Can Pet Food and Supplies Be Shipped to Taiwan?
Non-food pet supplies such as toys, leashes, clothing, bowls, beds, and grooming tools can be shipped through parcel forwarding as usual. Tariff rates are approximately 5–10%, depending on the material, and shipments with a customs value of ≤ NT$2,000 are tax-exempt. Pet food containing animal-derived ingredients, including dry feed, canned food, jerky treats, and rawhide chews, is subject to animal quarantine. It must be accompanied by an official animal quarantine certificate from the exporting country and pass quarantine inspection. Such certificates are nearly impossible to obtain for personal mail or parcel-forwarding shipments, effectively making these products unshippable. The sole quarantine exemption applies to products that contain no bovine-derived ingredients and have been canned and sterilized at high temperatures.
Last updated: 21 August 2026 ｜ HowBridge Editorial Team ｜ Sources: Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases (動物傳染病防治條例), Regulations for the Importation of Objects Subject to Animal Quarantine (輸入應施檢疫物檢疫準則), quarantine requirements for imported dog and cat food issued by APHIA, and the Customs Import Tariff issued by the Customs Administration
Which pet products can and cannot be shipped?
There is only one test: does it contain any animal-derived ingredients? Supplies without animal-derived ingredients can be shipped. Any product containing ingredients derived from cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, or other animals—whether feed, treats, or chew toys—is subject to animal quarantine and, in practice, cannot pass the requirements for a personal shipment.
✅ Can Be Shipped (Non-food Products Without Animal-Derived Ingredients)
- Pet toys (taxed according to material; products containing batteries must be handled as special cargo)
- Leashes, harnesses, collars, and muzzles (tariff heading 4201, 7.5%)
- Pet clothing, raincoats, and shoe covers
- Food bowls, feeding mats, pet beds, sleeping mats, and travel crates
- Litter boxes, grooming tools, nail clippers, and cleaning products
- Plant-based treats without animal-derived ingredients, such as pumpkin strips and dried sweet potato
⚠️ Require Animal Quarantine／Effectively Cannot Be Shipped (Contain Animal-Derived Ingredients)
- Feed containing dried meat, canned dog and cat food, and freeze-dried staple food
- Meat-containing treats such as jerky, meat strips, and freeze-dried meat chunks
- Animal-hide chews such as rawhide chews and dental chews (tariff heading 4205, import regulation B01)
- Pet supplements containing animal-derived ingredients, such as fish oil, sheep milk powder, and eggshell membrane
- Raw meat diets (BARF) and frozen raw meat
⚠️ To determine whether a product contains animal-derived ingredients, check the ingredient list, not its appearance. Many dental chews marketed as “plant-based” still contain gelatin or dairy ingredients. If the labeling is unclear, treat the product as containing animal-derived ingredients to prevent the entire shipment from being returned or destroyed.
Why can't pet food containing animal-derived ingredients be shipped?
Because the issue is not the tax—it is quarantine. Dog and cat food containing animal-derived ingredients is subject to animal quarantine. Regulations require an official animal quarantine certificate issued by the government of the exporting country. When an individual purchases a single bag of feed from an overseas seller, the seller will not—and cannot—apply for an official quarantine certificate for one parcel. The barrier is therefore not the tariff rate; it is that the required document is simply unobtainable.
Dog and cat food containing animal-derived ingredients such as cattle, sheep, pigs, or poultry—including dry feed, canned food, treats, and supplements—as well as animal-hide chews such as rawhide chews, is subject to animal quarantine. These products may be imported only with an official animal quarantine certificate from the exporting country and after passing Taiwan's quarantine inspection. Personal shipments usually cannot obtain this certificate, effectively making shipment prohibited.
Products intended for pet consumption that contain no bovine-derived ingredients and have been canned and sterilized at high temperatures may be imported directly without animal quarantine. In practice, the ingredient list and processing description must be sufficiently clear to claim this exemption; otherwise, customs may still request supplementary documents.
Why Are the Rules So Strict?
The logic is the same as the ban on shipping meat-containing food for human consumption: it prevents animal infectious diseases such as African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) from entering Taiwan through animal products. Penalty standards for unlawfully carrying or mailing animal products are the same as those for meat-containing food intended for human consumption. Products are not treated more leniently merely because they are “for pets.”
Penalties for unlawfully importing objects subject to animal quarantine are imposed under the Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases (動物傳染病防治條例). For the current minimum fines and applicable article numbers, refer to the latest announcements from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency, Ministry of Agriculture (農業部動植物防疫檢疫署) and the competent authorities. Do not take the risk simply because it is “only one bag of treats.”
Is it legally permitted to ship pet products from China?
This must be assessed on two levels: first, whether goods from Mainland China are permitted for import; second, whether quarantine is required. Check the “Import Regulations” column of the tariff schedule. An item marked MW0 is prohibited from import. An item marked MP1 is conditionally permitted. If neither code is listed, the item may be imported without an import permit.
| Import Regulation Code | Meaning | Practical Impact on Parcel Forwarding |
|---|---|---|
MW0 | Goods from Mainland China whose import is prohibited | Cannot be shipped. Importers must first submit a special-case application to the International Trade Administration (經濟部國際貿易署), obtain a decision letter granting “permission for import within a specified period,” and then apply for an import permit. This does not apply to personal parcel-forwarding shipments. |
MP1 | Goods from Mainland China whose import is conditionally permitted | Can be shipped, but if the “Special Regulations” column also lists a code beginning with M or 121, an import permit issued by the International Trade Administration is required for customs clearance. |
| Neither MW0 nor MP1 listed | Goods from Mainland China are permitted for import | No import permit is required; customs declarations may be submitted directly to customs. |
B01 | Subject to animal quarantine by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (農業部動植物防疫檢疫署) | This requirement applies independently of the above rules—even if goods from Mainland China are permitted for import, products containing animal-derived ingredients still require a quarantine certificate. |
The Import Regulations column for tariff classification 2309.10.00.00-2 “Dog or cat food put up for retail sale” lists B01 MP1. Separately, MP1 means that dog and cat food produced in Mainland China is conditionally permitted for import, rather than prohibited. However, B01 means that it is also subject to animal quarantine. Conclusion: there is no blanket legal prohibition. Personal parcel-forwarding shipments are blocked because the quarantine certificate cannot be obtained. These are two separate issues. Do not misrepresent “unable to pass quarantine” as “Mainland Chinese goods are prohibited from import.”
💡 Want to check for yourself? Enter the product name in our tariff search and check whether MW0／MP1／B01 appears in the “Import Regulations” column.
What are the tariff classifications and rates for pet products?
Pet toys are not classified under Chapter 95 for children's toys. Under the international tariff schedule, heading 95.03 covers “toys” intended for human amusement, whether for children or adults. Toys for animals are excluded and are instead classified according to their material. This is one of the most commonly misclassified product categories, and the classification directly affects the tariff rate.
| Product Category | CCC Tariff Classification | Column I Tariff Rate | Import Regulations／Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog and cat food in retail packaging | 2309.10.00.00-2 | 2% | B01 animal quarantine ＋ MP1 |
| Pet chews made from animal hide, including rawhide chews and dental chews | 4205.00.90.10-4 | 7.5% | B01 animal quarantine |
| Leashes, harnesses, muzzles, and dog clothing made from textile materials | 4201.00.00.10-7 | 7.5% | General goods |
| Leashes and harnesses made from leather／plastic／other materials | 4201.00.00.20-5 ／ 30-3 ／ 90-0 | 7.5% | General goods |
| Pet toys made of plastic | 3926.90.90.90-8 | 5% | Classified by material, not under Chapter 95 |
| Pet toys made of rubber | 4016.99.90.00-7 | 7.5% | Classified by material |
| Pet toys and pet beds made from textiles | 6307.90.90.90-1 ／ 6304.93.00.00-9 | 10% | Classified by material |
Shipments with a customs value of ≤ NT$2,000 are exempt from customs duty and business tax, so most individual pet supplies fall within the tax-exempt range. The table above shows common classifications. The actual tariff classification is determined by customs using the 11-digit CCC code based on the product's actual material and use. The tariff rate for the same type of toy may range from 5% to 10% when made from different materials.
⚠️ NT$2,000 is a threshold, not a tax-free allowance. Once the customs value exceeds NT$2,000, the entire shipment is taxed based on its customs value, not merely the portion exceeding the threshold.
What restrictions apply to pet supplements and veterinary drugs?
For supplements, the rules depend on whether they contain animal-derived ingredients and on the quantity. Once a product claims therapeutic effects or contains medicinal ingredients, it falls under veterinary drug controls and may not be imported directly by individuals.
| Type | Rules |
|---|---|
| Pet vitamin and mineral supplements without animal-derived ingredients | For personal use, up to 12 units of each type and no more than 36 units in total |
| Animal-derived supplements such as fish oil and sheep milk powder | Products containing animal-derived ingredients require animal quarantine; quantities are also subject to personal-use limits |
| Products claiming therapeutic effects or containing medicinal ingredients, including medicated toothpaste, medicated washes, flea drops, and deworming medication | They may be classified as veterinary drugs, require approval from the competent authority, and may not be imported directly by individuals |
| Veterinary drugs carried in the personal baggage of arriving passengers for their own pets | A separate quantity-limit schedule applies. These limits differ from the rules for mail and parcel-forwarding shipments and cannot be applied interchangeably |
For borderline products such as pet toothpaste, the test is whether therapeutic effects are claimed. Products intended solely for oral cleaning can be shipped, while products claiming to “treat periodontal disease” or provide “antibacterial therapeutic effects” may be classified as veterinary drugs. See Does Pet Toothpaste Shipped to Taiwan Require Food Certification? for details.
What must businesses declare when importing pet food?
This section applies only to businesses, not personal-use imports. Businesses that manufacture, process, or import pet food must complete an online declaration within 30 days after their first manufacture or import. Small personal-use imports are governed primarily by quarantine and quantity requirements.
Under the Animal Protection Act (動物保護法) and the regulations governing declarations by pet food businesses, businesses that manufacture, process, or import pet food must declare the product name, net weight, primary ingredients, additives, nutritional composition, applicable pet species, and other information through the Ministry of Agriculture's pet food declaration website within 30 days after their first manufacture or import. Businesses that fail to file a declaration and do not correct the violation within the specified period are subject to a fine of NT$3,000 or more, up to NT$15,000.
⚠️ Purchasing on behalf of others for resale is treated as business activity. If you buy products for others and resell them, or organize group purchases of pet feed through social media, the activity is not considered “personal use” and you must comply with the declaration obligations for pet food businesses. The distinction between personal and commercial use depends on whether sales activity occurs, not on the quantity.
Real-Time Pet Product Import Tax Calculator
Enter the product information to receive a real-time estimate of customs duty, business tax, and total landed cost based on tariff data from the Customs Administration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping Pet Food and Supplies to Taiwan
B01 MP1. MP1 means goods from Mainland China are conditionally permitted for import; it is not MW0, which means import is prohibited. What actually blocks personal parcel-forwarding shipments is the inability to obtain the official certificate required under B01 animal quarantine rules. “Unable to pass quarantine” does not mean “Mainland Chinese goods are prohibited from import.”B01, meaning animal quarantine is required. They are not exempt from quarantine merely because they “look like toys.”Legal Basis and Official Sources
- Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases (動物傳染病防治條例) and Regulations for the Importation of Objects Subject to Animal Quarantine (輸入應施檢疫物檢疫準則)—scope and import requirements for objects subject to animal quarantine
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency, Ministry of Agriculture (農業部動植物防疫檢疫署), “Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Dog and Cat Food” (Point 15-1)—quarantine certificate requirements and quarantine exemptions for dog and cat food containing animal-derived ingredients
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, “Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Prepared Animal Feed” (Point 15-2)
- Ministry of Agriculture (農業部), “Commodities Subject to Animal Quarantine”—the official list used to determine whether an item is subject to quarantine
- Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance (財政部關務署), “Import Regulations for Commodities”—official definitions of import regulation codes, including MW0／MP1／B01
- Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance, Customs Import Tariff and Classification of Import and Export Commodities (海關進口稅則暨輸出入貨品分類表)—11-digit CCC codes and Column I／Column II tariff rates
- Ministry of Agriculture, Regulations for Registration Review of Veterinary Drugs (動物用藥品檢驗登記審查準則)—regulatory boundary for products claiming therapeutic effects or containing medicinal ingredients
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency African Swine Fever Information Portal—strengthened border quarantine measures and penalties for violations