💰 Current Freight Rates
Price data updating. Contact us for current rates.
Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What
The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to Taiwan is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.
- Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
- Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
- Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.
| Term | 1 Loading on truck | 2 Export customs declaration | 3 Carriage to port of export | 4 Unloading at port of export | 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft | 6 Main carriage | 7 Cargo insurance | 8 Unloading at port of import | 9 Loading on truck at import | 10 Carriage to destination | 11 Import customs clearance | 12 Import duties & taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW Ex Works | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck | Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FCA Free Carrier | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FAS Free Alongside Ship | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FOB Free On Board | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CFR Cost and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CPT Carriage Paid To | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAP Delivered At Place | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DDP Delivered Duty Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Seller Seller — Import customs clearance | Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes |
EXW Ex Works
Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.
FCA Free Carrier
Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.
FAS Free Alongside Ship
Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.
FOB Free On Board
Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.
CFR Cost and Freight
Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight
As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).
CPT Carriage Paid To
Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid
As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)
Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.
DAP Delivered At Place
Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.
Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.
📋 Service Details
What to expect on the China–Taiwan Sea Freight lane
Sea Freight into Taiwan runs through Kaohsiung, Taichung, Keelung. Clearance is by Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance and typical dwell before release is 1–3 days.
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.
Route facts
| Destination country | Taiwan |
|---|---|
| Region | Asia Pacific |
| Mode | Sea Freight |
| Gateways used | Kaohsiung, Taichung, Keelung |
| Transit, China to gateway | 2–4 calendar days |
| Clearance / dwell | 1–3 days |
| Peak season | Sep–Nov |
Delivery cities on this lane
Each city below has its own guide covering the gateway that serves it, the inland leg after clearance and the local delivery requirements.
- China to Taipei — capital and headquarters market. Via TPE air / Keelung sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to New Taipei — the largest industrial and residential belt. Via TPE air / Taipei Port sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Taoyuan — airport city and electronics manufacturing base. Via TPE air / Taipei Port sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Taichung — machine tool and precision component centre. Via RMQ air / Taichung sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Tainan — semiconductor and science park cluster. Via TPE air / Kaohsiung sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Kaohsiung — the island's main container port. Via KHH air / Kaohsiung sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Hsinchu — the science park at the core of the chip industry. Via TPE air / Taipei Port sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Keelung — northern port city with immediate quayside access. Via Keelung sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
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ℹ️ Additional Information
What Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance will ask for
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.
Conformity: BSMI commodity inspection mark for electrical and consumer goods; NCC approval for radio devices.
Known friction points: 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.
Documents we file under DDP
- Commercial invoice showing HS codes and the true transaction value
- Packing list with carton count, gross and net weight, and dimensions
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin where it reduces the duty rate
- Product certification or conformity documents where the commodity requires them
Packing notes
- Chargeable weight is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 1000 for LCL chargeable volume)
- Use ISPM-15 treated wood for any pallet or crate — untreated timber is a common hold
- Mark every carton with the consignee name, city and carton number of total
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders before booking, not after
Other modes into Taiwan
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity rules change by ministerial decision. The figures here are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your HS code with Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance or your broker before shipping.
📊 China to Taiwan — Shipping Reference Data
| Main sea gateways | Kaohsiung, Taichung, Keelung |
|---|---|
| Destination customs authority | Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance |
| De-minimis / duty-free threshold | TWD 2,000, and only twice in any six-month window per consignee |
| Import tax & duty regime | Business tax 5%; duty 0–30% depending on commodity |
| Local currency | TWD |
| Typical clearance / dwell time | 1–3 days |
| Peak / busy season | Sep–Nov |
| Conformity & certification | BSMI commodity inspection mark for electrical and consumer goods; NCC approval for radio devices |
Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.
🧰 Free 3D Loading Tools for This Sea Route
This page covers a Sea freight service from China to Taiwan. Use the matching tool below to plan your cargo before requesting a quote.
3D Container Loading Planner
Wondering whether your cargo fills a 20GP or needs a 40HQ for this Taiwan route? The 3D container planner simulates cartons, crates, pallets, and even mixed box sizes in one container.
Open Container Planner →✅ Taiwan Sea Freight Checklist
- Confirm whether your Taiwan rate is per CBM or per container before comparing quotes.
- Ask whether the quote includes destination port charges in Taiwan or only ocean freight.
- Reserve loading space 5-7 days before the sailing cut-off for this route during peak season.
- Declare accurate gross weight — VGM misdeclaration delays vessels and triggers fines.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Sea DDP Door-to-Door from China to Taiwan take?
Sea freight on this route runs about 25–45 calendar days door-to-door, plus roughly 1–3 days of clearance/dwell once it reaches the gateway. All times include customs clearance under DDP terms.
What duties and taxes apply when importing into Taiwan?
Clearance is handled by Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance. The regime is: 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. Under DDP these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival.
Which ports or airports does this route use into Taiwan?
Sea cargo to Taiwan clears through Kaohsiung, Taichung, Keelung; air freight clears via TPE (Taoyuan), KHH (Kaohsiung). We route through whichever gateway gives the fastest onward delivery to your address and build it into the DDP price.
What does DDP shipping to Taiwan include on this route?
DDP means one price covering freight, the duty/tax owed to Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance, and last-mile delivery to your door in Taiwan. There are no surprise charges at destination.
What certification is needed to import into 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 most common clearance hold with Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance, so confirm requirements for your HS code before shipping.
How is the shipping cost on this route calculated?
We compare actual gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000) and charge the greater, rounded up to the next kilogram, then apply the per-KG rate shown in the table above.
Inland Delivery Coverage — Taiwan
We deliver beyond the arrival gateway. Each city below has its own destination guide covering the gateway it clears through, typical inland transit time and the local customs picture.
Note — these are reference guides, not quotes. The city pages describe routing, gateways and clearance for each destination. They do not carry rate tables. For pricing to any city listed here, use the rate table on this page or ask us for a quote.
- Taipei TPE air / Keelung sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- New Taipei TPE air / Taipei Port sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Taoyuan TPE air / Taipei Port sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Taichung RMQ air / Taichung sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Tainan TPE air / Kaohsiung sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Kaohsiung KHH air / Kaohsiung sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Hsinchu TPE air / Taipei Port sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Keelung Keelung sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
Shipping Taiwan cargo by industry
This rate is for the lane. What decides whether the cargo arrives intact is the commodity — how it prices, how it must be packed and loaded, and which compliance step holds it at the border. These guides cover that per industry.
- Technical Textiles Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather
- Wigs & Hair Products Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather
- Fire Alarm Equipment Fire, Safety & Traffic Products
- Restaurant Furniture Retail, Display & Commercial Fixtures
- Amusement Equipment Toys, Sports, Outdoor & Leisure
- Gifts Consumer Goods & Gifts
- Amazon FBA E-commerce & Retail Channels
- Metal Fabrication Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Cutting Tools Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Compressors General Machinery & Industrial Equipment
- Automated Storage Equipment Construction, Mining & Material Handling
- Electrical Cabinets New Energy, Power & Electrical
📞 Contact Us
Ready to ship? Our team responds within one business day. We also handle sourcing and purchasing.