Sea Freight from China to Taipei, Taiwan — Transit, Duty and Clearance
China → Taipei · via TPE air / Keelung sea · clearance by Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance
Freight from China into Taipei clears through TPE air / Keelung sea. Taipei is capital and headquarters market, and 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.
Import duty and tax position for Taipei
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.
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 Taipei | TPE air / Keelung sea |
| Inland leg to Taipei | Same day from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 1–3 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
Pre-shipment checklist for Taipei
- Confirm the consignee in Taipei can act as importer of record — Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance will not release cargo to an unregistered party.
- Ask for the HS code in writing from your supplier and verify the Taiwan duty rate against it yourself.
- 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.
- Compare gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000) — the higher figure is what gets billed on air and express.
- Plan around the China-side windows too: Chinese New Year and Golden Week both compress capacity on the Taiwan lane.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Taipei 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 Taipei.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into Taipei?
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 Taipei.
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.
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 Taipei clear through?
Cargo for Taipei is routed via TPE air / 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.
Can you deliver door-to-door in Taipei?
Yes. Delivery to a Taipei 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.
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 Taipei
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.