Can Power Tools Bought on Taobao Be Used Directly in Taiwan? Voltage, Lithium Batteries and Import Inspection Explained
Quick answer: can power tools bought on Taobao be used once shipped to Taiwan, and what should you watch out for?
Most corded tools cannot be plugged straight into an ordinary Taiwan outlet: residential power in mainland China is 220V/50Hz (Rules on Electricity Supply Operations, Articles 6 and 7), while ordinary Taiwan outlets supply 110V/60Hz (Standards for Voltage and Frequency of Electricity Supply, Articles 3 and 4); 220V in Taiwan requires a dedicated circuit, and Makita manuals also require that the tool be “connected only to the voltage indicated on the nameplate”. Cordless tools run on DC batteries, but the charger has an AC input, so its voltage matters too, and the battery’s shipping class is determined by Wh = nominal voltage × Ah. On the import side: handheld power tools under tariff heading 8467 carry a Column 1 duty of 5%, plus 5% business tax; corded drills, electric socket wrenches and similar tools are BSMI-inspected goods (import regulation C02), and cordless tools will be brought in in phases starting January 1, 2028; portable woodworking circular saws and grinders using wheels of 50mm or more are Ministry of Labor designated machinery (import regulation 375) and fall outside the BSMI inspection scope, and we found no provision in the regulations exempting personal-use items from registration. HowBridge’s terms list lithium battery products as restricted items, so for tools with batteries, ask customer service whether they can be accepted before you order.
HowBridge has only a Shenzhen consolidation warehouse and a Taoyuan operations warehouse, and provides consolidation only from China → Taiwan; we have no warehouses in the United States, Japan or any other country, and we do not offer purchasing-agent (proxy buying) services. This page is about power tools you order yourself on mainland Chinese platforms such as Taobao, Tmall and JD.com, and what to watch out for when they are sent to our Shenzhen warehouse and consolidated back to Taiwan.
Can power tools bought on Taobao be plugged in and used directly in Taiwan?
First, distinguish two kinds of tools: corded tools run directly on mains power, while cordless (lithium) tools run on DC batteries but their chargers run on mains power. Mains specifications differ between Taiwan and mainland China, and this decides “will it work once I get it home” even before brand or price does. The table below shows the statutory standard values:
| Item | Taiwan | Mainland China | What it means for power tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary outlet voltage | 110V single-phase two-wire; 220V is supplied separately via single-phase three-wire or a dedicated circuit | 220V single-phase (three-phase 380V) | A 220V corded tool cannot be plugged into an ordinary Taiwan outlet; you need a dedicated 220V circuit, or buy a model labeled 110V |
| Frequency | 60Hz | 50Hz | Use the tool at the frequency on its rating plate; manufacturers have not published how a “50Hz tool used on 60Hz” is affected, and this page does not speculate about changes in speed or service life |
| Legal basis | Standards for Voltage and Frequency of Electricity Supply, Articles 3 and 4 (Ministry of Economic Affairs) | Rules on Electricity Supply Operations (Gongdian Yingye Guize), Articles 6 and 7 (National Development and Reform Commission, in force 2024-06-01) | — |
| Plug | Wiring plugs follow the CNS 690 pin configuration | GB 1002 (new edition in force 2025-08-01) | A plug that fits does not mean the voltage is compatible; a plug adapter does not change the voltage |
Corded tools: check the rating plate — if it says 220V, don’t plug it straight in
The Makita manual for corded tools is blunt: “The tool should be connected only to a power supply of the same voltage as indicated on the nameplate”. Corded models made for the mainland Chinese market are mostly 220V to match local mains power; rely on the “rated voltage” on the product page and the rating plate on the tool body.
Cordless tools: the battery is DC, but check the charger’s voltage
“Lithium tools work anywhere in the world” is only half right: the battery pack is DC and unrelated to mains power, but the charger has an AC input. Makita’s cordless tool manual also states that chargers “vary by region” and that only the manufacturer-specified charger may be used. If the charger is labeled 220V, you will need another solution; in Taiwan, “3C battery chargers” (AC to DC) have been subject to inspection since ROC year 103 (2014), and in 2016 the BSMI planned to add inspection standards for power tool chargers under this item; check the latest BSMI announcements before buying.
A step-up transformer only changes the voltage; it does not turn 60Hz into 50Hz. Manufacturers require use at the voltage on the rating plate, and this page draws no conclusion on whether a transformer is suitable. Rather than gamble on a transformer, choose the right voltage and charger specification when you order. For a full explanation of appliance voltage, see Taiwan voltage 110V/60Hz quick reference.
Do power tools need inspection when imported into Taiwan? What is the difference between BSMI and Ministry of Labor 375?
Importing power tools brings you up against rules from two different agencies: the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), Ministry of Economic Affairs, handles “consumer product safety” (import regulation code C02), while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Ministry of Labor handles “safety of designated machinery and equipment” (import regulation code 375). A single tariff code may list both 375 and C02, but models that fall within the OSHA 375 scope are outside the BSMI inspection scope. The table below shows the results of a query of the HowBridge tariff database on 2026-09-24:
| Tariff code | Description | Column 1 duty | Import regulation | Plain-language note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8467.21.00.00-5 | Drills of all kinds (electric drills, hammer drills) | 5% | C02 | Corded handheld drills are BSMI-inspected goods; cordless ones are brought in from 2028 |
| 8467.22.00.00-4 | Saws (circular saws, jigsaws, etc.) | 5% | 375 C02 | Portable woodworking circular saws fall within Ministry of Labor 375 (not within BSMI inspection); jigsaws and reciprocating saws (non-circular blades) are excluded under the OSHA scope table |
| 8467.29.10.00-5 | Portable electric grinders (bench/angle grinders, sanders) | 5% | 375 C02 | Grinders using aluminum-oxide grinding wheels 50mm or more in diameter fall under 375; tools using sandpaper or abrasive cloth are outside 375 |
| 8467.29.30.00-1 | Electric socket wrenches | 5% | C02 | Corded models are BSMI-inspected goods |
| 8467.29.90.00-8 | Other handheld power tools (electric screwdrivers, etc.) | 5% | 375 C02 | Whether a tool falls under 375 is judged item by item against the OSHA scope table |
| 8507.60.00.90-0 | Other lithium-ion accumulators | 2.5% | C02 | May be classified under this code; whether it is an inspected item depends on BSMI announcements, and the dedicated plan for power tool battery packs is still at the draft stage |
| 8207.50.10.00-2 | Interchangeable drill bits (for hand tools) | 4% | — | Consumables; the Column 2 rate of 0% covers CN (ECFA), but you must declare PT on the import declaration and attach the original certificate of origin issued before export; in practice this is hard to apply to consolidated small parcels, so the Column 1 rate of 4% is generally used |
BSMI (C02): required now for corded tools, for cordless tools from 2028
The BSMI’s July 2025 briefing materials state that there are currently 11 items of handheld power tools subject to inspection, “limited to those ‘using AC power’, ‘30 kg or less’, and not machinery or equipment designated under the ‘Occupational Safety and Health Act’”. The BSMI has also announced an amended comparison table: cordless handheld power tools will be brought in in two phases from ROC year 117 (2028) January 1, with the second phase from July 1, 2028, and inspection by either type approval with batch-by-batch inspection or registration of product certification, in parallel. In other words, a corded drill bought on Taobao today is already an inspected product when it is imported.
Ministry of Labor 375: portable circular saws and grinders may require TS safety registration
Article 7 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act provides that, for machinery and equipment designated by the central competent authority, manufacturers, importers, suppliers or employers may not import or supply items that do not meet the safety standards, and manufacturers or importers must also register online and affix a safety label; the designated list in Article 12 of the Enforcement Rules includes circular saws for woodworking, grinding machines and grinding wheels. The OSHA 375 scope table covers both “handheld circular saws” and “handheld grinders (wheel diameter 50mm or more)”. The provisions we found contain no exclusion for “personal use”; grounds for exemption from reporting and registration include inspection under other laws, national defense, scientific research, samples, exhibitions, processing for re-export and “other special circumstances approved” by the authority, each requiring a case-by-case application.
Personal-use inspection exemption (BSMI): conditional, not automatic
Article 5 of the Regulations Governing Commodities Exempted from Inspection: personal-use items not for sale may be exempted when the total value of the same specification and model on one declaration is US$1,000 or less, or, if higher, when the personal-use items for other goods do not exceed 2 units; under Article 6, only postal parcels and accompanied baggage are released directly by customs, while shipments on an express declaration must enter the exemption code under Article 3 or apply separately; under Article 8, the same specification and model may be exempted only once in 6 months; under Article 17, exempted items may not be sold on the market. Duty exemption does not mean inspection exemption either (Regulations Governing Customs Clearance of Postal Parcels, Article 13).
We found no express provision on whether 375 also applies to small personal parcels under simplified express declaration, so we will not tell you that “personal use means it can be shipped”. If you want to buy either type of tool, first send the product link to LINE customer service @0523tw to confirm; whether it is accepted and how it is declared depend on the actual rules of customs and the shipping channel. For how to check BSMI requirements, see C01 and C02 import regulations and BSMI-inspected goods.
Can power tool lithium batteries be shipped? How do you calculate Wh?
Whether a lithium battery can be transported, and which procedure applies, depends on its watt-hours (Wh) and on whether the battery is installed in the tool, packed with the tool, or shipped on its own. First compare the 2026 edition of the IATA lithium battery guidance with common claims, then work out your battery’s Wh in three steps (formula Wh = V × Ah, where V is the nominal voltage):
| Common question | What the IATA guidance actually says | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Over 100Wh means it cannot fly? | 100Wh is the dividing line between Section I and Section II; Section I is fully regulated dangerous goods | Wrong: over 100Wh requires the full dangerous goods procedure; it is not banned outright |
| 160Wh is the cargo limit? | The cargo guidance nowhere mentions 160Wh; 160Wh is the threshold above which passenger baggage needs airline approval | Wrong: that is a passenger rule, not a cargo rule |
| Only 2 batteries per tool? | “2 batteries” is a condition for not needing the battery mark when batteries are contained in equipment; Q&A E.13 expressly allows 2 spare sets per piece of equipment, provided the net weight limit per package is not exceeded | Wrong: that is the condition for not needing the mark |
| Batteries shipped on their own can go on passenger aircraft? | Lithium-ion batteries shipped by themselves (UN 3480) are forbidden as cargo on passenger aircraft, must bear the Cargo Aircraft Only label, and must be at a state of charge not exceeding 30% | No: batteries shipped on their own cannot be carried on passenger aircraft; ask customer service first whether they can be accepted and which channel applies |
1Find the nominal voltage
Look for “nominal voltage” on the battery label. Watch out for marketing names: DeWalt’s website states that 20V MAX means “maximum initial battery voltage (measured without a workload) of 20 volts”; the nominal voltage is 18V.
2Find the capacity in Ah
If the label shows mAh, divide by 1,000. For example, 5000mAh = 5.0Ah.
3Multiply to get Wh
18V × 5.0Ah = 90Wh; 18V × 6.0Ah = 108Wh. IATA uses 100Wh as the dividing line between regulatory levels (Section I/II); above 100Wh a battery is fully regulated Class 9 dangerous goods, which does not mean it is forbidden.
HowBridge’s terms of service list “battery products (lithium batteries, power banks, etc.)” as restricted items that must comply with IATA rules. Whether power tools containing lithium batteries (especially separate spare batteries) can be accepted, and which channel they take, must be confirmed with customer service before you order; declare parcel contents truthfully — concealed goods containing batteries are exactly the risk the aviation industry is concerned about (Rifni et al., 2018). For the full rules on power banks and bare batteries, see Can power banks be mailed? Rules for shipping lithium batteries to Taiwan and Complete guide to consolidating lithium battery products.
China’s Catalogue of Items Prohibited from Delivery lists “metallic sodium, potassium, lithium” and “storage batteries”; it does not list lithium-ion batteries word for word, so one cannot say either “China expressly prohibits sending them” or “China allows sending them”; air transport follows the Regulations on the Administration of Air Transport of Dangerous Goods (CCAR-276-R2, in force 2024-07-01) and the international Technical Instructions. Whether a Taobao seller is willing to ship batteries, and with which courier, is also up to each store.
How is import tax on power tools calculated? How much will you pay?
Handheld power tools (8467) carry a Column 1 duty of 5%, and the countries eligible for the Column 2 preferential rate do not include mainland China, so power tools bought on Taobao get no ECFA preference. Import also incurs 5% business tax, whose tax base is “customs value + duty” (Value-added and Non-value-added Business Tax Act, Article 20) — it is not simply 10% of the price.
| Item | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Customs value | Product price + freight to Taiwan + insurance (Customs Act, Article 29) | NT$3,000 |
| Duty | NT$3,000 × 5% | NT$150 |
| Business tax | (NT$3,000 + NT$150) × 5% | NT$157.5 |
| Trade promotion service fee | NT$3,000 × 0.04% = NT$1.2; the Customs Administration states that “a trade promotion fee of NT$100 or less is waived” | NT$0 |
| Total taxes | Duty + business tax (amounts under NT$1 as assessed by customs) | Approx. NT$308 |
Duty-free at NT$2,000 or less — with two exceptions
Postal parcels and express shipments with a customs value of NT$2,000 or less are exempt from duty, commodity tax and business tax; however, the exemption no longer applies once you have had more than 6 duty-free releases within a half-year (January–June, July–December), and a postal parcel over NT$2,000 is taxed on the full amount, not just on the part above the threshold. Duty exemption does not mean inspection exemption.
How shipping fees are calculated
HowBridge shipping fees follow the rate table as of 2026-09-24: sea express NT$50 per unit, plus NT$100 for shipments under 10 kg; air express NT$100 per kg, plus NT$120 for shipments under 10 kg. The actual amount is what is shown before you submit the consolidation order; ask customer service first which channel a parcel containing lithium batteries can take. For how shipping fees are calculated, see How consolidation shipping fees are calculated, and estimate taxes with the import duty calculator.
How do Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch and Chinese brands compare?
On Taobao you will see international brands listed alongside Chinese brands. Before comparing, know one thing: of the 10 cordless drills sold on the Taiwan market that the BSMI and the Consumers’ Foundation purchased and tested in ROC year 113 (2024), most were made in mainland China (including the Milwaukee, WORX, DEVON and BLACK+DECKER samples), while the Bosch sample was made in Malaysia. Being made in China does not mean poor quality, but whether the brand has an official presence in Taiwan affects warranty and repairs. The table below lists only information found on brand official websites:
| Brand | Brand or parent company website | Official presence in Taiwan | Buying tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makita | makita.co.jp (the Makita Taiwan website describes it as a Japanese brand) | Yes: Makita Taiwan Ltd. (makita.com.tw, with online warranty registration) | Check with Makita Taiwan before buying whether the warranty covers purchases made abroad |
| Bosch | bosch-professional.com | Yes: bosch-pt.com.tw; the importer is Robert Bosch Taiwan Co., Ltd. | Same as above |
| DeWalt | dewalt.com; parent company Stanley Black & Decker (stanleyblackanddecker.com) | Yes: tw.dewalt.global | The nominal voltage of 20V MAX is 18V; use 18 when calculating Wh |
| Milwaukee | milwaukeetool.com; parent company Techtronic Industries TTI (ttigroup.com) | Yes: milwaukeetool.com.tw (Techtronic Industries Taiwan Co., Ltd.) | Same as above |
| WORX | worx.cn; parent company Positec (founded 1994) | No official site found | “WORX professional power tools are Positec’s high-end power tool brand” |
| Dongcheng | dongcheng.com (Jiangsu Dongcheng Power Tools Co., Ltd., founded 1995) | None found | A domestic Chinese brand; for corded models, check the voltage on the rating plate |
| DEVON | devontools.com.hk; parent company Chervon (headquartered in Nanjing, Jiangsu) | No official site found | A professional-grade brand launched in 2007 |
Makita manuals require that only the listed batteries and chargers be used. Before buying a Taobao-version tool, confirm that it belongs to the same system and voltage as the batteries and chargers you already own; ask the brand’s Taiwan office directly about warranty coverage — we do not conclude on a brand’s behalf that “Taobao goods are not covered” or that they “are definitely covered”.
From ordering on Taobao to arrival in Taiwan, how should you handle power tools step by step?
Following the 6 steps below avoids the three most common problems: buying a tool with an unusable voltage, a battery that cannot be shipped, and discovering only at customs that inspection or registration is required.
1Check the specs: voltage, frequency and charger
On the product page, look for “rated voltage” and “charger input”. For corded tools, choose a model labeled 110V or make sure you have a dedicated 220V circuit; for cordless tools, check the charger’s input voltage.
2Look up the tariff code and import regulations
Use the 11-digit CCC code lookup to find the product’s tariff code and check whether the import regulation column shows C02 or 375. For portable circular saws and grinders, stop at this step and send the link to customer service to confirm.
3Calculate battery Wh
Nominal voltage × Ah. Note down the Wh and quantity of each battery; customer service will need them when confirming whether it can be accepted.
4Ask customer service whether it can be accepted
For items with lithium batteries, spare batteries or 375 items, ask LINE customer service @0523tw before ordering to confirm whether they can be accepted and whether they go by sea express or air express.
5Order to the Shenzhen warehouse and submit a pre-alert
Enter the HowBridge Shenzhen warehouse address on Taobao and place your order, then pre-alert (forecast) the parcel in the Member Center, with a specific description such as “cordless drill (with 1 × 18V 5.0Ah battery)” rather than just “tools”.
6Create a consolidation order and declare
Once the parcel arrives at the warehouse, create a consolidation order and declare the actual price. Shipments with a customs value of NT$2,000 or less may be duty-free, provided you have not had more than 6 duty-free releases in the half-year; otherwise duty of 5% plus business tax applies. For express imports, the customs broker pushes the declaration data to you via the EZ WAY app; if you are registered for “advance authorization”, you must tap “declaration matches” in the app before the goods can be declared for import.
In which situations is buying power tools from China not recommended?
Not every tool is suited to cross-border buying. In the following situations we recommend first looking for locally distributed stock in Taiwan, or leaving the decision to customer service:
- 220V corded tools when you have no dedicated 220V circuit at home: you cannot plug them in, and a transformer does not change the frequency.
- Portable circular saws and grinders (375): we found no personal-use exemption from registration in the regulations; confirm first whether they can clear customs.
- Spare batteries or large battery packs bought on their own: lithium batteries shipped on their own cannot go on passenger aircraft; ask first whether consolidation will accept them.
- Tools you intend to resell: items exempted from inspection for personal use may not be sold on the market (Regulations Governing Commodities Exempted from Inspection, Article 17); for volume sales, use formal import and inspection instead — see Sourcing goods from mainland China to open a shop in Taiwan.
Cordless tool bodies plus a charger with a Taiwan-compatible specification, consumables such as drill bits and saw blades (8207 drill bits: Column 1 at 4%), and hand tool accessories — once you have confirmed whether the batteries can be accepted, these are the relatively straightforward options for cross-border buying.
Terms used on this page
- Nominal voltage
- The representative voltage of a battery during normal discharge, used to calculate Wh. The “20V MAX” used in power tool marketing is the maximum initial voltage without a load; DeWalt’s website states that its nominal voltage is 18V.
- Watt-hour (Wh)
- A unit of battery energy: Wh = nominal voltage (V) × capacity (Ah); IATA uses 100Wh to divide the regulatory levels for lithium-ion batteries.
- UN 3480 / UN 3481
- United Nations dangerous goods numbers. UN 3480 is lithium-ion batteries shipped on their own; UN 3481 is lithium-ion batteries packed with or contained in equipment.
- Inspected goods (commodities subject to inspection)
- Goods that the BSMI, Ministry of Economic Affairs, has announced must meet inspection requirements before they can be imported or sold; the inspection schemes are batch-by-batch inspection, monitoring inspection, registration of product certification and declaration of conformity (Commodity Inspection Act, Articles 5 and 6).
- C02
- A tariff import regulation code indicating that “some goods” under that tariff code are goods subject to import inspection as announced by the BSMI.
- 375
- A tariff import regulation code indicating that importing machinery, equipment or apparatus designated or announced by the Ministry of Labor requires a registration completion notice or a type-certification certificate, with the number declared on the declaration.
- TS safety label
- The safety label affixed in a visible place on a product after registration on the information reporting website under Article 7 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act; items not registered may not be used (Article 9).
- Customs value
- The basis on which customs levies duty, calculated from the transaction value plus freight, insurance and similar costs to the port of import (Customs Act, Article 29).
- Trade promotion service fee
- A fee collected by customs at 0.04% of the customs value; according to the Customs Administration, amounts of NT$100 or less are waived, which means imports with a customs value of NT$250,000 or less do not pay it.
- MW0 / MP1
- MW0 = mainland Chinese goods not permitted to be imported; MP1 = mainland Chinese goods permitted to be imported under conditions. None of the tariff codes under 8467 (handheld power tools) carries either of these codes in its import regulations.
Sources and limits of verification
The regulations, tariff and brand information on this page are based on the original pages actually opened, and queries of the HowBridge tariff database, on September 24, 2026; each item below includes the link, verification date and key original wording.
Government, official and standards documents
- Standards for Voltage and Frequency of Electricity Supply, Articles 3 and 4 (Ministry of Economic Affairs, amended ROC 106-06-12 [2017-06-12]; verified 2026-09-24): “The frequency of alternating current is set at sixty hertz … one hundred ten volts, supplied single-phase two-wire”
- Rules on Electricity Supply Operations (Gongdian Yingye Guize), Articles 6 and 7 (National Development and Reform Commission of China) (in force 2024-06-01; verified 2026-09-24): “The rated frequency of electricity supplied by power supply enterprises is AC 50 hertz … low-voltage supply: single-phase is 220 volts”
- Makita HR4013C instruction manual (official manufacturer document; verified 2026-09-24): “The tool should be connected only to a power supply of the same voltage as indicated on the nameplate”
- Makita XPH14 cordless tool instruction manual (official manufacturer document; verified 2026-09-24): “Some of the battery cartridges and chargers listed above may not be available depending on your region of residence”
- Commodity Inspection Act, Articles 5, 6 and 9 (amended ROC 96-07-11 [2007-07-11]; verified 2026-09-24): “Commodities subject to inspection that do not meet the inspection requirements may not be shipped out of the factory or imported or exported”
- Regulations Governing Commodities Exempted from Inspection, Articles 3, 5, 6, 8 and 17 (amended ROC 108-11-21 [2019-11-21]; verified 2026-09-24): “The total value of the same specification and model on one declaration is US$1,000 or less … other goods: 1. personal-use items: two units”
- BSMI briefing materials, “Expanding Inspection to Cordless Handheld Power Tools” (July 2025; verified 2026-09-24): “The handheld power tools currently subject to inspection by the Bureau total 11 items … and inspection is limited to those ‘using AC power’”
- BSMI comparison table of amendments to the inspection requirements for handheld power tools (PDF modified 2025-12-23; verified 2026-09-24): “For newly listed (cordless) goods, import and domestic production inspection will be implemented from January 1, ROC year 117 (2028)”
- BSMI results of purchase-and-test of cordless household drills, ROC year 113 (2024) (BSMI and the Consumers’ Foundation; verified 2026-09-24): “A total of 10 items were inspected in this round … Chinese labeling check: 6 items did not comply”
- BSMI explanation on adding inspection standards for power tool chargers to “3C battery chargers” (2016; verified 2026-09-24): “It is planned to add, under the ‘3C battery charger’ item, inspection standards applicable to battery chargers for handheld power tools and general household appliances”
- Occupational Safety and Health Act, Articles 7, 8 and 9 (amended ROC 114-12-19 [2025-12-19]; verified 2026-09-24): “Manufacturers, importers, suppliers or employers may not produce and ship out of the factory, or import, machinery, equipment or apparatus designated by the central competent authority whose construction, performance and protection do not meet the safety standards”
- Enforcement Rules of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Article 12 (amended ROC 115-06-26 [2026-06-26]; verified 2026-09-24): “3. Circular saws for woodworking. … 5. Grinding machines. 6. Grinding wheels”
- Regulations for Reporting and Registration of Safety Information on Machinery, Equipment and Apparatus, Articles 2, 4 and 5-2 (amended ROC 109-10-16 [2020-10-16]; verified 2026-09-24): “Other special circumstances in which exemption from reporting and registration is necessary and has been approved by the central competent authority”
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration, product scope table for import regulation 375 (reposted by Chiayi City Government) (2021 edition; verified 2026-09-24): “Including tenoning machines, multi-spindle tenoning machines and handheld circular saws”
- IATA Lithium Battery Guidance Document (2026 edition) (Revised for the 2026 Regulations; verified 2026-09-24): “All lithium-ion cells and batteries shipped by themselves (UN 3480) are forbidden for transport as cargo on passenger aircraft”
- DeWalt DCB205 20V MAX XR 5.0Ah battery product page (official manufacturer page; verified 2026-09-24): “Maximum initial battery voltage (measured without a workload) is 20 volts. Nominal voltage is 18.”
- Regulations Governing the Air Transport of Dangerous Goods, Articles 2 and 5 (amended ROC 107-12-10 [2018-12-10]; verified 2026-09-24): “Dangerous goods that do not comply with these Regulations and the technical instructions may not be transported by air”
- Regulations on the Administration of Air Transport of Dangerous Goods (CCAR-276-R2) (Ministry of Transport Order No. 4 of 2024; verified 2026-09-24): “In force from July 1, 2024”
- Provisions on the Administration of Items Prohibited from Delivery, Annex: Catalogue of Items Prohibited from Delivery (Guo You Fa [2016] No. 107) (State Post Bureau of China; verified 2026-09-24): “Substances that are flammable in contact with water: such as metallic sodium, potassium, lithium … corrosive substances such as sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, storage batteries”
- Regulations Governing Customs Clearance of Postal Parcels, Articles 7, 12 and 13 (amended ROC 109-04-01 [2020-04-01]; verified 2026-09-24): “Where postal items fall within the scope of goods subject to inspection or quarantine or are subject to other import/export regulations … they shall be handled in accordance with the respective import/export regulations”
- Customs Act, Articles 29 and 49 (amended ROC 111-05-11 [2022-05-11]; verified 2026-09-24): “Where the combined customs value of the same batch is at or below the limit announced by the Ministry of Finance, it is exempt from duty”
- Customs Administration, “Advance confirmation of customs brokerage authorization” (real-name authentication of express consignees) (published 2021-12-28; verified 2026-09-24): “If an importer has not confirmed the advance authorization for imported express goods, the goods cannot be declared for import”
- Value-added and Non-value-added Business Tax Act, Article 20 (amended ROC 114-05-28 [2025-05-28]; verified 2026-09-24): “For imported goods, business tax is calculated at the rate under Article 10 on the customs value plus import duty”
- Customs Administration, “What taxes and fees are payable on imported goods?” (page published 2026-07-13; verified 2026-09-24): “Trade promotion service fee: customs value of the goods × 0.04%. (Note: a trade promotion fee of NT$100 or less is waived)”
- Customs Import Tariff, tariff codes under 8467, 8507, 8207 and 8202 (HowBridge tariff database query) (HowBridge tariff database; verified 2026-09-24): “8467.21.00.00-5 drills of all kinds, Column 1 5%, import regulation C02; 8467.22.00.00-4 saws, 375 C02”
- HowBridge terms of service (restricted items) (HowBridge; verified 2026-09-24): “Battery products (lithium batteries, power banks, etc.) — must comply with IATA rules”
Academic and research literature
Thermal runaway mechanism of lithium ion battery for electric vehicles: A review
Explains that the main safety risk of lithium-ion batteries is thermal runaway; the study concerns electric-vehicle batteries, and this page cites it only as background for “why lithium batteries are classed as dangerous goods”.
Thermal runaway caused fire and explosion of lithium ion battery
Thermal runaway can cause fire and explosion, which is why shipping lithium batteries requires declaration and packaging rules.
Fabrication and electrochemical properties of lithium-ion batteries for power tools
Lithium batteries for power tools are high-power designs, different from ordinary consumer electronics batteries.
Hidden dangerous goods containing lithium batteries shipment by air freight
Undeclared goods containing lithium batteries are a risk of concern to the air cargo industry, supporting this page’s point that “parcel contents must be declared truthfully”.
A Study on Improving and Verifying the Product Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility of Electric Hand Tools: The Case of Electric Drills (original in Chinese)
Background on the safety and electromagnetic compatibility certification that handheld power tools must pass to be sold in Taiwan (cited at the title level).
A Study of Risk Assessment for Lithium Batteries Carried as Cargo on Passenger Aircraft
The risk of carrying lithium batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft has drawn research attention (cited at the title level), corresponding to this page’s point that “batteries shipped on their own cannot go on passenger aircraft”.
Market Entry Strategies of Multinational Companies in Taiwan: The Case of Power Tools (original in Chinese)
International power tool brands have their own entry and distribution strategies in Taiwan, corresponding to the “official presence in Taiwan” column in this page’s brand comparison table.
A Study of Taiwanese Consumers' Perceived Risk of Cross-Border E-Commerce Platforms (original in Chinese)
Taiwanese consumers perceive risks such as specifications and after-sales service when buying on cross-border e-commerce platforms, corresponding to this page’s reminder to “check voltage and warranty before buying”.
Online Product Safety: Trends and Challenges
Products bought online may not meet the safety rules of the importing country, corresponding to the reminder about Taiwan’s BSMI inspection system.
① Tariff classification is determined by customs based on the actual goods; the table on this page shows common correspondences and does not mean your product will necessarily be classified under that code; ② we found no express provision on whether Ministry of Labor 375 applies to small personal parcels under simplified express declaration, so this page draws no conclusion; ③ we have seen the announcement number and date for BSMI’s cordless handheld power tool rule only in secondary sources, so this page states only the implementation date; the inspection plan for dedicated power tool battery packs is still a draft; ④ the BSMI inspection-exemption clearance code document is the 2017 edition; confirm the current codes with the BSMI — this page does not list them; ⑤ manufacturers have not published how “50Hz tools used on 60Hz” are affected, and this page does not speculate; ⑥ we have not reviewed each brand’s warranty terms; confirm with the brand’s Taiwan office; ⑦ shipping fees follow the rate table as of 2026-09-24, and the actual amount is what the consolidation order shows; ⑧ this page does not constitute legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 220V power tool from Taobao be used in Taiwan with a transformer?
Does a cordless drill shipped to Taiwan need BSMI?
How many Wh is an 18V 5.0Ah battery? Can it be shipped?
Can I ship a portable circular saw or grinder back to Taiwan for personal use?
What is the difference between buying Makita or DeWalt on Taobao and buying in Taiwan?
How much tax do you pay to import power tools?
Can I buy lots of units and sell them on Shopee?
Can drill bits and saw blades be shipped together with the tools?
Further reading
Can power banks be mailed? Rules for shipping lithium batteries to Taiwan
Complete guide to consolidating lithium battery products
Taiwan voltage 110V/60Hz: can 220V appliances be used?
C01 and C02 import regulations and BSMI-inspected goods
Taobao consolidation to Taiwan: shipping fees, sea transit times and batteries
Shipping drones and RC cars bought on Taobao to Taiwan
Import duty calculator
Sourcing goods from mainland China to open a shop in Taiwan
Check the specs first, then hand your tools over to us
Once you have checked the voltage, battery Wh, tariff code and import regulations, ship from Taobao to our Shenzhen warehouse and we will consolidate and ship to Taiwan. For items with batteries or 375 items, ask customer service before ordering.
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