Taiwan Import/Export Business Registration 2026

A company or business entity must complete import/export business registration before formal customs declaration under its own name.

Short answer: can a company declare customs without registration?

No. To make formal import or export customs declarations under its own name, a company or business entity must complete import/export business registration with Taiwan International Trade Administration. The process is online, free, permanent, and has no capital threshold: prepare login credentials, check English name, submit new registration, and receive approval.

Last updated: 2026-05-26 ยท HowBridge Logistics editorial team ยท Reviewed by an AEO customs broker partner

Contents

  1. Why registration is required
  2. Who needs registration
  3. Before you apply
  4. Four online steps
  5. Cost, timing, validity
  6. After registration
  7. How to check status
  8. FAQ

1. Why registration is required

In Taiwan, a company or business entity must complete import/export business registration with the International Trade Administration before making formal customs declarations under its own name.

Without registration
  • The entity cannot make formal import/export customs declarations under its own name.
  • It cannot build official import/export records.
  • Certificates needed for banking, tenders, or foreign trade may not be available.
After registration: formal customs qualification is available, and a broker or connected customs system can be used.

2. Who needs registration

IdentityRegistration neededNotes
CompanyYesRequired before formal declaration under company name.
Business entityYesSole proprietorships or partnerships may apply after business registration.
IndividualNo, limited usePersonal low-value imports may use simplified declaration, but this is not business registration.

Any business entity declaring under its own name should complete import/export business registration first.

3. Before you apply

  • Approved company or business registration.
  • Company certificate or registration system account.
  • Business scope should cover international trade or a broad lawful business clause.
  • Prepare 1 to 6 proposed English names and check trademark conflict risk first.

4. Four online registration steps

System: fbfh.trade.gov.tw

1

Prepare login method

After company or business registration, prepare the company certificate or system account.

2

Check English name

Enter up to six proposed English names. The system reviews in order and approves one. Common review time is about 3 hours.

3

Submit new registration

After English name approval, enter business ID, Chinese and English names, address, and representative data.

4

Review and approval notice

The International Trade Administration commonly completes review in about one working day and sends approval by email.

The authority updates some basic company data automatically, so separate change filing is often unnecessary.

5. Cost, timing, and validity

Registration feeFree
Capital thresholdNone
Import/export record thresholdNone
English name checkAbout 3 hours
New registration reviewAbout 1 working day
ValidityPermanent; no annual renewal

6. What you can do after registration

  • Make formal import/export customs declarations under company or business name.
  • Apply for import/export business registration certificate.
  • Apply for English name certificate.
  • Apply for recent 3-year import/export record certificate.

7. How to check whether you are registered

Two common ways to confirm import/export business qualification:

  1. Official lookup: use the International Trade Administration business data search by business ID.
  2. HowBridge Logistics member center: add a company declarant and enter the business ID; the system checks qualification and shows formal-declaration status.
Business data lookup English name check Member center

8. FAQ

Can a company formally declare customs without registration?

No. A company or business entity must complete import/export business registration before formal declarations under its own name.

Is registration free and how long does it take?

It is free and permanent. English name check is about 3 hours, and new registration commonly takes about 1 working day.

What do I need before registration?

Complete company or business registration and prepare a company certificate or system account.

What should I watch for in English name check?

Up to six names may be entered. Avoid conflicts with existing businesses or famous trademarks.

How do I check whether my company is registered?

Use the official business data lookup with your business ID to see import and export qualification.

Can a sole proprietorship apply?

Yes. After business registration, it may apply through the same process.

What certificates can be requested after registration?

Registration certificate, English name certificate, and recent 3-year import/export record certificate.

This page is a general guide. Actual qualification, process, and timing are subject to the latest International Trade Administration notices and registration rules.

After registration, HowBridge Logistics can handle the rest

After import/export business registration, use HowBridge Logistics for forwarding, customs documents, and tax estimates. If not registered yet, start with the official online system.

Open registration system View Taiwan customs guide