keelung. Surcharges apply and space is more limited than for general cargo.
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.
Which port or airport does cargo for Kaohsiung clear through?
Cargo for Kaohsiung is routed via KHH air / Kaohsiung sea. Sea gateways for Taiwan are Kaohsiung, Taichung, Keelung; air gateways are TPE (Taoyuan), KHH (Kaohsiung). We pick whichever gives the shortest total door time for your address.
How is the chargeable weight calculated for Kaohsiung?
We compare actual gross weight against volumetric weight — length × width × height in centimetres divided by 6000 for air — and bill the greater of the two, rounded up to the next kilogram. Light, bulky cargo is almost always billed on volume.
Other delivery cities in Taiwan
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 Kaohsiung
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.