Import permits are issued by the Bureau of Foreign Trade (MOEA). First check the CCC tariff code's "Import Regulations" column for any controlled code (e.g., code 121). Prepare the required documents, obtain approval from the Bureau of Foreign Trade or a delegated authority, then present the permit to Customs for import declaration. Permits are valid for 6 months and may be extended up to 2 times.
Import permits in Taiwan are issued by the Bureau of Foreign Trade (MOEA) (formerly the Board of Foreign Trade, restructured and elevated in 2023). The process is: ① Check whether the product's CCC tariff code has a controlled entry in the "Import Regulations" column (e.g., code 121 requires a Bureau of Foreign Trade import permit) → ② Prepare required documents including the import permit application form, commercial invoice, and product catalog → ③ Obtain approval from the Bureau of Foreign Trade or a delegated licensing authority → ④ Present the permit to Customs when filing the import declaration. Applications can be submitted online through the Bureau of Foreign Trade's "Electronic Import/Export Licensing" platform. Import permits are valid for 6 months from the date of issuance; an extension may be applied for within 1 month before expiry, with each extension of up to 6 months and a maximum of 2 extensions. Most general consumer goods do not require a permit — only regulated items need one. HowBridge Logistics will help verify whether your item requires an import permit at the time of customs filing.
4 Steps to Apply for a Taiwan Import Permit
- Check whether the item is regulatedLook up the CCC tariff code's "Import Regulations" column to confirm whether the item is controlled (e.g., code 121 requires a Bureau of Foreign Trade import permit).
- Prepare documentsAssemble the import permit application form, commercial invoice, product catalog, and any other required documents.
- Apply and obtain approval onlineSubmit the application through the Bureau of Foreign Trade's Electronic Import/Export Licensing platform; approval is issued by the Bureau or a delegated licensing authority.
- Present permit to CustomsOnce the import permit is obtained, present it to Customs when filing the import declaration.
Key data quick check
| Competent authority | Bureau of Foreign Trade (MOEA) (restructured and elevated in 2023) |
|---|---|
| Application platform | Electronic Import/Export Licensing (online) |
| Validity period | 6 months from the date of issuance |
| Extension | Apply within 1 month before expiry; up to 6 months per extension; maximum 2 extensions |
| Pre-check required | CCC tariff code "Import Regulations" column |
regulatory basis
- Bureau of Foreign Trade (MOEA) — Import/Export Management
- Bureau of Foreign Trade — Electronic Import/Export Licensing
Common mistakes and precautions
- Assuming all imports require a permit — in practice, most general consumer goods in Taiwan are permit-free.
- Purchasing goods without first checking the CCC "Import Regulations" column, only to discover a licensing requirement after arrival, causing a customs hold.
- Failing to use or extend the import permit within its 6-month validity, rendering it void and requiring a new application.
noun definition
- Import Permit
- An authorization document required before importing regulated goods into Taiwan, issued by the Bureau of Foreign Trade (MOEA) or a delegated authority, and presented to Customs for clearance.
- Licensing Code 121
- A code in the CCC tariff code "Import Regulations" column indicating that the goods require a Bureau of Foreign Trade (MOEA) import permit before entry into Taiwan.
Authoritative literature citations
The content of this question is quoted from the "Customs Declaration Authoritative Literature Index Database" built by HowBridge (More than 1,163 copiesGovernment regulations, official manuals, judicial interpretations, intensive reading of academic literature), each article is accompanied by links to government/judicial primary sources for verification:
- 官方手冊規範 各項貨品輸入規定(輸入規定代號A/B/C/F字頭說明) 關務署「各項貨品輸入規定」總說明頁:輸入人/貨品管理架構與輸入規定代號(數字+B/C/F字頭)體系入口。 web.customs.gov.tw
- 政府研究報告 「關港貿單一窗口」介紹（政府機關資訊通報 第304期 專題報導-政府服務流程改造） 官方資訊通報專題:關港貿單一窗口計畫緣起、服務流程改造效益（估每年政府省7.2億、企業省8.6億、合計約15.8億），量化單一窗口對通關便捷化的成本效益。 www.dgbas.gov.tw