Shipping from China to Keelung, Taiwan — Freight Guide [2026]
China → Keelung · via Keelung sea · clearance by Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance
We move freight cargo from South China into Keelung through Keelung sea. Keelung is northern port city with immediate quayside access, which shapes the kind of cargo that moves on this lane and how it should be packed.
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.
Duty, tax and clearance into Keelung
Imports into Taiwan are cleared by Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance. The headline position is: Business tax 5%; duty 0–30% depending on commodity. The de-minimis threshold is 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.
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 Keelung | Keelung sea |
| Inland leg to Keelung | Same day from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 1–3 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
What to sort out before the cargo leaves China
- Put the Keelung delivery address, contact name and phone number on the invoice, not just the packing list.
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders up front — retro-declaring after booking usually means re-planning the whole shipment.
- Get the conformity paperwork moving early: BSMI commodity inspection mark for electrical and consumer goods; NCC approval for radio devices.
- Photograph carton markings and seal numbers before departure — it makes any claim far easier to settle.
- Book earlier than the transit time suggests during Sep–Nov, when space on this lane tightens.
- Compare gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000) — the higher figure is what gets billed on air and express.
Air, sea or overland into Keelung?
| 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 Keelung and 1–3 days of clearance.
Mode guides for Keelung
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Keelung 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 Keelung.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into Keelung?
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 Keelung.
What certification do I need for Taiwan?
For regulated goods, plan for: BSMI commodity inspection mark for electrical and consumer goods; NCC approval for radio devices. Missing conformity paperwork is the single most common cause of a hold, and in most cases it cannot be remedied once the cargo has arrived.
Can you ship batteries or sensitive cargo to Keelung?
Yes. Battery cargo by air follows IATA PI 965–970 depending on how the cells are packed, and moves on certified channels via TPE (Taoyuan), KHH (Kaohsiung). Surcharges apply and the declaration has to be made before booking.
Which port or airport does cargo for Keelung clear through?
Cargo for Keelung is routed via Keelung 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.
Is sea freight cheaper than air freight into Keelung?
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.
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 Keelung
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.