F01 = the code in the Import Regulations column of a CCC tariff code, meaning an import inspection application must be filed with Taiwan FDA (TFDA, Ministry of Health and Welfare) under the Regulations of Inspection of Imported Foods and Related Products (classification list effective 2026-04-01). For food made in mainland China, first check for MW0: Chapters 1–24 marked MW0 may not be imported, and personal-use allowances do not apply. File the inspection within 15 days before the goods arrive at the port or after arrival; depending on risk, goods are inspected batch by batch or by batch sampling, and an import permit notice is issued if they pass. General food not for sale, valued at US$1,000 or less and within 6 kg, can be exempted from the inspection application.
F01 is an import regulation code in the "Classification List of Goods under Import Regulations F01 and F02 of the Republic of China" announced by TFDA: goods whose CCC tariff code is marked F01 must, on import, apply to Taiwan FDA (Ministry of Health and Welfare) for import inspection under the Regulations of Inspection of Imported Foods and Related Products (the latest version of the list took effect on 2026-04-01). When importing from mainland China, first check whether the same column shows MW0: MW0 is the "mainland goods not permitted for import" trade control, and food in Chapters 1–24 marked MW0 cannot be imported; the small-quantity permit exemption covers only industrial products in Chapters 25–97, and the personal-use inspection exemption only exempts the F01 inspection, not MW0. Inspection in practice: businesses required to register as food businesses must complete registration first; within 15 days before the goods arrive at the port or after arrival, file with the port inspection authority using the inspection application form, product data sheet and a copy of the import declaration (a customs broker can file on your behalf); incomplete documents must be supplemented within 30 days of the notice being served, extendable once by 30 days. Based on risk, the inspection authority applies batch-by-batch inspection, intensified batch sampling (20%–50%), general batch sampling (2%–10%), batch-by-batch document checks, verification inspection or monitoring inspection; goods that pass receive an import permit notice, and goods that fail may request one re-inspection within 15 days, otherwise they are returned or destroyed, or an application may be made for correction within a set period. Products not subject to batch-by-batch inspection may apply for release under bond when testing takes more than 5 days, checks or sampling are difficult, or the goods are perishable; in some cases a deposit of 1 to 4 times the dutiable value is required. Goods not for sale and within the announced quantities can be exempted from the inspection application: general food valued at US$1,000 or less and weighing within 6 kg; tablet- or capsule-form food up to 12 bottles per type and no more than 36 bottles in total. Exempted goods may not be sold; goods to be sold must go through inspection and carry Chinese labeling. Inspection fees are charged per the schedule of the Standards for Fees Charged for Inspection of Imported Foods and Related Products.
F01 food import inspection in 5 steps
- Look up the tariff code: check MW0 before F01Look up the Import Regulations column of the CCC tariff code. If a mainland China product is also marked MW0 (mainland goods not permitted for import), food in Chapters 1–24 cannot be imported, and neither an inspection application nor a personal-use allowance can fix that; only items not marked MW0 move on to the F01 inspection process.
- Confirm food business registrationFood businesses of the categories and scale announced by the central competent authority must apply for registration before operating (Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, Article 8, Paragraph 3). TFDA has explained that the border inspection system checks the importer's registration number before accepting an inspection application; whether you fall within the registration scope is determined by TFDA's current announcements.
- Apply for inspection before or after arrivalWithin 15 days before the goods arrive at the port or after arrival, fill in the inspection application form and product data sheet, attach a copy of the import declaration, and apply to the port inspection authority by the electronic method it designates; a customs broker can file on your behalf with a letter of authorization. For one inspection application number, the declaration, tariff code, product name, ingredients, brand, manufacturer and place of origin must all be identical.
- Cooperate with checks or samplingBased on risk, the inspection authority applies batch-by-batch inspection, intensified batch sampling (20%–50%), general batch sampling (2%–10%), batch-by-batch document checks, verification inspection or monitoring inspection. Selected batches are checked or sampled where they are stored, and the costs of lifting, unstuffing or moving containers are borne by the inspection applicant. Incomplete documents must be supplemented within 30 days of notice (extendable once by 30 days).
- Obtain the import permit or handle a failureIf the goods pass, the automated border inspection system issues an import permit notice; if they fail, you may apply for one re-inspection within 15 days of receiving the notice, otherwise the goods are returned or destroyed, or, depending on the case, you may apply for disinfection, reprocessing or relabeling within a set period. Goods to be sold must carry Chinese labeling.
Key data quick check
| F01 definition | Imported goods must undergo an import inspection application with TFDA under the Regulations of Inspection of Imported Foods and Related Products (TFDA announcement of 2026-03-24, effective ROC 115-04-01) |
|---|---|
| F02 definition | An import inspection application is required only if the goods are food, food utensils, food containers or packaging, food detergents or other food-related uses, or contain such items |
| Food made in mainland China | Check MW0 first: Chapters 1–24 marked MW0 may not be imported; the small-quantity exemption covers only "mainland industrial products not permitted for import" in Chapters 25–97 and does not apply to food |
| When to apply | Within 15 days before arrival at the port or after arrival (Article 3 of the Regulations) |
| Required documents | Inspection application form + product data sheet + copy of the import declaration (Article 4) |
| Inspection methods | Batch by batch / intensified batch sampling 20%–50% / general batch sampling 2%–10% / batch-by-batch document checks / verification inspection / monitoring inspection (Article 8) |
| Deadline to supplement | 30 days, extendable once by 30 days; applications not supplemented by the deadline are not accepted (Articles 6, 7) |
| Release under bond | Available for products not subject to batch-by-batch inspection when testing takes over 5 days, checks or sampling are difficult, or goods are perishable; in some cases a deposit of 1 to 4 times the dutiable value is required (Articles 19, 20, in force from ROC 114-09-01) |
| Failed inspection | One re-inspection may be requested within 15 days; otherwise return, destruction or an application for correction within a set period (Articles 23, 24) |
| Personal-use exemption | General food US$1,000 or less and within 6 kg; tablets/capsules ≤12 bottles per type, ≤36 bottles in total; may not be sold |
| Fees | Per the schedule of the Standards for Fees Charged for Inspection of Imported Foods and Related Products (review fee, on-site fee, overtime fee, testing fee, etc.) |
regulatory basis
- Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, Articles 8, 30, 33, 51 (Laws & Regulations Database)
- Regulations of Inspection of Imported Foods and Related Products (amended ROC 114-08-21)
- Standards for Fees Charged for Inspection of Imported Foods and Related Products (amended ROC 115-01-27)
- Regulations Governing Trade Between the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, Article 7
- Regulations Governing Customs Clearance Procedures for Maritime Express Consignments, Article 3 (amended ROC 115-02-23)
Common mistakes and precautions
- Thinking personal use within 6 kg lets you ship food made in mainland China: the personal-use allowance only exempts the F01 inspection; mainland food in Chapters 1–24 marked MW0 still may not be imported.
- Selling exempted goods: the exemption from the inspection application requires that the goods are "not for sale"; anyone who sells exempted products may have their exemption applications suspended for one year (Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, Article 51, Subparagraph 2).
- Mixing different brands or origins under one inspection application number: the declaration, tariff code, product name, ingredients, brand, manufacturer and place of origin of the same batch must all be identical, otherwise the application is not accepted.
- Supplementing documents too late: the deadline is 30 days and can be extended only once; if documents are not supplemented by the deadline, the application for that batch is not accepted.
- Selling before the permit after release under bond: moving, using or selling the goods without authorization before the import permit is obtained leads to forfeiture of the deposit and suspension of bonded-custody applications for one year, and unauthorized sale can additionally be fined 1 to 20 times the selling price (Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, Article 51, Subparagraph 3, applicable to food businesses).
- Sending fresh agricultural, fishery or livestock products through the sea express clearance zone: under Article 3, Paragraph 2, Subparagraph 1 of the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance Procedures for Maritime Express Consignments, imported fresh agricultural, fishery and livestock products may not clear customs in the maritime express consignment zone.
Glossary
- F01
- Import regulation code: imported goods must apply for import inspection with the Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, under the Regulations of Inspection of Imported Foods and Related Products.
- F02
- Import regulation code: goods under it require an import inspection application under the same Regulations only if they have a food-related use or contain food-related items.
- MW0
- Mainland goods not permitted for import (announced by the Ministry of Economic Affairs). Under Article 7 of the Regulations Governing Trade Between the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, goods from the mainland area may not be imported except in the situations listed in that article (such as special approval).
- Inspection applicant
- A business that imports food, food additives, food utensils, food containers or packaging, food detergents and similar products (Article 2 of the Regulations).
- Batch sampling inspection
- Batches are sampled at a set sampling rate, and a selected batch is checked and tested; intensified batch sampling 20%–50%, general batch sampling 2%–10% (Article 8 of the Regulations).
- Release under bond
- For products not subject to batch-by-batch inspection, the inspection applicant gives a written undertaking to take custody responsibility and clears the goods first; the goods are kept at a designated place and may not be moved, used or sold before the import permit is obtained (Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, Article 33; Articles 19–21 of the Regulations).
- Import permit notice
- The notice issued by the inspection authority through the automated border inspection management information system once the goods meet the requirements (Article 22 of the Regulations).
Cited references
The content of this question is quoted from the "Customs Declaration Literature Index Database" built by HowBridge (More than 1,171 copiesGovernment regulations, official manuals, judicial interpretations, intensive reading of academic literature), each article is accompanied by links to government/judicial primary sources for verification:
- Regulation Amendment to the Table of Goods Classification for Import Regulations F01 and F02 of the Republic of China (list of items subject to border import inspection control for food F01 and for food utensils, containers and packaging F02; effective from 1 April, 2026) Import requirement tables for food F01 and food utensils/containers F02: CCC codes marked F01/F02 require TFDA import inspection. The new version takes effect on 2026/4/1. www.fda.gov.tw
- Regulation Regulations Governing Inspection of Imported Food and Related Products (full text) — the five border inspection methods, namely batch-by-batch inspection, batch sampling, batch testing and monitoring inspection, and the declaration procedure The foundational rules for Taiwan's food border inspections define batch-by-batch, sampled-batch inspection at 20-50% or 2-10%, monitoring and other methods, plus return and destruction procedures. law.moj.gov.tw
- Official manual Overview of border import inspection of food and related products (the declaration obligation under Article 30 of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, F01/F02, and the return or destruction of non-compliant goods) — Ministry of Health and Welfare Overview of food border inspection: F01/F02 foods require inspection under Food Safety Act §30; noncompliant goods are returned or destroyed and operators' names published under §52. www.mohw.gov.tw
- Government research report Analysis of the issues in implementing systematic inspection of imported food Legislative Yuan issue analysis of gaps in systematic inspection of imported food, including overseas factory audits: recommendations on equivalence criteria, on-site audit budgets and remedies. www.ly.gov.tw
- Government research report Benefit assessment report on the programme to strengthen the safety management of imported food (commissioned research report on the benefit assessment of medium- and long-term individual programmes) See this effectiveness assessment for the institutional context of Taiwan's imported food safety management program, border inspection staffing and resource constraints, the history of amendments and source management, and quantified performance. ws.ndc.gov.tw