How much tax do I have to pay when buying things from Europe and sending them to Taiwan?
Duty-paid price ≤ NT$2,000 is tax-free, but the unit price of European boutique customers is high, and most of them will be taxed if the price exceeds NT$2,000. Brand-name bags are about 6.6~10%, boutique clothing is 10.5~12%, and skin care products are 0%. Red wine is not tax exempt.
The unit price of European products is high, and most of them are taxable if they exceed NT$2,000.(Unlike Asian small items, which are often tax-free): About 6.6~10% for designer bags, about 10.5~12% for fine clothing, about 10% for German kitchenware, and 0% for skin care products. VAT for consolidated shipping is usually non-refundable (after Brexit, some merchants offer Tax-Free Shipping to avoid VAT when sending overseas). ⚠️ Red wine and other alcoholic beverages are not exempt from tax exemption and are subject to tobacco and alcohol tax.。
Highlights of this page
- European tax real-time calculation tool
- European VAT vs Taiwan Import Tax (UK Tax-Free Shipping)
- Taiwan import tax exemption rules
- Real case: European quality landed cost
- Quick check on tariff rates of various categories of European goods
- Red wine/alcohol area (not applicable to tax exemption)
- FAQ
- Regulatory basis and official sources
European tax real-time calculation
Enter European product information, and the system uses the Customs Department's AI tariff engine to instantly calculate customs duties, VAT, and total landed cost. (Liquor tax is more complicated, please use the complete calculation tool)
※ The trial calculation is based on the AI tariff forecast of the Customs Administration, and the actual tariff is subject to customs approval. The exchange rate fluctuates according to the customs exchange rate of this site. Alcohol and tobacco taxes are included, please use Complete trial calculation tool。
European VAT vs Taiwan Import Tax (UK Tax-Free Shipping)
Products from European countries include VAT:Germany 19%, France 20%, UK 20%, Italy 22%. The principle limit for VAT refund is that passengers can carry it out of the country in person. Consolidated shipments are sent to European warehouses and then transferred back to Taiwan for domestic transactions. Most of them include VAT.However, after Brexit, some boutiques and department stores offer “Tax-Free Shipping”, you can get 20% British VAT exemption by sending the goods directly to outside the UK (such as Taiwan), which is equivalent to saving money upfront.
When goods enter Taiwan Customs, customs duties, VAT, etc. are levied based on the dutiable value and tax rules.Duty-paid value ≤ NT$2,000 tax-free(Except alcohol). This is a different matter from European VAT and is calculated separately.
Taiwan import tax exemption rules
The "duty paid value" (CIF = commodity + international freight + insurance premium) of express imported goods is Exemption from customs duties, excise tax and VAT for amounts below NT$2,000（Except for tobacco, alcohol and agricultural products subject to tariff quotas). The unit price of European boutique customers is high, and most of them exceed this amount.
Tariff = Duty-paid price × Tariff rate; Business tax = (Duty-paid price + Tariff + Goods tax + Tobacco and alcohol tax) × 5%.
Real Case: Shipping Cost of European Quality Products to Taiwan
The following is the actual measurement of the tax code engine on this site (single piece). Prices for high-quality European products are high, with most exceeding NT$2,000 → tax：
| European goods | commodity price | Tariff | tariff rate | Duty paid value | import tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designer leather handbag | €500 | 4202.21 | 6.6% | NT$18,255 | About NT$2,178 |
| Boutique knitted top | €120 | 6106.90 | 10.5% | NT$4,381 | About NT$702 |
| German stainless steel tool set | €150 | 8214.90 | 10% | NT$5,476 | About NT$849 |
| Aesop skin care products | €60 | 3304.99 | 0% | NT$2,191 | About NT$110 (sales tax only) |
| French red wine 750ml/13% | €20 | 2204.21 | 10% | NT$730 | About NT$185 (alcohol is not tax-free) |
*Import taxes include customs duties + 5% sales tax (plus tobacco and alcohol tax on alcohol). Note the last column: red wine is only NT$730 (< NT$2,000) with tax paidstill taxed, because alcohol is not applicable to small tax exemptions (see the alcohol section below for details). There is 0% tariff on skin care products, and only 5% sales tax will be levied on excess amounts.
Quick check on tariff rates of various categories of European goods
| Product Category | Common tariff rates | When the tax exemption amount is exceeded |
|---|---|---|
| Designer bags, leather goods | About 6.6~10% | Customs duty + 5% sales tax |
| Fine clothing, knitting | About 10.5~12% | Customs duty + 5% sales tax |
| German kitchenware, knives, pots and pans | about 10% | Customs duty + 5% sales tax |
| Skin care products, perfumes, boutique beauty products | Mostly 0% | Only 5% sales tax |
| footwear | about 5% | Customs duty + 5% sales tax |
| Wine, wine, champagne | Approximately 10% + alcohol and tobacco tax | Tax exemption is not applicable, all taxes are imposed |
Actual tax rate is based on CCC 11 code. Check the exact tax rules:CCC Tariff Code 12,000+ Code Query。
Red wine/alcohol area (not applicable to tax exemption)
Red wine, wine, champagne, whiskey and other alcoholic beverages,Tax is levied even if the duty-paid value is less than NT$2,000. Imported alcohol tax = tariff + (tobacco and alcohol tax) + 5% sales tax.
Tariff: Approximately 10% for wine and champagne, approximately 10% for fortified liquor
Tobacco and alcohol tax: wine (other brewed wine)RMB 7 per liter based on alcohol content. Example: 750ml, 13% red wine = 0.75 × 13 × 7 ≈ 68 yuan
Business tax: (duty-paid price + tariff + tobacco and alcohol tax) × 5%
Frequently asked questions about tax when sending goods from Europe to Taiwan
Duty-paid price ≤ NT$2,000 is tax-free, but the unit price of European boutiques is high, and most of them exceed the price and are subject to tax: about 6.6~10% on brand-name bags, 10.5~12% on boutique clothing, and 0% on skin care products. Alcohol is not exempt from tax.
In principle, the maximum limit is for passengers to carry it out of the country in person. Consolidated shipments to European warehouses and then transshipment often include VAT. However, after Brexit, some products offer Tax-Free Shipping, and 20% British VAT can be waived when shipped directly overseas.
Duty exemption does not apply to alcoholic beverages. Imported wine tax = customs duty (about 10%) + tobacco and alcohol tax (wine is 7 yuan per liter per degree) + 5% VAT. 750ml, 13% red wine, tobacco and alcohol tax is about 68 yuan.
The tariff on designer bags (CCC Chapter 4202) is about 6.6~10%. High-priced products almost always exceed the tax-free limit, so be sure to do a trial calculation first. For example, a brand-name bag with a tax payment of about NT$18,000 will cost more than NT$2,000.
Passengers carrying 1.5 liters for personal use are exempt from tobacco and alcohol tax. Parcel express delivery must be declared if the total volume exceeds 1 liter, and a tobacco and alcohol import license must be obtained if the total volume exceeds 5 liters. Consolidated shipments of wine must go through specific channels.
Fine clothing is about 10.5~12%, German knives and kitchenware is about 10%, and brand-name bags are about 6.6~10%. Skin care products, perfumes, and 3C are mostly 0%.
Regulatory basis and official sources
- Tariff Act, Article 49, Paragraph 2(NT$2,000 tax-free, except tobacco and alcohol),Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Law(Wine is $7 per liter per degree) - National Regulatory Database.
- Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance "What are the taxes and fees payable on imported goods?":web.customs.gov.tw
- Taipei Customs "Tobacco and Liquor" import regulations from the Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance:web.customs.gov.tw
- Ministry of Finance Tax Portal "Things to note when purchasing foreign goods online":etax.nat.gov.tw
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