What Is EZWay? The 2026 Pre-Confirmed Authorization Rules + Full Tutorial
EZWay is the "express-cargo import real-name verification" app developed by Tradevan on behalf of the Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance. Every recipient of overseas online purchases or consolidated shipments to Taiwan must complete real-name verification before their parcels can clear customs. From 2026-03-01, the new "Pre-Confirmed Authorization" rules are fully in force: you must first add pre-authorization in the app, and each imported parcel is only released after you tap "Declaration Matches" upon receiving its push notification; without it, the parcel cannot complete authorized customs declaration and will ultimately be returned or destroyed. Real-name verification is a once-in-a-lifetime step, and the app is free.
- EZWay is the "express-cargo import real-name verification" app developed by Tradevan on behalf of the Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance. Since 2020-05-16, Customs has verified the declaration authorization for express cargo through its clearance system, and recipients must complete real-name verification and authorization before their goods can clear customs (direct legal basis: Article 17 of the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance of Air Express Consignments and Article 18 of the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance of Sea Express Consignments, with the enabling parent statute being Article 27 of the Customs Act).
- New rules from 2026-03-01: full implementation of "real-name verification + Pre-Confirmed Authorization (Authorization 3.0)"—you must first add pre-authorization in the app, and each imported parcel is only released after you tap "Declaration Matches" upon receiving its push notification; without it, the parcel cannot complete authorized customs declaration (see the full explanation of the new rules).
- Process: download the app → register (national ID / resident certificate + Taiwan mobile number) → real-name verification (photograph your ID + facial recognition, 1–3 business days) → tap "Confirm Declaration" when you receive the parcel push notification (within 7 days). Real-name verification is a once-in-a-lifetime step, and the app is free.
- Without verification: the parcel is held, daily storage fees apply, and after 30 days it is returned or destroyed. Foreign nationals use a resident certificate (ARC, valid for ≥ 6 months) + a Taiwan mobile number.
- Official support: EZ Way hotline (02)7735-2812 (Tradevan); Customs toll-free service line 0800-005-055.
Sources: Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance; Tradevan (EZ Way) (see "Legal Basis and Official Sources" at the end of this article).
What is EZWay? Why is it mandatory?
OfficialEZWay is the "express-cargo import real-name verification" app launched by Taiwan's Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance. Since 2020, every recipient of express cargo must complete EZWay real-name verification, or their parcels cannot clear customs.
- The parcel is held at Customs and cannot be released
- Daily storage fees of NT$50-100 apply
- If not handled within 30 days, it is treated as abandoned cargo
- The return shipping cost is borne by the cargo owner
So when consolidating shipments from Taobao, Pinduoduo, or 1688 back to Taiwan, the very first must-do is to install EZWay. Only after completing it can you receive your parcels smoothly.
The 2026 EZWay Pre-Confirmed Authorization Rules (Authorization 3.0)
New RulesOn February 23, 2026, the Ministry of Finance amended and promulgated the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance of Air/Sea Express Consignments, and from March 1, 2026, fully implemented "Pre-Confirmed Authorization": for express cargo that is a personal import under simplified declaration and authorized online via "real-name verification," recipients must first complete "Pre-Confirmed Authorization" through EZWay before Customs can release the goods. Customs has been phasing this in since December 2021, and as of November 30, 2025, the proportion of declarations using pre-authorization has exceeded 80%, with over 3 million people enrolled.
What's the difference between the old rules and the 2026 new rules?
OldPer-shipment declaration confirmation (the general practice before 2026-03)
EZWay only sent a push notification "after the parcel arrived at Taiwan Customs," and you tapped "Confirm Declaration" one shipment at a time after receiving it. If you hadn't installed the app or didn't respond, it got stuck. At that time, pre-authorization was voluntary and encouraged (Customs began phasing it in from December 2021), so not everyone had it.
NewPre-Confirmed Authorization (Authorization 3.0, fully in force from 2026-03-01)
You add "pre-authorization" in the app in advance, which is equivalent to pre-authorizing the customs broker to declare in your name. For every future imported parcel, Customs can send the data into the system ahead of time; you only need to confirm "Declaration Matches" when the push notification pops up to complete the authorization and speed up release. Without pre-authorization → that shipment cannot complete authorized customs declaration → it cannot be declared for import.
What do members need to do? (3 steps to set up pre-authorization)
- First complete real-name verification (see "Real-Name Verification in 5 Steps" below), which is the prerequisite for pre-authorization.
- Go into the EZWay app settings: tap the gear icon in the top right → Personal Settings → "Member Data Maintenance" → enter your password to proceed. Confirm that the "pre-authorization" status shows as enrolled (if "pre-authorization" appears in red, it means you have already been brought under the new rules).
- For each parcel, when you receive the push notification, verify that the sender / item name / amount are correct, then tap "Declaration Matches." If it is not your parcel, tap "Declaration Does Not Match" to reject it and prevent your personal data from being misused for declaration.
- That imported parcel cannot complete authorized customs declaration and cannot be declared for import, and it gets stuck at Customs.
- Continued holding incurs daily storage fees; if not handled within 30 days, it is treated as abandoned cargo and returned or destroyed, with the cost borne by the cargo owner.
- Whether you respond "Declaration Does Not Match" or don't respond at all, Customs will not release the goods.
Because the authorization is sent to Customs "ahead of time," the customs broker can prepare the declaration before the goods even arrive in Taiwan, eliminating the wait of authorizing each shipment one by one after arrival. With an AEO-certified customs broker, in the best case the goods can be released from the warehouse within 24 hours of arriving in Taiwan. Reminder: you still need to tap the push notification promptly—dragging your feet will still cause delays. We recommend enabling both app push notifications and email notifications for double protection.
The main reason is to prevent "personal data being misused for declaration" to import illegal or controlled items (colloquially known as "ghost parcels"). According to Customs Administration statistics (cited in reports by multiple media outlets in 2025), cases of impersonated declaration fell from 1,723 in 2023 to 474 in 2024, and only 39 in January–October 2025, showing that pre-authorization is effective. For the full announcement, see the Customs Administration link in "Legal Basis and Official Sources" at the end of this article.
2026 Compliance Essentials Under the New Rules: Penalty Red Lines and How to Choose the Right Consolidator
Many people conflate "not doing pre-authorization" with "getting fined"—but these are two different things. Telling them apart saves you needless worry and keeps you from crossing the real red lines.
ANo pre-authorization → the parcel "cannot clear customs," not a fine
If you haven't completed Pre-Confirmed Authorization, Customs will not accept the declaration, the goods get stuck, and after 30 days they are treated as abandoned cargo and returned or destroyed. What you lose is the storage fees and the cost of the goods—but this is not an administrative fine. Simply complete the authorization and tap "Declaration Matches" when you receive the push notification to have it released.
BImporting the "five categories of prohibited items" → that's the real red line for heavy penalties
What truly draws heavy penalties is importing prohibited / controlled items. The Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance clearly identifies five categories prohibited from import: controlled items, counterfeit goods (infringing intellectual property rights), fresh agricultural / fishery / livestock products, live animals and plants, and protected wildlife and its products. For example, importing live animals without permission may violate the Wildlife Conservation Act, the Animal Infectious Disease Control Act, and the Foreign Trade Act, and the importer may face up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of NT$3,000,000; illegally importing plants subject to quarantine (such as plants used for Christmas decorations) may also incur a fine of NT$30,000–150,000. These penalties are for "the goods themselves being non-compliant" and have nothing to do with whether you have completed authorization.
As long as goods are declared in your name / under your EZWay real-name verification, you are the legal importer, and false declaration (such as under-reporting the value) is your responsibility. Under Article 37 of the Customs Anti-Smuggling Act, this may incur a fine of up to five times the evaded import duty plus confiscation of the goods. See Being used as a nominal declarant in consolidation and having your EZWay misused: liability and self-protection SOP.
How to choose a "compliant" consolidator in 2026? 5 objective indicators
Consolidation itself is legal; the key is choosing a compliant operator. Below are neutral checkpoints (brand-agnostic—compare them yourself):
- Helps you go through proper EZWay real-name verification and pre-authorization, rather than asking you to hand over your account / identity for them to operate.
- Declares truthfully and does not push under-declared all-in quotes—the penalty for under-declaring falls on you, not the operator.
- Has AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) certification or works with a licensed customs broker, for more stable clearance and clear responsibility.
- Transparent fees and taxes, with an upfront estimate available (you can first use the Taobao tax calculator for comparison).
- Has a traceable proper process and customer support, so there is someone to help when a parcel gets stuck.
Download the EZWay App
Search "EZWay" on the iOS App Store / Google Play to download
📱 iPhone / iPad download 🤖 Android downloadDeveloper: Tradevan (commissioned by Taiwan's Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance)
Note: Be sure to download the official "EZWay" app—there are counterfeit apps with the same name on the market. Verify the developer "Tradevan" and the icon of white "EZ" text on a blue background.
Register in 3 Minutes
1Open the app and tap "Register New Account"
When you open it for the first time after downloading, the screen shows "Log In" and "Register New Account" buttons. For first-time use, tap "Register New Account."
2Enter your personal information
You need:
① National ID number (ROC nationals) or resident certificate number (foreign nationals)
② Name (Chinese name, must match your ID card)
③ Mobile number (Taiwan, starting with 09; will receive a verification code)
④ Email address
3Set a password
Password rules: 8-16 characters, including uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers. The password must be changed every 6 months; we recommend saving it in a password manager (1Password / Bitwarden).
4Mobile SMS verification code
The system sends a 4-6 digit SMS verification code to your phone; enter it to complete registration. Mainland China / overseas mobile numbers cannot receive it—you must use a Taiwan number.
EZWay Real-Name Verification in 5 Steps
Completing registration is only the first step; to clear customs you also need "real-name verification" (linking your ID document):
- Log in to the EZWay app and tap "Member Area" at the bottom
- Tap "I Want Real-Name Verification"
- Use your phone camera to photograph the front + back of your ID card (must be clear, glare-free, with all four corners intact)
- Do facial recognition facing the camera (blink, turn your head, smile, and various actions)
- Submit for review—usually approved within 1-3 business days, and the app will push a notification
Your ID number is linked with Customs, and thereafter each time there is an express import, the system automatically pushes a notification to the app—you just tap "Confirm Declaration." You only verify once in a lifetime.
- The ID card photo is blurry or has glare
- Insufficient lighting for facial recognition
- A typo in the name entry (such as a wrong character or a traditional/simplified conversion error)
- The ID card has expired
When rejected, the app explains the reason; just retake and resubmit, with no limit on attempts.
How to Confirm a Declaration When You Receive a Parcel Notification
When your parcel ships from Shenzhen and arrives at Taiwan Customs, EZWay sends a push notification. The process:
1Receive an app push notification
The title is something like "You have 1 imported parcel awaiting confirmation." A backup email is also sent to your registered email.
2Go into the app to view the "awaiting confirmation" list
It shows: sender, item name, quantity, amount, CCC code, and estimated taxes. Look carefully to see whether it is your parcel (if you suspect impersonation, you can reject it).
3Tap "Confirm Declaration"
After confirming the information is correct, tap the green "Confirm Declaration" button. The system sends the data to Customs.
4Wait for Customs release
After confirmation, Customs usually releases within 1-24 hours. Duty-free parcels (<NT$2,000) are handled automatically by the system; parcels over the duty-free threshold require tax payment, and the app provides a payment link (online card payment / ATM).
Customs usually gives you 7 days to confirm. Parcels not confirmed within 7 days will be returned or destroyed. We recommend enabling both app push notifications and email notifications for double protection.
EZWay Password Rules and Setup Notes
Quite a few people fail when setting or resetting their EZWay password because it doesn't meet the format. Below we compile the official password format requirements and common setup mistakes so you get it right the first time.
EZWay Password Format Rules
- Length: 8–16 characters (fewer than 8 or more than 16 characters cannot be set)
- Must contain all of: uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), and numbers (0–9)
- Cannot be numbers only or letters only—all three character types are required
- Every 6 months the system requires a mandatory password change; we recommend using a password manager (iCloud Keychain, Bitwarden, 1Password) to store it
Example format: Lucky2026 (8 characters, with uppercase L, lowercase "ucky," and the numbers 2026). Please do not use this example directly; set your own combination that is easy to remember but contains no personal information.
- Only numbers or only letters: all three character types (uppercase + lowercase + numbers) must appear together
- Fewer than 8 characters: "123abc" is only 6 characters and the system rejects it
- More than 16 characters: some password managers auto-generate long passwords that exceed the limit
- Same as the old password: you cannot reuse the old password during a mandatory change
- Contains special characters or spaces: some app versions have unstable support for special characters; we recommend using only letters and numbers
On the EZWay login page, tap "Forgot Password," enter your national ID number + registered mobile number, and after receiving a 6-digit SMS verification code you can reset a new password (about 2–3 minutes). If your mobile number has changed, refer to "What to do if you forget your password or change phones" below, or go to the full EZWay forgot-password tutorial.
What to Do If You Forget Your Password or Change Phones
Forgot your password
On the login page, tap "Forgot Password" → enter your national ID number + registered phone → the system sends a verification code → reset your password. Done within 10 minutes.
Your mobile number has changed
What if your new mobile number can't receive the verification code? Two methods:
- Update within the app: log in to the EZWay app and change your phone under "Member Area → Personal Data" (or contact EZ Way support at (02)7735-2812 for help)
- Handle it in person: bring your ID card to Taoyuan Airport Customs (or the customs office nearest you) and fill in a form to change it
Your ID card has a new number
You need to handle the ID card renewal in person at Customs + redo EZWay real-name verification, generally completed within 1 business day.
Common Errors and Fixes
① Confirm the phone is a Taiwan number starting with 09, not a Mainland China / overseas number ② Confirm the phone isn't blocking SMS (Chunghwa Telecom SMS filtering) ③ Wait 5 minutes and try again (the system may be delayed)
This means the same ID card has already registered EZWay. It could be: ① you registered before and forgot → use "Forgot Password" to recover it ② a family member registered for you → ask the family member for the account and password ③ a scammer stole your identity → call EZ Way support at (02)7735-2812 to file a complaint
Call the EZ Way support hotline (02)7735-2812 (Tradevan) and provide your ID card + registered phone to inquire. Delays are usually due to unclear photos.
① Check whether the app's push permission is turned off (iOS Settings → Notifications → EZWay, turn it on) ② Log in to the app directly to view the "awaiting confirmation" list ③ Also check your registered email (including the spam folder)
How HowBridge Helps With the EZWay Process
Registration guidance
Support in 14 languages
Real-name verification consulting
Faster review for foreign residents
Push notification on parcel arrival in Taiwan
Reminds you to open the app and confirm the declaration
Tax estimation
Estimate before confirming the declaration
24/7 chat
Immediate help when EZWay has issues
Tariff lookup
12,000+ CCC codes, self-service
Legal Basis and Official Sources
The processes and rules on this page are all compiled based on the following current regulations and official government materials, last verified 2026-07-11:
- Express cargo consignee real-name verification / declaration authorization: the direct legal basis is Article 17 of the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance of Air Express Consignments and Article 18 of the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance of Sea Express Consignments (three methods of online authorization, including online authorization handled through the real-name verification platform built by the clearance network operator) and Article 14 (consignee real-name verification mobile-number declaration); the above regulations are enacted under the authorization of Article 27 of the Customs Act — Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance.
- Full implementation of Pre-Confirmed Authorization from 2026-03-01: on 2026-02-23, the Ministry of Finance amended and promulgated the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance of Air/Sea Express Consignments, fully implementing "Pre-Confirmed Authorization" for personal imports under simplified declaration that use real-name online authorization; those who do not complete it cannot complete authorized customs declaration — Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance, official explanation of "express cargo consignee real-name verification / Pre-Confirmed Authorization".
- NT$2,000 duty-free threshold: authorized for announcement by the Ministry of Finance under Article 49, Paragraph 2 of the Customs Act; duty-free does not apply for more than 6 times in half a year: Regulations Governing Customs Clearance of Air/Sea Express Consignments (postal parcels are handled separately under the Regulations Governing the Clearance of Imported and Exported Postal Parcels) — Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance.
- The EZ Way app was developed by Tradevan on commission from the Customs Administration; EZ Way hotline (02)7735-2812, email ezway@tradevan.com.tw; Customs toll-free service line 0800-005-055.
Official lookup: Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance (express-cargo consignee real-name verification zone), Customs Administration explanation of "Pre-Confirmed Authorization for declaration"; for the app, search "EZ Way" on the App Store / Google Play (developer: Tradevan).
EZWay Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Related Reading
How long does Taiwan customs clearance take? Complete guide to clearance timelines by shipping method
Used as a nominal declarant in consolidation, or EZWay misused? Anti-smuggling liability and self-protection SOP
Forgot your EZWay password? Reset tutorial
Complete Taiwan customs declaration guide: EZWay, single window, clearance process
Complete guide to Taiwan tariff lookup, CCC code, and tax rate estimation
Complete tutorial on Taobao consolidation to Taiwan
Complete tutorial on shipping Pinduoduo to Taiwan
Complete tutorial on shipping 1688 / Alibaba wholesale to Taiwan
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