Which climbing gear can you ship to Taiwan, and which items are prohibited from import?
Three key points
First, climbing helmets can be shipped.They fall under 6506.10.90.90-7, with a Column I tariff rate of 7.5% and C02 but no MW0; of the nine items (9 項) designated by the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection for mandatory inspection under C02, none is a mountaineering or rock-climbing helmet.
Second, small metal parts are the real pitfall.The import requirement for 7326.90.59.00-4 (other industrial articles of iron or steel) and 8308.20.00.00-9 (tubular rivets) is MW0—imports of mainland Chinese goods are prohibited; 7616.10.00.00-0 is subject to MP1, which permits imports under specified conditions. The same part can face vastly different outcomes depending on its 11-digit tariff classification.
Third, the headlamp itself can be shipped, but lithium batteries cannot.Article 37, paragraph 3 (37 條第 3 款) of the Regulations Governing the Handling of Mail prohibits mailing “flammable, explosive or other dangerous goods”; Chunghwa Post’s international parcel page expressly states: “Unlawful air transport of dangerous goods (including all types of 3C products containing lithium batteries, lead-acid batteries and pressurized aerosol cans) is punishable under the Civil Aviation Act (民航法) by a fine, in New Taiwan dollars, of 2 萬 (20,000) to 10 萬 (100,000).”
Do climbing helmets require inspection? How do they differ from motorcycle helmets?
Climbing helmets fall under "6506.10.90.90-7 Other safety headgear," with a Column I duty rate of 7.5%. The import requirements column lists only C02, with no MW0 prohibition on imports from mainland China, so shipping them from China to Taiwan is permitted under import controls.
The legal wording of C02 states that "some commodities under this code are subject to mandatory import inspection as announced by the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, Ministry of Economic Affairs." A check of the bureau's product listings by tariff code shows 9 categories under 6506.10.90: motorcycle helmets; bicycle helmets; industrial protective helmets; hardball baseball helmets; rubber-ball baseball and softball helmets; catcher's helmets; protective helmets for roller skating, skateboarding and inline skating; welding face shields; and eye protectors. None covers mountaineering or climbing helmets. In other words, although both are called "safety headgear," motorcycle helmets require inspection, while no corresponding published listing was found for climbing helmets.
| 11-digit code | Description | Column I duty rate | Import requirements | Consolidated shipping eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6506.10.90.90-7 | Other safety headgear (includes climbing helmets) | 7.5% | C02 | ✅ No MW0; the 9 C02 categories do not include mountaineering or climbing helmets |
| 6506.10.90.10-4 | Steel helmets and helmet liners | 7.5% | (blank) | ✅ Import permitted |
| 6506.10.10.00-3 | Firefighters' helmets | 7.5% | (blank) | ✅ Import permitted |
| 6506.99.90.10-8 | Other headgear, of textile materials | 10% | C02 | ✅ Import permitted (for uses other than safety headgear) |
Why aren't climbing shoes classified as 「運動鞋靴」 at the 5% duty rate?
Many people see "sports footwear: 5%" in the tariff schedule and apply it directly. But Subheading Note 1 to Chapter 64 of the Customs Import Tariff defines "sports footwear" very narrowly. The wording is as follows:
For the purposes of subheadings 640212, 640219, 640312, 640319 and 640411, the expression "sports footwear" applies only to: (a) footwear designed for a sporting activity and having, or having provision for the attachment of, spikes, sprigs, stops, clips, bars or the like; (b) skating boots, ski-boots and cross-country ski footwear, snowboard boots, wrestling boots, boxing boots and cycling shoes.
Climbing shoes are neither designed to accept spikes nor included in the exhaustive list in (b), so they cannot be classified under the "sports footwear" subheadings. In practice, climbing shoes are classified by their upper material, and all three material categories have a Column I duty rate of 7.5%.
| 11-digit code | Upper material | Column I duty rate | Import requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6402.99.90.39-0 | Plastic (synthetic leather) uppers | 7.5% | (blank) |
| 6403.99.90.90-5 | Genuine leather uppers | 7.5% | (blank) |
| 6404.19.00.90-0 | Textile uppers | 7.5% | C02 (inspection applies only to safety and protective footwear) |
| 6402.19.00.28-9 | (For comparison) Mountaineering boots with plastic uppers | 5% | (blank) |
| 6403.19.00.80-3 | (For comparison) Mountaineering footwear with leather uppers | 5% | (blank) |
| 6404.11.00.70-2 | (For comparison) Mountaineering boots with textile uppers | 7.5% | (blank) |
Mountaineering boots have dedicated statistical codes: 6402.19.00.28-9 and 6403.19.00.80-3 carry 5% duty, but mountaineering boots with textile uppers under 6404.11.00.70-2 still carry 7.5%. So the claim that "sports footwear subheadings mean 5% duty" is itself not entirely correct.
Why are small metal parts the real hurdle at customs?
The easiest import pitfalls to overlook in climbing gear are the unassuming metal parts. For the same "small metal part," the 11-digit classification determines whether it clears without a permit, requires a review of import conditions, or is prohibited from import altogether.
Aluminum-alloy carabiners, quickdraws, belay devices and ascenders generally fall under "7616.99.90.00-5 Other articles of aluminum," with a Column I duty rate of 5% and a blank import requirements field. No published mandatory-inspection listing was found.
Take particular care with these codes
Imports from mainland China are prohibited. If steel climbing hardware is classified as "industrial," it cannot be imported from China.
Imports from mainland China are prohibited.
Imports from mainland China are permitted subject to conditions and must comply with the Consolidated List of Import Regulations.
An incorrect subheading can make webbing material prohibited from import. The correct code for webbing material is 5806.32.90.00-9 (6.8%, no listed import requirements).
As above, imports from mainland China are prohibited.
For comparison: these classifications permit import
| 11-digit code | Description | Column I duty rate | Import requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7326.90.90.90-6 | Other articles of iron or steel (steel carabiners/hardware) | 6.2% | C02; five items (5 項) are officially listed under this tariff code, of which the climbing-related item is “load-bearing hooks and shackles” |
| 5607.50.00.00-6 | Twine, cordage and ropes of other synthetic fibers (nylon dynamic ropes) | 6.8% | (blank) |
| 5609.00.40.00-7 | Articles made from cordage of man-made fibers (rope loops and rope ladders) | 10% | (blank) |
| 5806.32.90.00-9 | Other narrow woven fabrics, of man-made fibers (webbing material) | 6.8% | (blank) |
| 6307.90.90.90-1 | Other made-up textile articles (the most likely classification for climbing harnesses) | 10% | C02; seven items (7 項) are officially listed under this tariff code, of which the closest match is a Class A full-body safety harness for occupational use |
| 8308.10.00.00-1 | Hooks, eyes and eyelets, of base metal | 10% | (blank) |
| 8308.90.90.00-5 | Other goods of heading 8308 | 6.8% | (blank) |
Customs has the final authority on tariff classification. Heading 8308 is not the classification for climbing carabiners: its wording covers small fittings for clothing, leather goods and travel goods. In practice, climbing carabiners are classified by material under 7616.99.90 (aluminum) or 7326.90.90 (steel). For high-value goods or uncertain classifications, request an advance tariff classification ruling from the Customs Administration before shipping. Do not wait until the goods arrive to discover that their tariff code prohibits import.
Can you ship headlamps? Why aren't lithium batteries allowed?
The headlamp itself falls under "8513.10.90.00-3 Other portable electric lamps," with a Column I duty rate of 5% and a blank import requirements field. No published BSMI mandatory-inspection listing was found, making the lamp itself straightforward to handle. The complication is the battery: two independent sets of rules apply, and both must be satisfied.
Article 37, paragraph 3 (37 條第 3 款) of the Regulations Governing the Handling of Mail prohibits mailing “flammable, explosive or other dangerous goods.” The ninth category in Chunghwa Post’s nine-category table of prohibited dangerous goods is “other dangerous goods” (the table lists only the nine category names; it does not identify individual items). Lithium batteries are specifically identified in the regulatory note on Chunghwa Post’s international parcel page: “Unlawful air transport of dangerous goods (including all types of 3C products containing lithium batteries, lead-acid batteries and pressurized aerosol cans) is punishable under the Civil Aviation Act (民航法) by a fine, in New Taiwan dollars, of 2 萬 (20,000) to 10 萬 (100,000).”
⚠️ A separate list of “Items Prohibited or Restricted from Being Mailed into Mainland China” expressly names “mobile phones, lithium batteries, power banks, tablets, laptops and related products with built-in lithium batteries.” However, that list governs shipments from Taiwan to mainland China, the opposite direction to this page’s China→Taiwan route, and is provided for comparison only.
Article 43, paragraph 1 of the Civil Aviation Act prohibits carrying or consigning dangerous goods onto aircraft unless they comply with internationally accepted dangerous-goods handling standards adopted by the Civil Aviation Administration. Under Article 112-2 of the same Act, violations carry a fine of NT$20,000 to NT$100,000 (an administrative fine, not a criminal penalty, enforced by the Aviation Police Bureau). The Civil Aviation Administration's Lithium Battery Precautions poster also states explicitly: "Air cargo containing lithium batteries must be declared to the airline." For passengers, spare batteries are "permitted in carry-on baggage only, not in checked baggage." Batteries exceeding 100 watt-hours but not exceeding 160 watt-hours require airline approval, with a maximum of 2 per person. Those are passenger rules; consolidated freight is governed by a different set of rules.
Lithium-ion batteries and power banks (8507.60.00.90-0/8507.60.00.10-7, Column I duty rate 2.5%) are subject to mandatory inspection in Taiwan under BSMI listings for "secondary lithium cells/batteries for 3C products" and "secondary lithium power banks for 3C products." These requirements are independent of whether the goods may be transported by air.
Remove the headlamp's battery and carry it with you, or buy a replacement in Taiwan. Do not pack a headlamp containing a lithium battery in your consolidated shipment.
How do you declare climbing chalk to customs?
The main ingredient in climbing chalk is magnesium carbonate, classified under "2836.99.20.00-4 Magnesium carbonate (including light magnesium carbonate, heavy magnesium carbonate and magnesia alba)," with a Column I duty rate of 5%. There is no MW0 restriction, so imports from mainland China are permitted. The import requirements column lists 508, a Taiwan Food and Drug Administration requirement for food additives.
Point 4 of requirement 508 expressly states: "For imports not intended for use as food or food additives, enter the dedicated code DH999999999508 on the import declaration to be exempt from the above requirements." Climbing chalk is clearly for non-food use, so this dedicated code applies.
For liquid chalk containing alcohol, we found no published provision explicitly addressing postal shipment. "No explicit provision found" does not mean "permitted to ship," so do not read this as confirmation that liquid chalk can also be sent. Alcohol content falls within carriers' assessment of flammable goods; confirm acceptance before shipping.
Is UIAA/CE certification a statutory requirement in Taiwan?
UIAA has corresponding standards for the main equipment categories: UIAA 101 for dynamic ropes, 103 for tape, 104 for slings, 105 for harnesses, 106 for helmets and 121 for connectors (carabiners). The EU standards include EN 892 (dynamic ropes), EN 12277 (harnesses), EN 12275 (connectors) and EN 12492 (mountaineering helmets). These are harmonised standards under the EU Personal Protective Equipment Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2016/425, and confer a “presumption of conformity” on products.
We checked the BSMI mandatory-inspection product list item by item and found no published listing that specifically names helmets, harnesses, carabiners or dynamic ropes for climbing or mountaineering as subject to mandatory inspection.
"Full-body harnesses" for occupational safety are explicitly listed, limited to Class A full-body harnesses under CNS 14253-1, used with an energy-absorbing lanyard or a lanyard and energy absorber. These are occupational fall-protection devices, distinct from sit harnesses used for climbing. Do not confuse the two, or infer that "Taiwan does not regulate climbing gear at all."
In Taiwan, no government agency checks your climbing helmet for you; UIAA/CE markings are the only third-party verification you can rely on.Buying inexpensive equipment is fine, but avoid products without a standard number. Research using the International Alpine Trauma Registry also notes that the climbing accident literature contains virtually no documented cases of “equipment failure”, while the team’s registry data show that falls to the ground are the most common injury mechanism (51.4%). For belaying errors, the paper cites Lack et al.（2012） as reporting that they account for approximately 12% of climbing injuries (a different study with a different denominator)—buying equipment with the right specifications is just the starting point; knowing how to use it is what matters.
What should you check before shipping climbing gear from the Shenzhen warehouse?
HowBridge has only a Shenzhen warehouse for consolidation and a Taoyuan warehouse for operations, and provides consolidated shipping only from China → Taiwan. We do not have warehouses in the US, Europe or any other country, and we do not offer US West Coast shipment consolidation or overseas transshipment. This page explains Taiwan's import requirements for purchases made on Chinese e-commerce platforms and shipped to Taiwan through the Shenzhen warehouse.
Four checks before shipping
1Confirm the tariff codes for small metal parts
Steel hardware, rivets and bolts are the biggest pitfalls on this page. Before ordering, ask the seller for the product description and material, and request an advance tariff classification ruling from the Customs Administration if necessary. Classification under 7326.90.59 or 8308.20 means import is prohibited. If you discover this only after arrival, the goods can only be returned.
2Remove lithium batteries
Do not place lithium batteries built into headlamps, electronic belay devices or Bluetooth devices in your consolidated shipment. Postal rules explicitly prohibit them. For air freight, the carrier must declare and handle them under international dangerous-goods standards.
3Confirm the subheading for webbing material
Two narrow woven fabric codes carry MW0: 5806.10.30.00-8 and 5806.39.90.00-2. Webbing already sewn into loops generally falls under 6307.90.90.90-1 or 5609.00.40.00-7, both of which permit import.
4Keep proof of purchase
Customs value is assessed on the basis of the transaction value. Retain complete order screenshots and payment records to reduce valuation disputes.
Supporting sources and literature
The duty rates and import requirements on this page were taken entry by entry from the Ministry of Finance Customs Administration's open Customs Import Tariff dataset (complete 11-digit table, downloaded 2026-09-08), then cross-checked against the ROC year 112 edition of the Combined Customs Import Tariff and Classification of Import and Export Commodities and the International Trade Administration's chapter classification tables. All three sources agree.
Legislation and official sources
- Ministry of Finance Customs Administration, Customs Import Tariff government open dataset (complete 11-digit table, 12,679 entries)
- Combined Customs Import Tariff and Classification of Import and Export Commodities of the Republic of China, ROC year 112 edition, lower volume, Chapter 64, Subheading Note 1
- Ministry of Economic Affairs International Trade Administration, Commodity Classification Management System: chapter classification tables and explanations of import requirement codes
- Ministry of Economic Affairs Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, Product Listings by Tariff Code: mandatory-inspection product search
- Regulations Governing the Handling of Mail, Article 37, subparagraph 3; Chunghwa Post's nine categories of prohibited dangerous goods; cross-strait postal prohibited-items list
- Civil Aviation Act, Article 43, paragraph 1 and Article 112-2; Civil Aviation Administration, Lithium Battery Precautions poster
- Regulations Governing Exemption from Inspection of Commodities, Article 5 (personal-use exemption thresholds: total value of goods of the same specification and model on one declaration not exceeding US$1,000, or category-specific limits such as 4/2 protective helmets)
- UIAA Safety Standards list; EU harmonized standards for personal protective equipment under Regulation (EU) 2016/425
Academic literature
Climbing Accidents—Prospective Data Analysis from the International Alpine Trauma Registry and Systematic Review of the Literature
The paper explicitly states that previous literature did not mention equipment failure. Its registry data identify falls to the ground as the most common injury mechanism (51.4%). Separately, it cites Lack et al.（2012） as reporting that belaying errors account for approximately 12% of climbing injuries—supporting the point that buying equipment with the right specifications is just the starting point; knowing how to use it is what matters.
Risk factors and injury prevention strategies for overuse injuries in adult climbers: a systematic review
Climbing injuries are predominantly associated with overuse (the source reports a <strong>one-year prevalence</strong> of approximately 50% and a point prevalence of 22.8%, with injuries concentrated in the fingers, shoulders and elbows)—supporting the inclusion of protective gear and supplementary training equipment in the purchasing checklist.
We could not obtain the original provisions of the Regulations Governing the Air Transport of Dangerous Goods for this review. Related statements therefore rely on the parent Civil Aviation Act and Civil Aviation Administration guidance, which are indirect sources for those provisions. We also found no published statement in the Civil Aviation Administration's official poster supporting the online claim that "up to 20 batteries below 100 watt-hours" are permitted, so that claim has been removed from this page. We likewise found no publicly available Taiwanese theses on climbing-equipment safety and have cited international open-access literature instead.
Frequently asked questions
6506.10.90.90-7, with import requirement C02. The legal wording of C02 says that "some commodities under this code" require inspection. Of the 9 categories BSMI lists under this code (motorcycle, bicycle, industrial, baseball, softball, catcher's and inline-skating helmets, welding face shields and eye protectors), none covers mountaineering or climbing use. Customs and BSMI retain final authority over the determination.7616.99.90.00-5 (5%, no import requirements) are the most straightforward; steel items classified under 7326.90.90.90-6 (6.2%, C02; among the five listed items (5 項) under this code, the climbing-related item is “load-bearing hooks and shackles”) can also be imported. However, 7326.90.59.00-4 (other industrial articles of iron or steel) and 8308.20.00.00-9 (tubular rivets) are subject to MW0—imports of mainland Chinese goods are prohibited. Customs has the authority to determine classification; if uncertain, apply for an advance tariff classification ruling.Further reading
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