Complete Printer Import Guide

📅 Updated:

Canon imageCLASS, Epson EcoTank, HP OfficeJet, Brother, and Polaroid Hi-Print

💡 Printers: US 110V is fully compatible, and bulk ink buying can save 50%

Canon imageCLASS MF656Cdw is US USD$469 versus Taiwan NT$15,000; Epson EcoTank ET-2980 is USD$229 versus Taiwan NT$8,000; HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e is USD$249; Polaroid Hi-Print 2x3 is USD$99. Taiwan voltage is 110V/60Hz, fully compatible with US-spec printers.

Table of Contents

  1. Why forward printers from the US?
  2. 5 product categories
  3. 5 major printer brands
  4. Ink / toner / paper buying guide
  5. 5 buying platforms
  6. 6 steps for printer forwarding
  7. FAQ

How do I buy a printer in the US and ship it to Taiwan?

  • 25-40% price gaps: Canon imageCLASS MF656Cdw in the US at USD$469 versus Taiwan NT$15,000, saving NT$2,500+
  • Epson EcoTank high-capacity ink: no cartridges needed, printing 4,500-7,500 pages per bottle
  • HP Instant Ink subscription: automatic ink replenishment and page-based billing, US service
  • Polaroid Hi-Print instant photos: Bluetooth mobile photo printer
  • US 110V fully compatible: Taiwan voltage matches US spec, plug-and-use
  • Ink / toner: bulk buying can save 50% through Costco / Amazon Subscribe

5 Product Categories

TypePrice rangeMain modelsShipping
Home / office laser multifunctionUSD$200-700Canon imageCLASS MF656Cdw, Brother MFC-L3750CDWLarge-item sea freight
EcoTank high-capacity inkUSD$200-600Epson EcoTank ET-2980 / ET-15000, Canon MegaTankLarge-item sea freight
Business inkjet multifunctionUSD$200-500HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e / 9135e, Canon PIXMA TR8620EMS / sea freight
Label printers / receipt printersUSD$30-300Brother P-touch, DYMO LabelWriter, Star TSP100EMS air
Mobile photo printersUSD$80-200Polaroid Hi-Print 2x3, Canon SELPHY, HP SprocketEMS air

5 Major Printer Brands

1. Canon, Japan, office laser + inkjet

Main models: imageCLASS MF656Cdw laser multifunction, PIXMA TR8620, PIXMA G7020 MegaTank, SELPHY CP1500
Price gap: 1. Canon imageCLASS MF656Cdw at Best Buy US for USD$469 (NT$14,800) versus Taiwan NT$15,000
Notes: 1. founded in Japan in 1937 2. imageCLASS = business laser 3. MegaTank = high-capacity ink.

2. Epson, Japan, EcoTank high-capacity ink

Main models: EcoTank ET-2980, ET-15000 for A3, ET-3850, SureColor sublimation printers
Price gap: 1. Epson EcoTank ET-2980 at Costco US for USD$229 (NT$7,200) versus Taiwan NT$8,000
Notes: 1. EcoTank prints 4,500-7,500 pages per bottle 2. Costco often has strong deals 3. 4-pack ink around USD$60.

3. HP, US, OfficeJet + Instant Ink

Main models: OfficeJet Pro 9015e / 9135e, LaserJet Pro M255dw, Smart Tank 7301
Price gap: 1. HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e in the US at USD$249 (NT$7,860) versus Taiwan NT$10,000
Notes: 1. HP Instant Ink subscriptions from USD$3-25 / month 2. 6 months of free ink in some promotions 3. Smart App mobile printing.

4. Brother, Japan, laser + labels

Main models: MFC-L3750CDW laser multifunction, P-touch PT-D610BT label maker, HL-L2350DW
Price gap: 1. Brother MFC-L3750CDW in the US at USD$429 (NT$13,500) versus Taiwan NT$16,000
Notes: 1. founded in Japan in 1908 2. P-touch is the label-maker benchmark 3. buy through Amazon / Best Buy.

5. Polaroid Hi-Print, mobile photos

Main models: Hi-Print 2x3 Pocket, Hi-Print Generation 2
Price gap: 1. Polaroid Hi-Print 2x3 in the US at USD$99 (NT$3,120) versus Taiwan NT$4,500
Notes: 1. Bluetooth mobile photos 2. 4-color dye sublimation 3. buy through Polaroid.com / Amazon.

Ink / Toner / Paper Buying Guide

3 consumable strategies
  • Epson EcoTank ink: 4-pack at USD$60 (NT$1,890), prints 7,500 pages, about USD$0.008 per page, saving around 90%
  • HP Instant Ink subscription: USD$3-25 / month, automatic ink replenishment with page-based billing
  • Brother compatible toner: third-party Amazon toner can be 50-70% cheaper

5 Buying Platforms

1. Best Buy / Amazon US

Region: US Type: electronics / general retail

Advantages: 1. complete brand coverage 2. Black Friday 30-40% off 3. Subscribe & Save gives 15% off ink
Drawback: 1. choose Sold by Amazon carefully

2. Costco US

Region: US Type: warehouse club

Advantages: 1. Epson EcoTank bundles are cheap 2. member-only discounts 3. toner / ink bundles included
Drawback: 1. Costco membership required

3. Staples / Office Depot

Region: US Type: office supplies

Advantages: 1. strong Brother / HP business lineup 2. rewards program 3. bundle kits
Drawback: 1. forwarding required

4. HP.com / Canon.com / Epson.com official stores

Region: US Type: official brand stores

Advantages: 1. HP Instant Ink subscription 2. Canon Care+ global warranty options 3. limited graphics and bundles
Drawback: 1. forwarding required

5. Polaroid.com / Canon SELPHY

Region: US Type: mobile photo printing

Advantages: 1. Polaroid Hi-Print Bluetooth printers 2. Canon SELPHY large 4x6 photos 3. combine photo paper in the same shipment
Drawback: 1. photo paper / cartridges are model-specific

6 Steps for Printer Forwarding

1Confirm category and capacity

1. laser / inkjet / EcoTank / mobile 2. US 110V, compatible with Taiwan 3. toner / ink capacity included

2Choose platform

1. mainstream models -> Best Buy / Amazon 2. Epson EcoTank -> Costco big deals 3. HP Instant Ink -> HP.com subscription 4. Polaroid -> Polaroid.com

3Choose the sourcing region

US sellers (some states have no sales tax): HowBridge has not opened a US route; please use the seller's international shipping or a local forwarder.

4Warehouse inspection

1. photo confirmation of outer box 2. use reinforced protective packing for high-value laser multifunction printers 3. keep original box, power cable, starter toner / ink complete

5Choose sea freight for large items or EMS for mobile printers

1. laser multifunction / EcoTank -> LCL sea freight, 25-40 days 2. Polaroid Hi-Print -> EMS air 3. combine ink in the same shipment

6EZWay declaration + clearance

1. category: "computer peripherals / printer" plus declared value 2. Wi-Fi / Bluetooth models -> NCC-controlled RF equipment: for personal use, up to 2 units per mailed (incl. consolidated) shipment or 5 units hand-carried may be imported under a self-use declaration without an import permit; 3–10 mailed or 6–10 hand-carried units need an NCC import permit; max. 10 units per person per year; individuals must be 18 or older 3. 5% duty + 5% business tax 4. see the EZWay tutorial.

Printer Forwarding FAQ

Q1. Is Epson EcoTank ET-2980 forwarding worth it?
It can be, but only at good sale prices. 1. Epson EcoTank ET-2980: Costco US price around USD$229 (NT$7,200), compared with Taiwan NT$8,000, an NT$800 gap (10%). 2. After forwarding: product NT$7,200 + sea freight NT$800 for large item + 5% duty + 5% business tax = about NT$8,800, which is NT$800 more expensive. 3. Black Friday discounts: Best Buy at USD$199 makes the landed cost about NT$7,800, roughly even; Costco at USD$179 makes landed cost about NT$7,000, saving NT$1,000. 4. Practical route: use Costco US membership; EcoTank prints 4,500-7,500 pages per bottle; 4-pack ink at USD$60 = NT$1,900 for up to 7,500 pages. 5. Notes: US 110V is fully compatible; Wi-Fi printers are NCC-controlled (personal use: up to 2 units per mailed shipment under a self-use declaration); EcoTank suits heavy printing for offices or students. 6. Recommendation: students / family -> EcoTank ET-2980; larger budget plus A3 -> ET-15000 at USD$549; ship once by sea with 4-pack ink and paper.
Q2. Is Canon imageCLASS laser multifunction worth forwarding?
Only during strong sales. 1. Canon imageCLASS MF656Cdw color laser: Best Buy US price around USD$469 (NT$14,800), compared with Taiwan NT$15,000, only NT$200 gap (1%). 2. After forwarding: product NT$14,800 + sea freight NT$1,500 for large item + 5% duty + 5% business tax = about NT$17,800, which is NT$2,800 more expensive. 3. Black Friday discounts: Best Buy at USD$349 makes landed cost about NT$13,500, saving NT$1,500 (10%). 4. Practical route: buy from Best Buy / Staples; imageCLASS is business laser; printing, copying, scanning, and faxing are combined in one machine. 5. Notes: US 110V is fully compatible; Wi-Fi printers are NCC-controlled (personal use: up to 2 units per mailed shipment under a self-use declaration); third-party Canon toner can be 50% cheaper. 6. Recommendation: general office -> MF656Cdw; heavy black-and-white printing -> Canon imageCLASS LBP6230dw; ship once by sea with toner and paper.
Q3. Is HP Instant Ink subscription worth it?
It depends on volume. 1. HP Instant Ink plans: Free Plan at 15 pages / month, Occasional at 50 pages / month for USD$3.99, Moderate at 100 pages / month for USD$5.99, Frequent at 300 pages / month for USD$10.99, and Business at 700 pages / month for USD$24.99. 2. Practical route: use HP.com subscription with a US address and US credit card; Instant Ink automatically replenishes ink and bills by page regardless of color or black-and-white. 3. Comparison: ordinary ink can cost around USD$50 per set; Instant Ink Moderate at 100 pages costs about USD$72 per year; it is worthwhile for medium-volume printing. 4. Notes: requires a US HP account and credit card; subscription can be cancelled anytime; ink is shipped directly from HP US. 5. Recommendation: medium-volume printing -> HP OfficeJet Pro + Instant Ink; heavy printing -> Epson EcoTank; mobile photo printing -> Polaroid Hi-Print.
Q4. Are Brother label makers and laser printers worth forwarding?
Label makers are often worth it; laser printers depend on sale price. 1. Brother MFC-L3750CDW color laser multifunction: US price around USD$429 (NT$13,500), compared with Taiwan NT$16,000, a NT$2,500 gap (16%). 2. After forwarding: product NT$13,500 + sea freight NT$1,200 + 5% duty + 5% business tax = about NT$16,200, slightly more than Taiwan by NT$200. 3. Brother P-touch PT-D610BT label maker: US price around USD$99 (NT$3,120), versus Taiwan NT$4,500, saving about NT$1,000. 4. Practical route: choose Amazon Sold by Amazon; Brother is a benchmark for business laser and P-touch label printing. 5. Notes: US 110V is fully compatible; third-party Brother toner can be 70% cheaper; production may be in Vietnam / China. 6. Recommendation: business -> Brother MFC-L3750; label management -> P-touch PT-D610; ship once by sea with Brother toner and paper.
Q5. Is Polaroid Hi-Print mobile photo printer worth forwarding?
Yes. 1. Polaroid Hi-Print 2x3 Pocket Photo Printer: Polaroid.com US price around USD$99 (NT$3,120), compared with Taiwan NT$4,500, a NT$1,380 gap (31%). 2. After forwarding: product NT$3,120 + international freight NT$200 + 5% duty + 5% business tax = about NT$3,650, saving NT$850 (19%). 3. Practical route: buy direct from Polaroid.com; Bluetooth mobile connection with iPhone / Android; 4-color dye sublimation for high-quality prints. 4. Comparison: Polaroid Hi-Print = 2x3 inch photos; Canon SELPHY CP1500 = larger 4x6 inch photos at around USD$129; HP Sprocket = 2x3 inch mini prints. 5. Notes: requires Hi-Print cartridges, 20 sheets at around USD$15; Bluetooth + USB-C charging; NCC-controlled (personal use: up to 2 units per mailed shipment under a self-use declaration). 6. Recommendation: travel / parties -> Polaroid Hi-Print; 4x6 photos -> Canon SELPHY; buy extra cartridge packs in the same shipment.
Q6. Will printers be inspected by customs?
Inspection probability is low, around 5-10%. 1. Inspection triggers: buying 5+ units, commercial-import suspicion, or large home appliances. 2. Response: provide Best Buy / Costco / Polaroid invoices, declare as "computer peripherals / printer," and keep personal quantity at 1-2 units. 3. Practical experience: Wi-Fi / Bluetooth printers: for personal use, up to 2 units per postal shipment may be imported under a signed self-use declaration, and 3–10 units require an NCC import approval certificate; 5+ identical printers require commercial importer registration plus NCC certification; large office laser printers are inspected more often. 4. Notes: printer duty is 5% plus 5% business tax; Wi-Fi models are NCC-controlled (personal use: up to 2 units per mailed shipment under a self-use declaration); customs may estimate value based on Taiwan retail if declared too low. 5. Recommendation: ship 1 printer plus ink / toner / paper in one batch, combine with apparel or shoes when appropriate, keep complete PayPal / credit card records, and use reinforced protective packing for large laser multifunction models.

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