What should you know when buying goods in Europe and shipping them to Taiwan?
Europe Shipping Service in Preparation—Not Yet Launched
HowBridge currently does not offer consolidated shipping from Europe (the UK, Germany, France, or Italy) to Taiwan. This page is an informational guide to sending purchases from Europe back to Taiwan and a description of a service under consideration. Any Europe, VAT refund assistance, shipping rates, and delivery times mentioned are estimates for a service still in preparation. The actual launch date and rates will be subject to an official announcement.
Register for free to be among the first to receive a launch notification. HowBridge's currently available service is its consolidated shipping route from mainland China (Taobao/Tmall/Pinduoduo, etc.) to Taiwan, which you can use now:
- There is currently no HowBridge Europe address available for use, nor are there official rates, delivery times, parcel consolidation, or VAT assistance services.
- Before purchasing, confirm on the merchant's checkout page whether it ships directly to Taiwan, accepted payment methods, actual shipping costs, returns, and warranty coverage.
- When using another provider, confirm the volumetric/actual weight, prohibited and restricted items, insurance, remote-area surcharges, and customs declaration responsibilities for each shipment.
- Whether VAT is deducted at checkout or eligible for a refund depends on the country, merchant, export arrangements, and transaction documents; shipping through a forwarding warehouse does not itself guarantee a VAT refund.
- After the goods arrive in Taiwan, import duty and business tax (VAT) will be calculated separately based on the product classification, duty-paying value, and Taiwan Customs' assessment.
Why Buy from Europe?
Europe is home to many luxury goods, health supplements, designer furniture, and premium beauty products. However, there are 4 major obstacles:
- Most do not ship directly to Taiwan: Selfridges, Galeries Lafayette, and Net-a-Porter offer limited support, while official brand websites such as Hermès and Cartier rarely ship overseas
- VAT/consumption tax treatment varies: Whether tax is included, deducted upon export, or refundable depends on the country, merchant, delivery destination, and transaction documents
- Cross-border costs extend beyond shipping: They may also include volumetric charges, insurance, remote-area surcharges, import duty, business tax (VAT), and return costs
- Some websites do not accept foreign cards: Domestic French and Italian websites often accept only European bank cards
Currently available options: Prioritize comparing direct shipping to Taiwan with third-party consolidated shipping services that are already operating and have clearly stated terms. Calculate the total cost based on the checkout page, an itemized quote, and Taiwan's import regulations. HowBridge's Europe service remains in preparation, and no official warehouse addresses, accepted-item scope, rates, delivery times, or tax assistance details have been announced. (Currently unavailable)
VAT and Cross-Border Taxes Must Be Verified for Each Transaction
💎 VAT (Value Added Tax) = European Value-Added Tax
Listed prices for European goods may include local VAT, but whether it can be deducted at checkout, refunded afterward, or does not apply at all depends on the country of sale, the merchant's status, the actual export method, the delivery destination, and the required documents. Being a non-resident or shipping goods to a forwarding warehouse does not automatically entitle you to a fixed VAT refund.
Two Things to Check Before Ordering
On the checkout page for the actual product, confirm whether a Taiwan address can be selected, whether the price includes local VAT, shipping costs, and any prepaid taxes or duties. Keep the order confirmation and invoice. Results may vary by product, seller, and delivery destination; import taxes and duties upon arrival will still be assessed by Taiwan Customs in accordance with the law.
Forwarding goods to a local warehouse does not mean the merchant has completed an export transaction, nor does it guarantee eligibility for a VAT refund. Before using a third-party service, ask the merchant or a qualified tax professional to confirm the invoice recipient, proof of export, eligible applicant, filing deadline, and refund method. HowBridge currently does not provide a European warehouse or VAT filing assistance.
Highlights of 4 Major European Countries
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Major platforms: Amazon UK (accepts international cards), Selfridges, Harrods, Net-a-Porter, ASOS, Boots (pharmacy and beauty)
Popular products: Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, Dr. Martens boots, Boots NHS health supplements (including official vitamins), and British breakfast tea (TWG, Whittard)
Note: Since Brexit, the UK has maintained a customs regime separate from the EU, though this has little direct impact on shipping goods home to Taiwan. VAT remains 20%.
🇩🇪 Germany
Major platforms: Amazon DE, Zalando, Otto, Douglas (beauty), Idealo (price comparison)
Popular products: BOSS, Adidas (headquartered in Germany), Birkenstock sandals, Stokke high chairs, WMF cookware, Miele appliances, and pharmacy health products (Eubos, Sebamed)
Note: Delivery times, payment options, and VAT displays must be verified on the merchant's actual checkout page and should not be assumed based solely on the country.
🇫🇷 France
Major platforms: Amazon FR, Galeries Lafayette, La Redoute, Sephora France (not the US Sephora), Le Bon Coin
Popular products: Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel luxury goods (including website exclusives); Caudalie / La Roche-Posay / Avène pharmacy skincare; wine (subject to alcohol restrictions); and Ladurée macarons
Note: Shipping destinations and payment restrictions on luxury-brand websites may change depending on the brand, product, and date, so verify each item individually.
🇮🇹 Italy
Major platforms: Amazon IT, Yoox, MyTheresa (including its Italian warehouse), Farfetch, Il Sito Online (outlet)
Popular products: Gucci, Prada, Bottega Veneta, Valentino, Furla bags, Italian-made leather shoes, olive oil, Illy coffee, and tahini
Note: “Made in Italy” is a country-of-origin label, not a guarantee of quality or warranty coverage for every product. Verify the seller, materials, model, and return policy.
Country Buying Guides: UK, Germany, France, and Italy
Platforms, payment methods, VAT, prohibited and restricted items, and shipping terms differ across the UK, Germany, France, and Italy. The following points can help you check the details before ordering. HowBridge currently has no Europe, official rates, or guaranteed delivery times.
🇬🇧 Buying in the UK and Shipping Goods Home to Taiwan
Popular UK platforms include Amazon UK, ASOS, Selfridges, Boots, and Net-a-Porter. For each order, check the actual product page for direct shipping to Taiwan, accepted card types, VAT display, shipping costs, and return terms. The UK is no longer part of the EU VAT system, so its tax and forwarding procedures should not be treated as identical to those of EU countries.
🇩🇪 Buying in Germany and Shipping Goods Home to Taiwan (Including Amazon DE)
Shipping to Taiwan and support for international cards on Amazon DE, Zalando, Douglas, and Otto may vary by product, seller, account, and delivery address. Test your Taiwan address on the checkout page. If you use an operating third-party forwarding provider instead, obtain an itemized quote first and verify prohibited and restricted items, insurance, VAT documentation, and responsibility for returns. HowBridge currently has no Germany address available for use.
🇫🇷 Buying in France and Shipping Goods Home to Taiwan
French luxury and pharmacy skincare platforms vary in their shipping destinations, acceptance of international cards, prices, and VAT treatment. Compare the total cost of direct merchant shipping with third-party services that are already operating, item by item. Also confirm Taiwan's limits, ingredient and labeling requirements, and inspection rules for imported cosmetics. HowBridge currently has no France, Germany, or the UK that can accept shipments.
In short: There is currently no official HowBridge France-to-Taiwan service. In practice, first test direct shipping to Taiwan on the merchant's checkout page, such as Sephora France, Galeries Lafayette, or an official French pharmacy skincare website. If direct shipping is unavailable, request an itemized quote from an operating third-party forwarding provider with transparent terms. Include VAT, international shipping, Taiwan import taxes and duties, and return costs when comparing the “total delivered cost.”
French pharmacy skincare is a major category for shipping goods home to Taiwan from France, but its import is regulated. Under MOHW/TFDA and customs regulations, individuals importing “cosmetics for specific purposes” for personal use, including sunscreen, hair dye, perming products, antiperspirants and deodorants, and tooth-whitening products, may import no more than 12 bottles (boxes/jars/packs/bags, limited to the original packaging) of each type and no more than 36 bottles in total. Under Article 5, Paragraph 4 of the Cosmetic Hygiene and Safety Act, customs will order any excess quantity to be returned or destroyed within a specified period. Although ordinary skincare products that are not for specific purposes are not subject to this statutory limit, quantities should still be reasonable for personal use. Excessive quantities may be deemed commercial imports and require import inspection registration. Sources: Ministry of Health and Welfare, “Quantity Limits for Travelers Bringing Cosmetics for Specific Purposes into Taiwan” and Taipei Customs, Taiwan Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance, “Cosmetics Import Regulations”.
🇮🇹 Buying in Italy and Shipping Goods Home to Taiwan
Whether Yoox, Farfetch, MyTheresa, and domestic Italian platforms support shipping to Taiwan must be verified on the checkout page for the specific product. A platform supporting Taiwan does not mean every seller or product can be shipped there. Food, alcohol, leather materials, and branded goods may also be subject to import and transport restrictions. Whether VAT is deducted should be confirmed through the merchant's invoice and export arrangements.
4 Checks Before Shipping European Goods to Taiwan
HowBridge's Europe service has not yet launched. The following are general checks to perform before using direct merchant shipping or another service that is already operating.
Confirm Whether the Merchant Ships Directly to Taiwan
Enter your actual Taiwan address on the checkout page and confirm the product, seller, accepted card types, shipping costs, taxes and duties, and return terms. Do not enter a warehouse address that has not been officially announced.
Compare Available Shipping Options
If the merchant does not ship directly to Taiwan, request an itemized quote from a provider that is currently operating. Confirm whether charges are based on the greater of actual or volumetric weight, as well as insurance, remote-area surcharges, prohibited and restricted items, returns, and customs clearance responsibilities.
Confirm VAT and Import Restrictions
Ask the merchant to confirm the price and export documents, and check the applicable regulations of Taiwan Customs, BSMI, TFDA, NCC, or other competent authorities for the product. Forwarding does not automatically make a transaction eligible for a VAT refund.
Verify the Declaration and EZWay
When importing, verify the product description, quantity, price, and authorization details. When you receive an EZWay notification, confirm only packages that genuinely belong to you. See the Complete EZWay Authorization Guide for details.
7 Product Categories Worth Buying from Europe
1. Luxury Handbags
Prices for brands such as Hermès, LV, Gucci, Prada, and Bottega Veneta may vary by country, sales channel, and season. Comparisons should include VAT, shipping, import taxes and duties, insurance, warranty coverage, and return costs.
2. French Pharmacy Skincare
Prices, formulas, and sizes for La Roche-Posay, Avène, Caudalie, Bioderma, Embryolisse, and other products may vary by market. Before ordering, compare the same model and specifications and confirm Taiwan's cosmetics import rules and personal-use quantity limits.
3. Health Products from Boots in the UK and German Pharmacies
For products from Boots, Eubos, Sebamed, Klorane, and similar brands, verify the ingredients, dosage form, expiration date, seller, and Taiwan import regulations for each item. A retailer or private-label brand name is not itself a guarantee of quality.
4. Designer Furniture and European Appliances
Products such as Stokke high chairs, Bugaboo strollers, Miele appliances, and Smeg appliances are commonly found on European platforms. European mains power is commonly 230V/50Hz, but you must verify the nameplate and manufacturer's instructions for the specific model rather than making assumptions based on the brand or country of origin.
Before using the product in Taiwan: A 220–240V-only model must not be connected to a standard 110V outlet. Even if a building has a compliant 220V circuit, confirm that the model accepts 60Hz and verify its rated and startup power/current, plug, grounding, and dedicated-circuit requirements. A standard step-up or step-down transformer does not convert 50Hz to 60Hz. High-power equipment and appliances containing motors, compressors, or heating elements should be assessed by a qualified electrical professional.
5. Italian-Made Leather Shoes and Leather Goods
For leather goods from Tod's, Furla, Coccinelle, A.Testoni, and similar brands, verify the material, country-of-origin label, model, seller, and warranty. Price differences should be compared using the same product and total checkout cost.
6. Wine, Spirits, and Olive Oil
French red wine, Italian extra-virgin olive oil, and British whisky. Alcohol restrictions: Alcohol is not eligible for the NT$2,000 duty-free threshold and is subject to import duty and tobacco and alcohol tax upon import. For personal-use consolidated shipments or postal parcels, the maximum quantity exempt from a tobacco/alcohol importer license is 5 L of alcohol; a license must be obtained in advance for larger quantities. Air transport of alcoholic beverages over 24% alcohol by volume is restricted. Sea freight is recommended for high-proof alcohol or bulk shipments.
7. Premium Tea and Coffee
British Whittard tea, German Tchibo coffee, Italian Illy / Lavazza coffee beans, and French Mariage Frères tea. Packaging should be intact, with a shelf life of at least 6 months.
Comparing Air and Sea Freight
| Method | Questions to Ask Before Ordering | Common Restrictions | Key Comparison Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Merchant Shipping/International Courier | Whether it ships to Taiwan, whether taxes are included, and the carrier | Dimensions, batteries, liquids, and remote areas | Checkout total, tracking, insurance, and returns |
| Third-Party Air Freight | Actual/volumetric weight, minimum charge, flights, and customs declaration | Dangerous goods, batteries, liquids, and high-value items | Itemized quote, claim limit, and estimated rather than guaranteed delivery times |
| Third-Party Sea Freight | Volume, port and handling fees, storage fees, and final-mile delivery | Waiting period, minimum charge, and packaging for large items | Complete delivered cost, customs clearance responsibilities, and return options |
Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping from Europe to Taiwan
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Europe Shipping Service in Preparation · Register Your Interest
HowBridge's Europe shipping service is in preparation and has not yet launched. There is currently no European warehouse address available for use, nor are there official rates, guaranteed delivery times, or VAT filing assistance. If the service launches in the future, accepted countries, product restrictions, warehouse addresses, and rates will be subject to an official announcement. For now, you can use available routes such as consolidated shipping from mainland China (Taobao/Tmall/Pinduoduo) to Taiwan.
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