Print

When passing through customs, there are two lines: "Nothing to Declare" and "Goods to Declare". Those that go through the "Nothing to Declare" line can still be selected to pass their bags through X-Ray and/or have the bags physically searched.

Goods to be declared

The following items may be imported by persons over 20 years of age without incurring customs duty:
• The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited, although amounts over US$10,000 must be declared on arrival
• 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 454g of tobacco
• One bottle (not more than 1l) of alcoholic beverage
• Reasonable quantities of perfume for personal use
• New, unused items should not exceed the value of NT$20,000 (NT$10,000 for passengers under 20 years of age)
• All baggage must be itemized and declared in writing

Prohibited Goods

Note that drug offences are treated very seriously in Taiwan. Smuggling, trafficking, possession or use of illegal drugs may lead to a severe sentence.

Narcotics, arms, ammunition, gambling articles, non-canned meat products, fresh fruit and toy pistols are also prohibited. Publications promoting communism are prohibited, as are items originating in Albania, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China (PR), Cuba, Korea (Dem Rep), Laos, Romania, Vietnam and members of the CIS.

Pets

If you are bringing pets with you, documentation is required and you will need to plan in advance. Taiwan is a rabies-free country which means the import of animals is tightly controlled. A strict dog/cat importation quarantine is enforced. Animals should be vaccinated prior to being imported.

An animal owner or the authorized representative who intends to import dogs / cats (pets) should present the following documents two weeks prior to the date of transport:
• An application form (identifying the scheduled date of import, the applicant and local contact person’s name, address, telephone number, etc.)
• A copy of veterinary (quarantine / health) certificate issued by an official veterinarian of the exporting country with the following information:
  
• 1. The pet’s breed, sex, age (or date of birth), fur color, physical characteristics
• 2. Date of rabies vaccination and the type of vaccine administered. animals should have a primary vaccination at the age of at least 90 days old, and the period between the day of vaccination and the day of shipment shall be no less than 180 days and no more than one year. A booster vaccination may also be necessary at no more than one year prior to shipment.
• Proof of Microchip
• 3. Four ‘4x6”’ photographs of the pet in full body
• A copy of the applicant’s passport or ID

This information is needed to receive a import permit document. This permit, along with the proof of vaccination, should be submitted upon entering the country and the animal entering quarantine. Quarantine usually lasts 21 days and the animal may be sampled and tested again for rabies antibody. If the rabies antibody is under 0.5 IU/ml, the dog or cat shall be re-vaccinate with inactivate rabies vaccine.

It is strongly advised that pets arrive in Taiwan on a weekday morning as pet customs is only open during business hours. If your pet arrives in the evening or on the weekend, you will have to wait until 9:00 AM the next business day to clear customs. If your pet is held at the airport, only you, the owner, will have access to the pet, and you will be responsible for providing food and water.

Costs:
• Airport terminal or airlines handling fee- Approx. USD 50.00
• Quarantine station fee- Approx. USD 25.00/per day/per pet for mandatory 21 day quarantine. (Estimated rate USD 525.00)
• Additional Tax/Duty may be assessed by customs

For more on official regulations, go to NTU Quarantine website.

Customs Resources

Consult Taipei's customs page for more information or consult these nation specific resources.

U.S. Citizens: The free pamphlet "Know Before You Go" at www.cbp.gov is very helpful. (Click on "Travel" and then click on "Know Before You Go! Online Brochure").
You can also contact:
U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP)
1300 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC 20229
Tel. 877/287-8667

Canadian Citizens: "I Declare", issued by the Canada Border Services Agency (tel. 800/461-9999 in Canada, or 204/983-3500 ) is helpful.

U.K. Citizens: HM Customs & Excise at tel. 0845/010-9000 (from outside the U.K., 020/8929-0152) can help.

Australian Citizens: A helpful brochure is available from Australian consulates or Customs offices called "Know Before You Go". Call the Australian Customs Service at tel. 1300/363-263, or log on to www.customs.gov.au.