Distributing a product

Evolution of the sector

Hypermarkets have become very widespread over the last few years as have local shops. There are also very many department stores. At the present time the market is saturated.

Market shares

The main group is Carrefour with about 40 hypermarkets, then comes Géant (about 12 stores), RT Mart Auchan (3 stores) and Costco (3 stores). 7 eleven dominates the local shop market with about 3 000 stores offering many different services and open 24/24.

Organizations in the retail sector

We can identify professional tradeshows on your sector.

Market access procedures

International Conventions

Member of World Trade Organisation

International economic cooperation

In addition to the WTO, Taiwan is a member of the Asian Development Bank as "Taipei, China" and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum as "Chinese Taipei". These developments reflect Taiwan's economic importance and its desire to become further integrated into the global economy. Taiwan and China have signed in 2010 an Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement which plans to facilitate trade between the two "partners" in organizing the progressive reduction of tariffs on hundreds of goods and facilitating the opening of some service industries.

Non tariff barriers

A very open country, with very low Customs duties. However, many Chinese products are prohibited (especially foodstuffs). Some agricultural products are protected, but this is limited as Taiwan is part of the WTO.

Customs duties and taxes on imports

The duties payable on imported goods are essentially defined on an ad valorem, specific, or selective basis, depending on the items involved. At present the average nominal tariff rate is 8.25% and the average effective rate is 3.25%.

Customs classification

The Taiwanese tariffs are based on the Nomenclature of the Harmonized system of Name and Codification of Goods. More information on the taiwanese custom's website.

Import procedures

The Customs levies duties on import goods in accordance with Customs Laws, Customs Import Tariff and other relevant regulations. Under the automated Customs system, cargo clearance is categorized into three types, namely C1 (free of paper and cargo examination), C2 (subject to document scrutiny) and C3 (subject to document scrutiny and cargo examination). Please consult the website Fedex for more information.

Importing samples

Beer and liquor samples must follow liquor requirements if over 5 liters. Splitting a shipment to avoid duty/tax is prohibited. Contact Ministry of Finance for Import Business License. Cosmetic samples containing poisonous or potent medicines require an approval letter from the Department of Health.

For further information

Taipei custom office.
Ministry of Economic Affairs

We can indicate you which are the customs duties applied to your product.

Find out the local taxes that apply to your product.

Organizing goods transport

Main useful means of transport

Sea shipment and air shipment.

Ports

Keelung Harbor Bureau
Port of Kaohsiung
Taichung Harbor

Airports

Taiwan international airport

Sea transport organizations

Maritime Transport Network

Air transport organizations

Ministry of transport and communications.

Road transport organizations

Ministry of Transport.
Directorate general of highways.

Rail transport organizations

Ministry of Transport.
Taïwan Railway Association.

Get a ballpark figure for transportation costs for your product in this country through a shipping estimate.

Identifying a supplier

Type of production

IT sector.

Business directories

Yellow pages
Asia Trade Center

Manufacturers associations of the main industries

Taiwan Electrical and electronic Manufacturers Association.
Taiwan Toy Manufacturers Association.
Taiwan Association of Machinery industry.

Trade Agencies and their representations abroad

Enterprises federation

Standards

National standards organizations

Bureau of Standards

Integration in the international standards network

In an effort to enhance industrial competitiveness, maintain fair trade, and protect consumers as well as ensuring sustainable economic development, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection under the Ministry of Economic Affairs has been dedicated to promoting standardization, metrology and inspection systems in line with international practices.
Bilaterally, the BSMI has concluded cooperation arrangements with 30 organizations of 23 countries. More information on the Bureau of standards website.

Classification of standards

Online consultation of standards

Bureau of standards website.

Certification organizations

Bureau of standards

Find out the standards and labelling requirements that apply to your products.

Intellectual Property

National organizations

In order to register a patent, a trademark or a technical design, it is necessary to present it beforehand to The Intellectual Property Office and apply to an expert in Taiwanese patents recognized by the authorities.

Regional organizations

Chinese Intellectual Property Protection Association.

International membership