Can Camera Drones / Unmanned Aircraft Be Shipped to Taiwan?
- Customs duty on camera drone aircraft, remote controllers, and propellers is 0%, but the rate for smart batteries (lithium-ion batteries) is 2.5%—the real issue has never been tax, but compliance.
- Check the maximum take-off weight: imports under 2 kg require review and approval by the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI); aircraft weighing 2 kg or more require an approval document issued by the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) plus type inspection.
- After receipt, aircraft weighing 250 g or more must be registered online with the CAA under Article 6 of the Regulations. The registration number is valid for 2 years under Article 10. Aircraft weighing 2 kg or more also require an ordinary operator certificate under Article 20.
- Aircraft with wireless transmission capabilities require proof of NCC RF type approval. Starting 2025/12/1, products must be registered before sale under Article 17, and import regulation code 617 will be added for customs verification.
- Shipments with a customs value ≤ NT$2,000 are tax-exempt. Shipments above this amount are subject to 5% VAT plus a 0.04% trade promotion service fee.
Sources: Remote-Controlled Unmanned Aircraft Regulations (遙控無人機管理規則), Civil Aviation Act (民用航空法), Civil Aviation Administration, Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, National Communications Commission, and Customs Administration
Last updated: 2026-07-29 (tariff codes reviewed line by line and regulatory article references corrected)
This page mainly covers Taiwan import, NCC/BSMI and civil aviation rules. Starting 2026-06-30, Chinese customs is separately tightening export declarations for drones under Announcement No. 78; whether a drone falls under
9A012 or 9A501 depends on endurance, wind resistance, beyond-visual-line-of-sight control, range, spraying capacity and end use. Go to “China Drone Export Controls 2026” for an item-by-item assessment.
Maximum Take-Off Weight Classes (Most Important)
Nearly all camera drone requirements are classified by maximum take-off weight. First determine which class your model falls into so you can clearly identify the applicable inspection, registration, and operator certificate requirements:
| Maximum Take-Off Weight | Import Inspection | Online Registration | Operator Certificate | Common Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 250 g | BSMI review and approval | Registration exempt | Exempt | Mini selfie camera drones |
| 250 g to under 2 kg | BSMI review and approval | Registration required (valid for 2 years) | Exempt | Most consumer camera drones |
| 2 kg to under 15 kg | CAA approval document plus type inspection | Registration required | Ordinary operator certificate (written test; valid for 3 years) | Professional photography and small agricultural spraying drones |
| 15 kg or more | CAA approval document plus type inspection | Registration required | Professional operator certificate (medical exam plus written and practical tests) | Large agricultural and industrial aircraft |
Remember these two key thresholds: Import inspections use 2 kg as the threshold (under 2 kg → BSMI; 2 kg or more → CAA), while registration uses 250 g as the threshold (registration is required at 250 g or more). Most consumer camera drones fall into the 250 g to 2 kg category: registration is required, no operator certificate is required, and imports are handled through BSMI.
※ Under Article 20 of the Remote-Controlled Unmanned Aircraft Regulations, an ordinary operator certificate is limited to operating aircraft equipped with navigation equipment and weighing under 15 kg. All remote-controlled unmanned aircraft owned by government agencies, schools, or legal entities are subject to professional operator certificate requirements.
Import Inspections: BSMI, CAA, and Import Regulation Code 617
Camera drones contain wireless remote-control and video-transmission systems and are therefore RF devices subject to NCC RF type approval. Import clearance follows different inspection requirements based on weight:
| Requirement | Under 2 kg | 2 kg or More |
|---|---|---|
| Import Prerequisite | Review and approval by the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) | CAA-issued approval document |
| Required Marking | Commodity Inspection Mark | CAA Type Inspection Mark or Recognition Mark |
| RF (Wireless Transmission) | All models require proof of NCC RF type approval for video transmission and remote control | |
Customs Practice: Import Regulation Code 617
Starting 2025/12/1, the International Trade Administration announced that import regulation code 617 would be added for remote-controlled unmanned aircraft, formally bringing them within the scope of goods verified by customs. For example, the import regulation codes for the primary unmanned aircraft tariff code 8806.92.00.10.7 are 602, 617, and C02. Of these, C02 applies to items subject to mandatory inspection by BSMI and is verified during customs declaration. This means camera drones can no longer be treated as products that can simply be shipped first and handled later; the customs declaration itself may be blocked.
New Preregistration Requirement for Sale Starting 2025/12/1 (Article 17 of the Regulations)
Before an unmanned aircraft is sold in Taiwan, its manufacturer or importer must first register its brand and type name, model specifications, manufacturer or importer details, cybersecurity testing compliance report, NCC RF type approval information, and commodity inspection or type inspection certificate in the CAA's Remote-Controlled Unmanned Aircraft Management Information System. The information must also be marked on the product and its packaging. The article was amended and promulgated in November 2024 with a 1-year guidance period. Violations are subject to fines of TWD 10,000 to TWD 1,500,000.
※ Even when an individual purchases and imports a single aircraft from overseas for personal use, customs will still verify compliance with the import regulations above. Aircraft under 2 kg require BSMI review and approval, while those weighing 2 kg or more require a CAA approval document. Models without the required approvals may be held for additional documents or returned to the sender.
After Receipt: Online Registration and Operator Certificate
① Online Registration (250 g or More, Article 6 of the Regulations)
The owner must use a general public digital certificate or National Health Insurance card to register online through the CAA's Remote-Controlled Unmanned Aircraft Management Information System (drone.caa.gov.tw), obtain a registration number, and display it prominently on the aircraft. Under Article 10, the registration number is valid for 2 years. An extension may be requested within 30 days before expiration.
② Operator Certificate (Based on Weight, Articles 20 and 23 of the Regulations)
Aircraft weighing 2 kg or less are exempt from the operator certificate requirement. Operators of aircraft weighing 2 kg or more but under 15 kg and equipped with navigation equipment must pass a written test to obtain an ordinary operator certificate. Aircraft weighing 15 kg or more, as well as remote-controlled unmanned aircraft owned by government agencies or institutions, schools, or legal entities, are subject to the professional operator certificate requirement and require a medical examination plus written and practical tests. Under Article 23, an operator certificate is valid for 3 years.
※ Most consumer camera drones weigh less than 2 kg: registration is required, but an operator certificate is not. If you purchase a professional aircraft with a large camera or an agricultural spraying aircraft weighing more than 2 kg, you will need to obtain a certificate.
Real-World Examples: Landed Cost of Camera Drones (Clickable Tariff Codes Included)
The following results were generated using this website's tariff engine. Customs duty on camera drone aircraft, remote controllers, and propeller parts is 0%, while the rate for smart batteries (lithium-ion batteries) is 2.5%. The main costs are shipping plus taxes and fees when the exemption threshold is exceeded. Click a tariff code to open its CCC tariff page and view the complete rates and import regulations:
| Item | Product Price | CCC Tariff Code | Customs Duty Rate | Customs Value | Import Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camera drone (250 g to 2 kg) | ¥6,000 | 8806.92.00.10.7 | 0% | NT$26,300 | 5% VAT |
| Camera drone (2 kg to 7 kg) | ¥12,000 | 8806.92.00.90.0 | 0% | NT$52,600 | 5% VAT |
| Mini camera drone | ¥1,200 | 8525.81.90.10.1 | 0% | NT$5,260 | 5% VAT |
| Camera drone smart battery (lithium battery) | ¥800 | 8507.60.00.90.0 | 2.5% | NT$3,500 | Approx. NT$267 |
| Camera drone remote controller | ¥600 | 8526.92.90.00.9 | 0% | NT$2,630 | 5% VAT |
| Propeller / blade parts | ¥150 | 8807.10.00.00.7 | 0% | NT$657 | Tax-exempt |
＊ The customs value is calculated after currency conversion and is for reference only. The aircraft itself has 0% customs duty, but a customs value > NT$2,000 is subject to 5% VAT plus a 0.04% trade promotion service fee. Batteries are subject to 2.5% customs duty. For example, a customs value of NT$3,500 results in approximately NT$88 in customs duty plus approximately NT$179 in VAT, for a total of approximately NT$267. If the same taxpayer receives more than 6 tax-exempt clearances within a half-year period, the exemption does not apply beginning with the seventh shipment. The real cost and risk come from compliance—inspections, registration, and operator certificates—not taxes.
Flight Rules and No-Fly Zones
Basic Rules for Lawful Flight (Article 28 of the Remote-Controlled Unmanned Aircraft Regulations)
- Altitude limit: The aircraft must not exceed 400 feet (approximately 120 metres) above ground level or the surface of the water.
- Operations must take place after sunrise and before sunset and within visual line of sight. Night flights require prior approval.
- No-fly zones / restricted areas: Flights are prohibited within specified areas around airports and runway ends, military facilities, and government-designated no-fly zones.
- Flights over crowds or gathering places are prohibited. Any additional control areas announced by local governments must also be observed.
※ Individuals who violate operating requirements, such as by flying without registration or entering a no-fly zone, are subject to fines under the Civil Aviation Act and the Penalty Standards Table for Owners and Operators of Remote-Controlled Unmanned Aircraft Violating Civil Aviation Regulations. Businesses that sell aircraft without registration may be fined TWD 10,000 to TWD 1,500,000.
Instant Camera Drone Tax Calculator
Related Tools and Guides
- Importing NCC RF Devices (Wireless Transmission Approval)
- BSMI Import Regulations for Products Subject to Mandatory Inspection
- Can Lithium Batteries / Power Banks Be Shipped? (Reference for Camera Drone Batteries)
- Import Taxes on Consumer Electronics
- Taobao Parcel Consolidation Tax Calculator
- Full Import Tax and Fee Calculator
Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping Camera Drones to Taiwan
Legal Basis and Official Sources
- Remote-Controlled Unmanned Aircraft Regulations, National Laws and Regulations Database pcode K0090083: Article 6 sets the 250 g registration threshold; Article 10 sets the registration period at 2 years; Article 17 requires registration before sale; Article 20 establishes operator certificate classes; Article 23 sets the operator certificate period at 3 years; and Article 28 establishes the 400 feet flight limit. See also the Civil Aviation Act chapter on remote-controlled unmanned aircraft.
- Civil Aviation Administration's Remote-Controlled Unmanned Aircraft Management Information System for online registration, business registration, and operator certificates.
- International Trade Administration announcement adding import regulation code 617 for remote-controlled unmanned aircraft starting 2025/12/1; Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection commodity inspection requirements under import regulation code C02; and National Communications Commission RF type approval requirements.
- Customs Import Tariff: 8806 unmanned aircraft 0%, 8507.60 lithium-ion batteries 2.5%, 8807.10 propellers and parts 0%, and 8526.92 radio remote-control equipment 0%—Customs Administration.
- CAA Remote-Controlled Unmanned Aircraft Management Information System ｜ CAA Unmanned Aircraft Information ｜ Search 12,000+ CCC Tariff Codes
Camera Drone Parcel Consolidation with Help from Our Taiwan Team
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