General air or sea imports
No single fixed timeDeclarations, C1/C2/C3 routing, duties and taxes, regulatory review, warehouses and carriers differ from case to case. The Customs Administration publishes no single SLA covering every import.
How long does customs clearance take? Taiwan clearance times and delivery after release
The short answer: how long does clearance take in Taiwan?
There is no fixed number of days that applies to every parcel. Shipments cleared without document review or physical inspection normally go through the fewest steps; document review, cargo inspection, classification and valuation, or requests for additional paperwork all add stages. When tracking shows "import clearance completed", it usually means customs has released the goods — you still have to wait for the bonded warehouse to release the cargo, and for the carrier to sort and deliver it.
📅 Last substantive update: · ✍️ HowBridge Logistics editorial team · 🔎 Verified against the Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance (財政部關務署) and current law
The 9 stages from international dispatch to delivery in Taiwan
“Clearance time” often gets mixed up with international transit and final-mile delivery. Splitting the journey into nine stages shows where a parcel is actually waiting. Each stage varies with the flight or sailing, warehouse operations, declaration details and regulator requirements:
1International transport
The parcel travels from the exporting country to Taiwan by air, sea or post. This leg is not yet Taiwan customs clearance.
2Manifest transmission
The carrier transmits manifest data to customs. Eligible cases may be declared before the goods arrive.
3Unloading, deconsolidation and warehouse entry
After reaching Taiwan, goods still have to be unloaded, deconsolidated or sorted and placed in the warehouse. “Arrived in Taiwan” does not mean the declaration has been released.
4Complete the authorization
Anyone using online authorization must verify the advance data in EZWay. A legally valid paper authorization may also be used under the rules; the app is not the only lawful route.
5Declaration and corrections
The customs broker transmits the import declaration. Errors in the description, quantity, value or documents must be corrected before processing can continue.
6C1 / C2 / C3 routing
A general declaration may be routed to C1 no document review or inspection, C2 document review, or C3 cargo inspection. Simplified express declarations are handled under the applicable rules.
7Regulatory review, permits or inspection
Food, plants, animal products, medicines and other controlled goods may also require review, sampling or on-site inspection by the competent authority.
8Valuation, duties and customs release
Customs completes tariff classification, valuation and any required checks. Duties and taxes must be paid through the official process before goods that meet all conditions can be released.
9Warehouse-out, sorting and final-mile delivery
After customs release, warehouse charges, collection, carrier sorting and final-mile delivery still remain. Release therefore does not mean same-day delivery.
包裹一直顯示「清關中」沒動，是卡在哪一關？
「清關中」代表報單已進海關、尚未放行；卡點多半是補件、查驗或稅費未繳三者之一。
進口貨物應自進口日翌日起 15 日內報關（關稅法第 16 條），逾期每日加徵滯報費 200 元。報單分流後，C2 文件審核須在翌日海關辦公時間終了前補送書面報單，C3 貨物查驗應自報關日起 10 日內申請會同驗貨；任一段未完成，追蹤就停在「清關中」。稅費自稅款繳納證送達翌日起 14 日內繳納，逾期關稅按日加徵萬分之五滯納金，海關代徵營業稅每逾 2 日加徵 1%。
三個卡點各自的官方時限
- 卡在補件：品名、數量、完稅價格或單據有疑義時，須先更正或補送文件。分流為 C2（文件審核）者，應於翌日海關辦公時間終了前補送書面報單及文件正本，逾時就會順延到下一個辦公日。
- 卡在查驗：分流為 C3（貨物查驗）者，除補送書面文件外，應自報關日起 10 日內申請會同海關驗貨關員查驗，再經審核分類估價後才放行。
- 卡在稅費：稅款繳納證送達的翌日起 14 日內要繳納；關港貿單一窗口的線上繳納只受理核發日 45 天內的稅單，逾期就得改走臨櫃或匯款。關稅逾期按日加徵萬分之五滯納金（關稅法第 74 條），海關代徵營業稅每逾 2 日加徵 1%。
「清關中」不是海關的官方狀態用語——官方進口通關只有收單、分估、驗貨、徵稅、放行五個步驟，「清關中」是承運商用來概括「已申報、未放行」這段期間的說法，它不會告訴你卡在補件、查驗還是稅費。
高雄海洋科大曾文瑞等（2013）在《高雄海洋科大學報》第 27 期以德菲法歸納出進口貨物通關及提領過程的 16 項風險因素與 21 項風險管理策略，並把風險來源分為貨物本身、通關文件缺失與陸上運送段三類；換句話說，包裹停住不一定是海關在審，文件與內陸運送同樣是常見停滯點。
海關放行之後會發生什麼？
海關放行後，放行訊息會傳給報關業者與貨棧，報關人再持提貨單至貨棧繳納倉租後提領；因此「放行」與「送到你手上」中間，還隔著出倉、分撥與末端配送。（依財政部關務署〈進口貨物如何徵稅放行〉與臺北關進口貨物通關流程：收單→分估→驗貨→徵稅→放行。）
Which official time ranges can be treated as customs-clearance time?
Official figures cover different operations. Each number below applies only to the stated process and cannot be added up into a guaranteed parcel-delivery date:
Imported express consignments
Officially described as mostly within a few hoursA Customs Administration FAQ says most express consignments can clear “within a few hours of arrival,” but it does not define the exact starting point of “arrival.” Cases requiring verification, inspection or extra documents are excluded, so vessel or aircraft arrival time cannot be used to calculate a guaranteed release time.
Customs inspection of imported postal parcels
Generally about 1–2 working daysTaipei Customs describes the customs-inspection time for ordinary postal parcels. It excludes postal transport, notification, extra documents, duties and taxes, and final delivery.
Competent-authority processing for food and similar goods
Counted separately by procedureFor example, TFDA publishes processing periods for document review, on-site checks and sampling or laboratory testing. These are regulator processing periods, not an end-to-end customs SLA.
Do not mistake a statutory deadline for a completion time
Deadlines for submitting C2 documents or requesting attendance at a C3 inspection are deadlines for the party concerned, not a customs promise to release the goods within the same number of days. 24-hour clearance operations also do not mean that every manual review, inspection and other authority operates around the clock.
How long does Taipei Port sea-express clearance take? Bali Branch timing
Keelung Customs’ Bali Branch handles import and export clearance at Taipei Port. The official operating rules and HowBridge’s Taipei Port sea-express operating experience are separated below:
Typical case: vessel arrival → customs release / exit from express area
Usually allow 2–4 calendar daysHowBridge’s Taipei Port sea-express operational experience: this period covers berthing, container unloading and deconsolidation, warehouse entry, declaration, X-ray screening, customs release and exit from the express area. This is an operational estimate, not an official customs SLA. Arrivals after Friday or before a long holiday may roll into later staffed working days.
C1 with no X-ray anomaly
Commonly released on the same working dayAll sea-express cargo is screened by X-ray first. If a C1 case has no pending authorization, duties, taxes or data issue and the scan shows no anomaly, release often occurs on the same working day that clearance-line processing is completed. This does not guarantee same-day warehouse exit or delivery.
C3 cargo inspection
Commonly about 1–2 additional working daysAfter cargo reaches the inspection area, the customs broker’s inspection representative assists Customs. When records are complete, scheduling proceeds smoothly and the goods match the declaration, HowBridge commonly sees exit about 1–2 working days later. Time for extra documents, valuation, import-regulation checks or suspected violations is additional.
Does clearance stop completely on Saturdays and Sundays?
Bali Branch’s regular office hours are Monday to Friday, 08:30–12:30 and 13:00–17:00, so routine manual review, inspection scheduling and C3 processing should not count Saturdays or Sundays as normal working days. That does not mean overtime never occurs: urgent cases may apply before a holiday for overtime processing, with staffing arranged by the clearance unit under Customs rules.
X-ray screening is not a separate inspection category alongside C3
In principle, all sea-express cargo undergoes X-ray screening first, regardless of clearance route; simplified express declarations are assigned C1 or C3. C1 with no X-ray anomaly may be released directly. If the scan detects an anomaly, C1 may be changed to C3 and sent to the inspection area. C3 is a cargo inspection selected by the risk system or converted after an anomaly and requires the customs broker’s inspection representative; it is not simply another X-ray pass.
HowBridge operational estimate: “2–4 days” is HowBridge’s Taipei Port sea-express experience from vessel arrival to customs release / exit from the express area. It is not a government-published average or an official customs SLA, and it is not guaranteed. Weekends, container positioning, data synchronization, authorization, duties and taxes, inspections and approvals by other authorities can all extend the timeline.
How long does clearance take? First find out which stage your case is at
| Tracking or clearance status | What it means | What may still be pending | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awaiting authorization confirmation | The customs broker has pushed the data | The recipient has not yet answered "matches" or "does not match" | Verify the house bill number, product description and value right away |
| C1 no review, no inspection | No document review or cargo inspection required | Payment of duties and taxes, release and warehouse pick-up | Act on the tax and logistics notices |
| C2 document review | Customs must review the declaration and supporting documents | Document submission, correction or review | Have your customs broker confirm what is missing |
| C3 cargo inspection | Customs must physically inspect the goods | Inspection scheduling, inspection, classification and valuation, or requests for documents | Have invoices, payment records and product details ready |
| Import clearance completed | Usually means customs has released the goods | Warehouse departure, sorting and final-mile delivery | Switch to the carrier tracking |
Key point: sea freight, sea express and air freight mainly affect transit before arrival in Taiwan. After arrival, unloading, deconsolidation, warehouse entry, declaration and customs procedures still remain. Actual timing depends on the clearance channel, documents, duties and taxes, inspection and on-site operations; customs publishes no fixed number of days applicable to every parcel.
📦 Two critical thresholds for express clearance
(1) Each piece (bag) of sea or air express cargo must have a gross weight of 70 kg or less; anything heavier must be handled as a general import declaration. (2) All sea express cargo, inbound and outbound, must pass an X-ray scanner check (except cargo whose nature is unsuitable for X-ray screening and that has been approved by Customs). Legal basis: Article 6 of the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance for Air Express Consignments (《空運快遞貨物通關辦法》) and Article 3 of the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance for Sea Express Consignments (《海運快遞貨物通關辦法》).
HowBridge measured data: sea freight customs release times
Measured data from HowBridge's own shipments, based on customs timestamps returned by Taiwan's single-window system.
| Within | Cumulative released |
|---|---|
| 60s | 52.3% |
| 1h | 55.4% |
| 6h | 67.4% |
| 24h | 86.4% |
| 48h | 94.7% |
| 72h | 98.4% |
Release to warehouse-out: 78.1% within 24h, 85.5% within 48h (same sample).
Definition: E1 declaration filed → RL customs released. Cumulative percentiles only; no averages (long-tail outliers distort them). Excludes arrival-to-warehouse and warehouse-out-to-delivery, as current data is insufficient to publish.
Source: HowBridge first-party shipment records. Period 2025-09-30 to 2026-08-31, n=894, last verified 2026-08-31. We are a consolidation operator; this is our own operational data, not an industry average.
How long after release / warehouse-out until delivery?
One-sentence answer: how long after clearance is completed?
“Import customs clearance completed” usually means Taiwan Customs has released the parcel — what remains is the logistics leg, not the customs leg. In HowBridge’s own sea-freight data (894 shipments), 78.1% left the warehouse within 24 hours of release and a cumulative 85.5% within 48 hours; sorting and final-mile delivery after warehouse-out vary by carrier and region, so go by the carrier’s tracking page.
Tracking pages word it differently: “Import customs clearance completed”, “Parcel cleared customs at destination” and “Destination clearance completed” usually mean the same thing — the goods have finished Taiwan customs procedures and moved on to warehouse-out and delivery. If it says “export clearance completed”, the parcel is still in the origin country and has not reached Taiwan; see the FAQ for the difference.
- Release → warehouse-out: after customs release, the warehouse and carrier handle departure and sorting; in our data most parcels complete this within 48 hours (distribution above under “HowBridge real-world data”), but it is not a guaranteed value.
- Warehouse-out → delivered: once in final-mile delivery, timing depends on the carrier, the region and holidays; our current data is not sufficient to publish statistics for this leg — if the status stops updating for a long time, contact the carrier directly.
If tracking shows “left the warehouse” or “warehouse-out processing”, the parcel is usually leaving or has left the customs-supervised warehouse. From then on, follow the warehouse and carrier status. Switch to the carrier’s delivery tracking, or use the clearance-node lookup tool above to confirm the current node.
Does customs clear goods on holidays and weekends?
The short answer: does clearance happen at the weekend?
Some operations run 24 hours a day, all year round, but manual review and inspection do not necessarily. Electronic transmission of declarations, release or collection of C1 cargo and collection of cleared express cargo already operate 24 hours a day. C2 document review, C3 inspection, requests for additional documents and special cases depend on each customs office and its overtime staffing.
- Automated operations: declaration transmission, C1 pick-up and express clearance pick-up can keep running.
- Cases needing human intervention: document review, inspection or additional paperwork may be pushed back, although companies can also apply for overtime processing under the rules.
Customs working days — next 30 days at a glance
Today (2026-09-04) is a working day on the government calendar; manual review and inspections are scheduled as usual.
National holidays and days off on the government calendar in the next 30 days (ordinary Saturdays and Sundays not listed) — manual cases may be postponed:
- 2026-09-25：中秋節
- 2026-09-28：孔子誕辰紀念日/教師節
Source: Government Administration Office Calendar (open government data). Around long holidays, volumes and manual cases increase — for urgent shipments, confirm early with your carrier and customs broker.
🧧 Long-weekend reminder
Around long holidays, cases requiring manual handling and higher shipping volumes can cause delays — but that does not mean customs shuts down entirely. For urgent shipments, confirm cut-off times, overtime arrangements and pick-up slots with your carrier and customs broker well in advance.
What gets selected for customs inspection?
According to the Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance (財政部關務署), the customs computer system screens cases using a combination of the company clearance record, the origin of the goods, the nature of the goods and the customs broker involved. No official fixed inspection rate applicable to every parcel has been published, and selection cannot be predicted from price or import frequency alone.
- Clearance record and origin: the customs risk system combines the existing record with the origin of the goods.
- Nature of the goods: goods subject to import regulations, permits, commodity tax or other controls generally require more documents or checks.
- Declared data: where the product description, quantity, value or documents are questionable, correction or inspection may be required.
- Random inspection: customs inspection works on a random-sampling basis; being selected does not mean a violation has been determined.
⚠️ Being inspected ≠ a violation
C3 only means the case must undergo a physical inspection of the goods. If the goods match the declaration once the inspection is finished, they can still be released through the normal procedure. How long it takes depends on the case.
How do you read clearance progress from the clearance channel?
If your tracking page shows no review and no inspection, there are usually fewer customs steps left. If it shows document review or cargo inspection, you still have manual review, inspection scheduling or document requests ahead. This only tells you which stages remain — it cannot be converted into a fixed number of extra days.
The clearance channel is assigned by customs based on the clearance record, origin, nature of the goods, the customs broker and other risk factors. No official fixed probability or guaranteed number of days applicable to every parcel has been published. Full definitions of C1／C2／C3, simplified declarations, formal declarations and X1–X4 are covered in one place in our guide to simplified and customs declarations.
EZWay advance authorization confirmation: avoid getting stuck on unconfirmed data
After confirming in EZWay, how long until clearance or warehouse departure?
Tapping "Declaration matches" only means the advance authorization is confirmed and the customs broker can proceed with the declaration. It does not mean customs guarantees release within a fixed time. If the data is wrong or the parcel is not yours, tap "Declaration does not match" and contact the customs broker — do not confirm blindly just to speed things up.
Customs Administration press release (February 2026): “Advance confirmation of authorization means that after a consumer buys goods online from abroad, the customs broker first pushes the shipment information to the consumer via the EZ Way app; only after the consumer confirms it matches the actual purchase and completes the online authorization does the broker proceed with the declaration.” — Source: Customs Administration: advance confirmation of authorization fully implemented from 1 March.
1Download the EZWay app
Download EZWay from the official App Store or Google Play page and complete identity verification as prompted in the app.
2Wait for the customs broker to push the shipment data
From 1 March 2026, anyone using EZWay online authorization for a personal import express consignment under a simplified declaration must complete advance confirmation before the declaration is filed. A legally valid paper authorization continues under the paper procedure.
3Check the house bill number, product description, quantity and declared value
Compare each item against your actual order and payment records. If the product description or declared value is wrong, contact the customs broker to correct it first.
4Answer "Declaration matches" or "Declaration does not match"
Only tap "Declaration matches" if the data is correct. If the data is wrong, your identity has been misused, or you did not buy the goods, tap "Declaration does not match", clarify it with the customs broker, and confirm only after the corrected data has been pushed again.
What to expect: completing the authorization prevents the declaration from stalling for lack of confirmation, but the actual clearance time is still determined by C1／C2／C3, documents, duties and taxes, permits and inspection. For the full walkthrough see our EZWay tutorial.
What fees does customs clearance involve?
| Fee item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Customs brokerage / handling fee | As quoted by the provider | This is a service fee charged by the provider, not a rate set by customs; confirm what is being charged before you engage them |
| Import duty | Depends on the tariff code | Calculated from the exact CCC code, the applicable duty rate column and the customs value; you can use our CCC tariff code lookup |
| Trade promotion service fee | Customs value × 0.04% | Waived where the amount payable or additionally assessed does not exceed NT$100 |
| Business tax | Normally 5% | (Customs value + import duty + any applicable commodity tax / tobacco and alcohol tax / health and welfare surcharge) × 5% |
| Low-value duty exemption | Exempt where the conditions are met | Where the customs value does not exceed NT$2,000 and the low-value exemption rules are met; separate rules apply to frequent imports, tobacco and alcohol, and certain goods |
💡 Want a total cost estimate first? Start with our China to Taiwan shipping cost calculator to compare the routes available to you, then use the Taiwan import duty and tax guide to estimate using the correct CCC code. Brokerage, storage and special handling fees still go by the provider itemised quote.
Common reasons parcels get held up, and how to fix them
- Advance authorization not confirmed → verify the data in EZWay; if anything is wrong, contact the customs broker to correct it first.
- Questionable product description, quantity, value or documents → provide order records, payment records, invoices and product specifications so the customs broker can file a correction.
- Duties or taxes assessed but not yet paid → pay according to the official tax notice, never through a link in an unsolicited text message.
- Subject to import regulations or testing → supply the permit, test report or other certificate required by the competent authority.
- Suspected prohibited imports or false declaration → customs decides how to handle it based on the goods and the individual case; do not assume the shipment will automatically be returned or destroyed.
Can AEO benefits guarantee fast release for an individual shipment?
"AEO" (Authorized Economic Operator) is a customs certification programme for trusted businesses. Qualifying importers and exporters may, under the rules, receive a lower document review or inspection rate, priority inspection, a single point of contact and other benefits. But those benefits come with eligibility requirements and conditions, so you cannot conclude that every personal parcel declared by an AEO-partnered broker will clear faster.
- The benefits that actually apply depend on the company category, certification status and the circumstances of the individual case.
- Customs still decides based on the importer, the origin, the nature of the goods, the declared data and the risk system.
- Choosing a customs broker who knows the paperwork and the rules helps reduce data errors, but it is not a guarantee of release time.
HowBridge works with AEO-certified partner customs brokers on these procedures; every shipment is still subject to the customs decision.
Legal basis and official sources
The clearance channels, declaration categories, EZWay advance authorization and tax formulas on this page are compiled from the current laws and official government sources below, last verified on 2026-08-25:
- Clearance channels: C1 no review and no inspection / C2 document review / C3M manual inspection / C3X scanner inspection: per Articles 13 and 14 of the Regulations Governing the Implementation of Customs Clearance Automation (《貨物通關自動化實施辦法》) and the Customs Clearance Manual for Advance Cargo Declaration — Imports (《預報貨物通關報關手冊—進口篇》) — Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance (財政部關務署).
- Import express declaration categories: X1 documents / X2 customs value ≤ NT$2,000 duty free / X3 NT$2,001–50,000 dutiable / X4 > NT$50,000 high value; the 70 kg per-piece gross weight limit for express consignments; X-ray screening of sea express (except cargo unsuitable for X-ray screening approved by Customs): per Article 6 of the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance for Air Express Consignments (《空運快遞貨物通關辦法》) and Article 3 of the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance for Sea Express Consignments (《海運快遞貨物通關辦法》) — Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance (財政部關務署).
- The statutory deadline for requesting to attend a C3 inspection: handled under the Regulations Governing the Inspection of Import and Export Goods (《進出口貨物查驗準則》); that deadline is not an SLA under which customs guarantees release within the same number of days.
- The NT$2,000 low-value exemption and frequent imports: per Article 49 of the Customs Act (《關稅法》) and the related Ministry of Finance rules; the low-value exemption does not apply to anyone released duty free more than 6 times in a half-year period, but that does not automatically mean the goods are deemed commercial imports.
- Trade promotion service fee: the statutory ceiling under Article 21 of the Foreign Trade Act (《貿易法》) is 4.25 per ten thousand, and the currently announced import collection rate is 4 per ten thousand (0.04%) — International Trade Administration, MOEA (經濟部國際貿易署).
- AEO security-certified enterprises: per Article 2 of the Regulations Governing the Certification and Management of Authorized Economic Operators (《優質企業認證及管理辦法》), authorized economic operators are divided into "general AEOs" and "security-certified AEOs" — Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance (財政部關務署).
- 24-hour clearance operations: electronic transmission of declarations, release or collection of C1 cargo, and collection of cleared express cargo already run 24 hours a day; other cases depend on each customs office’s overtime arrangements.
- Scope of official time ranges: the “few hours” for express consignments and “1–2 working days” for postal inspection each have specific conditions and do not include every request for documents, regulatory review, tax payment, warehouse operation or delivery. TFDA processing periods are likewise not an end-to-end customs SLA.
- Taipei Port sea-express scope: Bali Branch handles Taipei Port and has regular Monday-to-Friday office hours. Sea-express cargo is generally screened by X-ray first, and simplified express declarations are assigned C1 or C3. “2–4 days from arrival to exit, same-working-day C1 with no anomaly, and about 1–2 additional working days for C3” are HowBridge operational estimates, not a government-published or official customs SLA.
Legal basis and authoritative references (official law databases, last verified 2026-08-25):
- Regulations Governing the Implementation of Customs Clearance Automation (《貨物通關自動化實施辦法》, G0350044)
- Regulations Governing Customs Clearance for Air Express Consignments (《空運快遞貨物通關辦法》, G0350064)
- Regulations Governing Customs Clearance for Sea Express Consignments (《海運快遞貨物通關辦法》, G0350071)
- Regulations Governing the Inspection of Import and Export Goods (《進出口貨物查驗準則》, G0350013)
- Regulations Governing the Certification and Management of Authorized Economic Operators (《優質企業認證及管理辦法》, G0350061)
- Article 49 of the Customs Act (《關稅法》)
- Regulations Governing Customs Clearance of Imported and Exported Postal Parcels (《郵包物品進出口通關辦法》, G0350072)
- Article 21 of the Foreign Trade Act (《貿易法》)
- Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance (財政部關務署): What is the difference between C1, C2 and C3?
- Taipei Customs (臺北關): Notes on simplified declarations for imported express consignments
- Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance (財政部關務署): Full rollout of advance authorization confirmation from 1 March 2026
- Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance (財政部關務署): 24-hour clearance operations
- Customs Administration: online and paper authorizations are both lawful methods
- Taipei Customs: ordinary postal-parcel customs inspection generally takes about 1–2 working days
- Taiwan Food and Drug Administration: 2026 processing periods for imported-food inspection
- World Customs Organization: Time Release Study Guide, fourth edition (2025)
- Hsu, Shih and Wang: study of RFID-enabled air-cargo clearance in Taiwan (2009; process background only)
- APEC Customs Time Release Comparison Study (2020; cross-economy methodological background only, not a guarantee for any individual Taiwan clearance time)
- Keelung Customs: Bali Branch responsibilities, jurisdiction and office hours
- Keelung Customs: frequently asked questions on sea-express clearance areas
- Control Yuan: investigation report on sea-express X-ray screening and conversion from C1 to C3
- Taipei Port Container Terminal operator FAQ: on-site C1／C2／C3 operations (non-government source)
Official lookups: Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance (財政部關務署)、 EZWay、 Formulas for duties and taxes payable on imported goods
Frequently asked questions
So how long does customs clearance actually take in Taiwan?
Customs has not published a fixed number of days that applies to every parcel. C1, with no review and no inspection, involves the fewest steps; C2 means waiting for document review; C3 adds physical inspection, classification and valuation, or requests for additional documents. Payment of duties and taxes, permit paperwork, and bonded warehouse and carrier operations all affect the overall time as well.
What causes a shipment to be inspected by customs?
Customs screens cases using a combination of the company clearance record, origin, nature of the goods, the customs broker and the declared data. No official fixed inspection rate applicable to every parcel has been published, and being selected does not mean a violation has been determined.
Does customs clear goods on public holidays?
Electronic transmission of declarations, pick-up of C1 cargo and pick-up of cleared express cargo already run 24 hours a day. Cases that need manual document review, inspection or additional paperwork depend on each customs office duty roster and overtime arrangements, so you cannot say that everything stops at the weekend, or that everything runs as normal.
How long after clearance is completed will my parcel arrive?
“Import customs clearance completed” usually means customs has released the parcel; next come warehouse-out, carrier sorting and final-mile delivery. In HowBridge’s own sea-freight data, most parcels leave the warehouse within 48 hours of release (distribution under How long after release / warehouse-out until delivery?); delivery after warehouse-out varies by region, route and holidays — switch to the carrier’s tracking page.
What is the benefit of an AEO customs broker?
Qualifying AEO companies may, under the rules, receive a lower document review or inspection rate, priority inspection, a single point of contact and other benefits. Eligibility and the circumstances of each case still have to meet the requirements, so it cannot guarantee that every parcel is released within a fixed time.
How are clearance costs calculated?
For ad valorem goods, import duty is the customs value multiplied by the applicable duty rate; specific and compound duties depend on the exact CCC tariff code. The trade promotion service fee is the customs value × 0.04%, and is waived where the amount payable or additionally assessed does not exceed NT$100. Business tax is normally (customs value + import duty + any applicable commodity tax / tobacco and alcohol tax / health and welfare surcharge) × 5%. Brokerage or handling fees are charged separately, per the provider quote.
What should I do if my parcel is held up at customs?
First work out which layer it is stuck at: EZWay authorization, declaration documents, duties and taxes, permits, C3 inspection, or released by customs but not yet out of the warehouse. Then ask your customs broker or carrier for a clear list of outstanding items, and keep your order records, payment records, invoices and product specifications ready in case documents are requested.
Why do some parcels take longer to clear?
When document review, cargo inspection, classification and valuation, additional paperwork, permits or tax payment are involved, there are more stages to work through than for a shipment with no review and no inspection. For the full differences between every clearance channel and declaration category, see our guide to simplified and customs declarations.
After tapping "Declaration matches" in EZWay, how long until release?
Confirming that the declaration matches only means the customs broker can proceed with the declaration. It is not automatic release and it is not a guaranteed number of days. Customs still processes the case according to the clearance channel, the documents, the duties and taxes, and whether an inspection is required. If the data does not match, tap "Declaration does not match" and contact the customs broker.
Do more than 6 imports in half a year turn my shipments into commercial declarations?
Frequency alone does not automatically make them commercial imports. The rule is that once the same taxpayer has been released under the low-value exemption more than 6 times in a half-year period, the low-value exemption no longer applies. Whether goods are for commercial use still depends on quantity, nature, intended use and other facts.
Tracking says “export clearance completed” — what does that mean, and how is it different from “import clearance completed”?
“Export clearance completed” means the goods finished export declaration in the origin country (for example China) and are about to leave or have been handed to the carrier — the parcel has not reached Taiwan yet and has not passed Taiwan Customs. “Import clearance completed” is the Taiwan Customs release; after it you still wait for warehouse-out, sorting and final-mile delivery (see “How long after release / warehouse-out until delivery?” above). The two are easy to confuse — check the location on the tracking node: export clearance usually shows an origin city, airport or port, while import clearance comes with nodes like “arrived in destination country / arrived in Taiwan”. If tracking stops at “export clearance completed”, you are waiting for the international transport leg; if it stops at “import clearance completed”, you are waiting for local warehouse-out and delivery. Always go by the carrier’s tracking page for actual timing.
How long after tracking shows “left the warehouse” until I receive the parcel?
“Left the warehouse” usually means the parcel has departed the customs-supervised warehouse and entered carrier sorting and final-mile delivery. In HowBridge’s own sea-freight data, most parcels leave the warehouse within 48 hours of customs release (distribution under How long after release / warehouse-out until delivery?); delivery time after warehouse-out varies by carrier and region, and there is no fixed number of days that applies to every parcel. If the delivery status stops updating for a long time, contact the carrier directly.
Is EZWay the only lawful way to authorize a customs broker? Can I use paper?
No. The Customs Administration states that online authorization and a legally valid paper authorization are both lawful methods. The advance-confirmation requirement from 1 March 2026 applies to personal simplified express declarations handled through EZWay online authorization. Paper users must still execute a valid authorization under the rules and have the customs broker process it.
Does a 1–2-working-day customs inspection for postal parcels mean delivery within two days?
No. The 1–2 working days described by Taipei Customs refer to customs inspection of ordinary postal parcels. They exclude postal transport, notification, requests for documents, duties and taxes, and delivery. Missing documents, restricted imports or another authority’s review add separate processing time.
How long does Taipei Port sea express usually take from vessel arrival to exit?
Based on HowBridge’s Taipei Port sea-express operating experience, a typical case should usually allow 2–4 calendar days from vessel arrival to customs release／exit from the express area. This is not a Customs-published average or SLA. Weekends, container positioning, data synchronization, authorization, duties and taxes, inspections and approvals by other authorities can all extend the timeline.
Does Bali Branch completely stop clearance and overtime work on weekends?
Not absolutely. Bali Branch’s regular office hours are Monday to Friday, so Saturdays and Sundays should not be counted as routine working days for manual review, inspection scheduling or C3. However, Customs rules allow urgent cases to apply in advance for holiday overtime, so it would be inaccurate to say that no work ever occurs on weekends.
What is the difference between sea-express X-ray screening and C3 inspection?
In principle, all sea-express cargo is screened by X-ray first, while simplified express declarations are assigned C1 or C3. C1 with no scan anomaly may be released directly; an anomaly may cause C1 to be changed to C3. C3 sends the goods to the inspection area for the customs broker’s representative to assist Customs with opening or checking the cargo.
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