Shipping K-POP Albums, Photocards and Lightsticks to Taiwan: Tariffs, Lithium Batteries and Copyright Restrictions

How HowBridge Can Help

HowBridge offers only one consolidated shipping route: China (Shenzhen warehouse) → Taiwan. We have no Korean warehouse or dedicated Korea shipping service. Information about direct shipping to Taiwan from Korean retailers such as Weverse and Ktown4u is provided as purchasing guidance.

We explain our service scope first so you do not have to read the entire page before discovering that the route is unsuitable. The same Taiwan customs clearance rules apply to direct shipments from Korea and purchases from Chinese shopping platforms, so both are covered here.

Tariff Codes and Rates: Entries Checked Against Official Source Files

Albums, photocards and CDs all have a Column 1 tariff rate of 0%. No official classification has been specified for lightsticks: classification as toys carries 0%, while classification as lighting carries 10%. An advance tariff classification ruling is required for certainty.

Sources: Entries checked individually against “Customs Import Tariff Data 2026.xls” from the Ministry of Finance Customs Administration / Customs-Port-Trade Single Window (last updated 2026-09-02), and cross-checked against Chapters 49／85／94／95 of the International Trade Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs’ “Standard Classification of Commodities of the Republic of China.” Retrieved 2026-09-07. ⚠️ The official databases contain no dedicated tariff code or interpretive ruling for “lightsticks”. This page does not determine their classification for you; apply to the Customs Administration for an advance tariff classification ruling for certainty. Code definitions: MW0 = import from mainland China is prohibited (exception: small quantities in Chapters 25–97 need no import permit if the whole declaration is within CIF NT$32,000 and each single product is within 24 pieces, with a 40 kg limit only for goods that cannot be counted; electric motorcycles, electric bicycles and their controllers are excluded, and Chapters 1–24 do not qualify); MP1 = imports of mainland Chinese goods conditionally permitted; where neither MW0 nor MP1 is listed, imports of mainland Chinese goods are permitted. MP1／MW0 are determined by country of origin, not shipping origin: Korean-made albums exported through a Shenzhen warehouse remain Korean-origin goods.

Lithium Batteries in Lightsticks: Can You Ship Them?

Chunghwa Post explicitly lists lithium batteries as prohibited “other dangerous articles.” Unlawful transport of dangerous goods by air may carry a fine of between 2 ten-thousand and 10 ten-thousand New Taiwan dollars under the Regulations Governing the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. Always confirm the shipping arrangements before ordering.

• By post: prohibited. Chunghwa Post lists lithium batteries under prohibited “Other dangerous articles,” alongside magnetized materials, knives, swords and clubs. The legal basis is Article 37 of the Regulations Governing the Handling of Mail (prohibiting flammable, explosive or other dangerous articles, radioactive articles and similar items) and the Universal Postal Convention.
• Penalties: Unlawful transport of dangerous goods by air carries a fine of at least 2 ten-thousand and at most 10 ten-thousand New Taiwan dollars under the Regulations Governing the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (issued in ROC year 97, month 2, day 25).
• 🔴 Do not rely on the fact that passengers can take batteries on board. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ table of dangerous goods permitted in passenger and crew baggage governs passenger carry-on and checked baggage. Cargo, consolidated shipping and postal services operate under different rules.
• For reference, the table’s passenger rules specify that lithium metal batteries must contain no more than 2 grams of lithium; lithium-ion batteries must have a rating of no more than 100 watt-hours; batteries above 100 but no more than 160 watt-hours require airline approval. Spare lithium batteries, including power banks, must travel in carry-on baggage, be individually protected against short circuits and are limited to 2 per person. Portable electronic devices containing lithium batteries must be completely switched off when checked in, rather than left in sleep or hibernation mode.
• Commodity inspection: Most lighting classifications under 9405 and toy classifications under 9503 list C02 in the import requirements column, indicating goods subject to inspection. Under Article 3, paragraph 2, subparagraph 2 of the Regulations Governing Exemption from Inspection of Commodities, goods meeting Article 5, paragraph 1, subparagraph 1 may qualify for an inspection exemption if the total value of goods of the same specification and model on the same declaration does not exceed USD 1,000.
• ⚠️ The inspection-exemption clearance code CI000000000010 mentioned in the Customs Administration’s press release dated 2023, month 8, day 11 (for goods valued at no more than USD 1,000, or above that amount but no more than 5 items) expressly covers only “information technology equipment”. No explicit official provision was found confirming its applicability to lighting or toys; the customs determination at declaration governs.

Sources: Chunghwa Post’s “Dangerous and Prohibited Articles” and “Prohibited Articles (Including Country-Specific Restrictions) and Dangerous Goods” pages; Executive Yuan Gazette, Volume 027, Issue 010 (dangerous goods permitted in passenger and crew carry-on or checked baggage); Article 3 of the Regulations Governing Exemption from Inspection of Commodities in the Laws and Regulations Database; and the Ministry of Finance Customs Administration’s 2023-08-11 press release. Retrieved 2026-09-07. ⚠️ This page has not obtained primary official source text on the cargo-shipping distinction between built-in and removable lithium batteries, or the UN3480／UN3481 classifications under IATA DGR, so it makes no definitive claims on these points.

Copyright and Counterfeits: Two Legal Boundaries

Copyright Act Article 87, paragraph 1, subparagraph 3 (imports of pirated copies) and subparagraph 4 (parallel imports of genuine goods) address different issues. The personal-use exception in Article 87-1 exempts only subparagraph 4 and does not protect you if you buy a pirated album.

• Subparagraph 3: “Importing copies or plate reproductions made without authorization from the economic rights holder or plate rights holder”—in other words, importing pirated goods.
• Subparagraph 4: “Importing original works or copies lawfully reproduced abroad without the economic rights holder’s consent”—in other words, parallel imports of genuine goods through unofficial distribution channels.
• 🔴 The opening text of Article 87-1, paragraph 1 states verbatim: “In any of the following circumstances, subparagraph four of the preceding article shall not apply.” The personal-use exception therefore exempts only subparagraph 4. Saying that “a pirated album is fine as long as it is a single copy for personal use” misreads the law.
• Article 87-1, paragraph 1, subparagraph 3: “Importing original works or a specified quantity of copies for the importer’s personal use without distribution, or as part of an arriving person’s baggage.” Paragraph 2 further states: “The specified quantities in subparagraphs two and three of the preceding paragraph shall be separately prescribed by the competent authority.”
• Customs seizure (Article 90-1): Copyright holders or plate rights holders may apply to customs to seize infringing imports or exports. They must submit a written explanation establishing the infringement and provide a security deposit equivalent to the customs-assessed duty-paid value. Goods determined to be infringing by a final court judgment are confiscated by customs. The person whose goods were seized bears the demurrage, storage, handling and destruction costs.
• 🔴 Low-value counterfeit goods have no longer been exempt from penalties since 2025, month 5, day 29: The current text of Article 4 of the Standards for Reduction or Exemption of Penalties in Customs Anti-Smuggling Cases exempts goods with a duty-paid value not exceeding NT$ 5,000 from fines, “provided that this exemption does not apply to firearms, ammunition, narcotics, goods infringing patent rights, trademark rights or copyrights that are not parallel imports of genuine goods, or cases involving three or more identical violations within a year.” These standards were most recently amended and promulgated in ROC year 114, month 5, day 29, and took effect that same day.
• In other words, parallel imports of genuine goods remain within the NT$ 5,000 penalty exemption, while pirated and counterfeit goods may incur penalties regardless of value.

Sources: Copyright Act Article 87 (last amended in ROC year 111, month 5, day 4), Article 87-1 and Article 90-1; and Article 4 of the Standards for Reduction or Exemption of Penalties in Customs Anti-Smuggling Cases (most recently amended in ROC year 114, month 5, day 29), from the Laws and Regulations Database. Retrieved 2026-09-07. ⚠️ This page has not obtained the Intellectual Property Office’s official source text to verify the specific “specified quantity” authorized under Article 87-1, paragraph 2, so no quantity is stated.

The Tax-Free Threshold and 6 Imports per Half-Year

A shipment with a combined duty-paid value of no more than NT$ 2,000 is exempt from customs duty, commodity tax and business tax. However, if the same taxpayer receives tax-exempt clearance more than 6 times within a half-year, the exemption no longer applies from the 7th import onward.

• Customs Act Article 49, paragraph 2: “Imported goods other than those specified in the preceding paragraph are exempt from duty if their combined duty-paid value within the same shipment does not exceed the limit announced by the Ministry of Finance. This exemption does not apply to frequent imports or specific goods announced by the Ministry of Finance.” Paragraph 3 further states that the Ministry of Finance shall determine what constitutes frequent imports under that proviso.
• The threshold is NT$ 2,000: The Ministry of Finance’s eTax Portal states that goods with a duty-paid value of no more than NT$ 2,000 are exempt from customs duty, commodity tax and business tax, excluding tobacco, alcohol and agricultural products subject to tariff quotas.
• How the business tax exemption applies: Article 9, subparagraph 2 of the Value-added and Non-value-added Business Tax Act exempts imports of “goods specified in Article forty-nine of the Customs Act” from business tax. However, where customs duty becomes payable under Article 55 of that Act because the goods are transferred or their use changes, business tax must also be paid.
• How the 6-import half-year limit works: If the same taxpayer uses the exemption under Customs Act Article 49, paragraph 2 more than 6 times within a half-year, it no longer applies from the 7th import onward. Postal parcels are counted by recipient under Article 7, paragraph 1 of the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance Procedures for Importing and Exporting Postal Parcels. The half-year periods run from month 1 through month 6 and from month 7 through month 12 each year.
• You can check your own usage: The Customs Administration has applied this definition since ROC year 106. Businesses and individuals can check their used allowance through the Customs-Port-Trade Single Window’s “Frequent Import Records Inquiry (GB377)” service.
• The legal basis for identity verification: Article 17 of the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance Procedures for Air Express Consignments expressly permits authorization for customs declarations through “online authorization for individual cases via an identity verification platform established by a customs clearance network operator.” This is the legal basis for EZ WAY. Weverse Shop’s official notice also requires Taiwan recipients to complete EZ WAY identity verification and mobile number registration before shipment, and the name and phone number on the order must exactly match the EZ WAY registration details. Mismatches may cause customs clearance restrictions or delays.

Sources: Customs Act Article 49, Value-added and Non-value-added Business Tax Act Article 9, and Regulations Governing Customs Clearance Procedures for Air Express Consignments Article 17, from the Laws and Regulations Database; the Ministry of Finance eTax Portal’s “Points to Note When Buying Goods Online from Overseas” (page updated in ROC year 114, month 6, day 17); the Ministry of Finance Customs Administration’s press release “Customs Provides an Inquiry Service for Frequent Imports” (2020-08-25); and Weverse Shop’s official notice “Mandatory EZ WAY Preregistration for Taiwan Shipping.” Retrieved 2026-09-07.

Where to Buy and How Chart Sales Count

Most Korean retailers can ship directly to Taiwan. The official criterion for whether purchases count toward Hanteo sales is whether the retailer is Hanteo-certified, rather than the delivery-address rules circulating online.

Sources: Weverse Shop’s official notices and list of countries unavailable for shipping; HANTEO CHART’s official “About Hanteo Chart” and “Certified Family” pages; and CIRCLE CHART’s official FAQ on chart ranking methodology. Retrieved 2026-09-07.

Frequently Asked Questions