Taiwan Prohibited and Restricted Import List and How to Avoid Problems
Before shipping from Taobao, Pinduoduo, or another mainland Chinese marketplace, distinguish imports prohibited by law, restricted imports, goods ineligible for simplified express clearance, and carrier-restricted dangerous goods. E-cigarettes and their components are prohibited; heated-tobacco products are prohibited only when they have not passed the required health-risk assessment. CITES goods, live animals and plants, meat, and seafood require a product-, origin-, permit-, and quarantine-specific determination. The US$1,000 and 6 kg food threshold is only an exemption from applying for TFDA food import inspection; it does not waive quarantine, tax, or other import restrictions. Check the Import Regulation Code for the CCC classification before dispatch.
Difference Between "Prohibited Import" and "Restricted Import"
The principle under Taiwanese law is that goods shall be permitted to be freely imported and exported. However, restrictions may be imposed as required by international treaties or trade agreements, or on grounds of national defense, public security, culture, public health, environmental and ecological protection, or policy needs (text of Article 11 of the Foreign Trade Act). In other words, most products sold on Taobao or Pinduoduo are not "absolutely prohibited from import"; instead, they "require permit review or inspection (authorization) before importation". They may clear customs lawfully if all required documents are provided or the shipment remains within the personal-use allowance. In practice, customs controls are divided into three levels:
- Prohibited Import: Import is barred by law. Depending on the governing law and authority decision, goods may be detained, returned, forfeited, destroyed, or referred for criminal investigation. Narcotics and e-cigarettes and their components are clear examples; firearms, ammunition, and CITES goods require a product- and permit-specific determination.
- Restricted Import / Permit Review or Inspection Required: The item itself is not prohibited, but it may be imported only after obtaining authorization or permit review from the competent authority or passing inspection. Tariff searches will display an import regulation code such as 375, C02, B01, or F01. Examples include medical devices, pesticides, electronic products subject to mandatory inspection, and certain foods. This is the level that most often causes problems with Taobao consolidated shipping: shipments are returned because a required permit or inspection is missing, not because the goods themselves are illegal. Items requiring inspection must go through formal customs clearance: if the tariff line requires animal or plant quarantine (B01) or TFDA import inspection (F01), the simplified clearance used by air express and sea express does not apply — formal clearance is required, and goods already held in an express warehouse must first be transferred to a general warehouse.
- Within the Personal-Use Permit or Inspection Exemption Allowance: Small quantities for personal use may clear customs without an import permit if they remain within the permit- or inspection-exempt quantities announced by the competent authority. Quantities exceeding the allowance are treated as commercial imports and require the applicable procedures. Examples include tobacco and alcohol, cosmetics, and dietary supplements for personal use.
※ To determine whether a product requires a permit and which authority regulates it, refer to the "Import Regulations" code listed under its CCC classification in the Customs Port Trade (CPT) Single Window (see the Import Regulation Code table below). The figures on this page are general rules. Individual cases are governed by the competent authority's current announcements.
Four different reasons an item may not ship
Import law, customs-clearance mode, and carrier acceptance are separate rule sets. A shipment must satisfy all of them.
Prohibited import
Import is prohibited by law; missing compliance cannot be cured by splitting the shipment or switching to formal clearance.
Restricted import
The applicable CCC code may require a permit, consent document, commodity inspection, or animal and plant quarantine before import.
Simplified express clearance unavailable
The goods may be lawful, but formal customs clearance is required when approval, inspection, quarantine, or simplified-declaration conditions are not satisfied.
Carrier refusal
Lithium batteries, perfume, pressurized containers, and similar goods may be refused under air, sea, or carrier dangerous-goods rules. That does not itself mean import is prohibited by law.
For goods of mainland China origin, check both the CCC code and origin-specific import rules
Goods sold under the same common name may be treated differently because of material, use, and CCC classification. MW0 means import is not permitted; MP1 means import is conditionally permitted. Never infer eligibility from the marketplace product name alone; use the current Customs Port Trade (CPT) Single Window result.
7 Major Categories of High-Risk Prohibited or Strictly Controlled Items
These 7 categories combine imports prohibited by law and goods subject to strict, product-specific control. Narcotics and e-cigarettes and their components are clear prohibitions; firearms, bladed weapons, publications, hazardous materials, and CITES goods depend on specifications, species, origin, and permits. Customs or the competent authority may detain, return, forfeit, or destroy goods under the applicable law, and potential criminal offenses may be referred for investigation.
1. Narcotics and Controlled Drugs
Cannabis, amphetamines, ecstasy, CBD products, and controlled drugs such as morphine and codeine are assessed by ingredient, concentration, prescription, and permit status. Do not rely on a CBD label alone; check the current Taiwanese ingredient thresholds and test results.
2. Firearms, Ammunition, and Weapons
Real firearms and ammunition, modified firearms, certain air guns, switchblades, stun batons, and gas-powered guns. Replica guns and toys must be made of plastic and have no firing capability.
3. Counterfeit and Infringing Goods
Counterfeit designer bags, athletic shoes, pirated books or discs, and unauthorized character merchandise. If infringement is established, the goods may be detained, returned, forfeited, or destroyed under the applicable law and authority decision.
4. Live Animals or Plants and Protected Species
Live animals, plants, seeds, soil, and animal or plant products are assessed by product, species, origin, permit, and quarantine requirements; some are prohibited while others may be imported if all conditions are met. CITES-listed goods, including certain ivory, rhinoceros horn, hawksbill shell, tiger bone, and timber products, must be assessed by appendix, source, and permit documents.
5. Counterfeit Currency and Securities
Counterfeit or altered New Taiwan dollars, foreign currency, credit cards, and securities. Possession for collecting or academic research purposes is also illegal.
6. Unauthorized Pornographic or Violent Publications
Pornographic books, periodicals, or audiovisual materials not approved under publication laws, certain types of sex toys, and publications depicting extreme violence.
7. Radioactive, Explosive, or Flammable Materials
Radioactive substances, fireworks, firecrackers, highly corrosive liquids, certain pressurized gas canisters, mercury thermometers, and hazardous chemicals.
⚠️ In addition, under Article 15 of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, e-cigarettes (classified as tobacco-like products) and their component parts may not be manufactured, imported, or sold. Heated tobacco products that have not passed the required health risk assessment are likewise prohibited from import. See Why E-Cigarettes Are Prohibited from Import into Taiwan.
5 Major Categories Subject to Quantity Limits or Inspection
A. Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, and Dietary Supplements (TFDA F Codes)
Prescription drugs require a copy of the physician's prescription; without a prescription the limit is a 2-month supply, and with a prescription the limit is a 6-month supply. Dietary supplements, over-the-counter drugs, and contact lenses, which are medical devices, may require TFDA authorization. The applicable import regulation codes are generally F01 / F02 / F03, administered by TFDA.
General personal-use inspection-exemption rule: For pharmaceuticals and tablet or capsule dietary supplements, the limit is "12 bottles (boxes or containers) of each type, with no more than 36 bottles in total." Quantities exceeding this limit or shipments of a commercial nature require the applicable inspection or registration procedures. Ministry of Health and Welfare announcements also require prior approval for pharmaceuticals, including traditional Chinese medicines, entering Taiwan by post or delivery, with a limit of 2 shipments per year. Refer to current TFDA announcements for the exact quantities.
B. Food, Fresh Produce, and Meat
Whether meat, meat products, seafood, live aquatic animals, or other animal and plant products may be imported depends on the product, processing method, origin and disease status, and applicable permit or quarantine conditions. Some origins or products are prohibited; these categories are not universally banned.
Personal-use exemption from applying for TFDA food import inspection: each declaration item must be valued at no more than US$1,000 and have a net weight of no more than 6 kg. Both conditions must be met. This exemption does not waive animal or plant quarantine, tax, or any prohibition or restriction.
C. Cosmetics and Skincare Products
Cosmetics fall into two categories. General cosmetics may be imported without inspection or registration; items imported for personal use may not be sold or transferred for other purposes, and violations are punishable by a fine of NT$10,000 to NT$1,000,000 under the Cosmetic Hygiene and Safety Act. Specific-purpose cosmetics—sunscreen, hair dye, permanent-wave products, antiperspirants and deodorants, and tooth whitening products—are limited for personal use to 12 units (bottles, boxes, containers, packs, or bags) of each type and 36 units in total. Products containing special ingredients such as medical-aesthetic-grade acids undergo additional inspection.
→ Complete Guide to Consolidated Shipping of Cosmetics to Taiwan
D. Electronics Regulated by BSMI
Chargers, power banks, Bluetooth products, LED products, household appliances, and toys containing batteries may be subject to BSMI commodity inspection, and products without the required conformity mark may be returned; small quantities for personal use may qualify for exemption under the Regulations Governing Exemption from Commodity Inspection (see the allowance table below). Products with wireless radio-frequency functions, including Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, are also telecommunications-controlled radio-frequency devices regulated by NCC and may be imported only after approval (up to 2 units imported by post or express delivery for personal use are exempt from an approval letter; see the NCC Import Permit Guide).
→ Detailed List of Products Regulated by BSMI
E. Tobacco and Alcohol
Tobacco and alcohol are not eligible for the NT$2,000 duty exemption. The Regulations Governing Customs Clearance for Postal Parcels expressly exclude tobacco and alcohol from the exemption. Customs duty, tobacco and alcohol tax, the Tobacco Health and Welfare Surcharge, and other applicable charges are imposed upon importation.
Maximum quantities for personal use that do not require a tobacco or alcohol import business permit under the postal parcel and express cargo clearance regulations: 5 L of alcohol; 5 cartons (1,000 sticks) of cigarettes, 125 cigars, or 5 lb of cut tobacco. Importing more than these quantities requires a tobacco or alcohol import business permit from the Ministry of Finance in advance.
※ Do not confuse these limits with the duty-free allowance for travelers' accompanied baggage. The duty-free allowance for arriving travelers is 1.5 L of alcohol, 200 sticks of cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 1 lb of cut tobacco under the Regulations Governing the Declaration, Inspection, Duty, and Release of Personal Baggage or Goods of Inward Passengers. That allowance applies to goods personally carried by travelers, not consolidated shipments.
Personal-Use Inspection-Exemption Allowance Table
| Category | Personal-Use Inspection or Permit Exemption Allowance (General Rule) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Food (General) | Value of US$1,000 or less and net weight of 6 kg or less | Both conditions must be met; excludes meat and fresh produce; plant quarantine and food-safety requirements still apply |
| Dietary Supplements (Tablets or Capsules) | 12 bottles of each type, 36 bottles in total | Subject to TFDA import requirements; same consignee and same product |
| Specific-Purpose Cosmetics | 12 units (bottles, boxes, containers, packs, or bags) of each type, 36 units in total | Covers sunscreen, hair dye, permanent-wave products, antiperspirants and deodorants, and tooth whitening; general cosmetics for personal use require no inspection or registration but may not be sold or transferred for other purposes |
| Pharmaceuticals (General) | 12 bottles (boxes or containers) of each type, 36 bottles in total | Prescription drugs also require a physician's prescription; without one the limit is a 2-month supply. Prior approval is required for postal import, with a limit of 2 shipments per year |
| Tobacco (Cigarettes) | 5 cartons (1,000 sticks) | Maximum for personal-use consolidated shipments or postal parcels without an import business permit; not eligible for the NT$2,000 duty exemption, and tobacco and alcohol tax is always imposed |
| Alcohol | 5 L | Maximum for personal-use consolidated shipments or postal parcels without an import business permit; not eligible for the NT$2,000 duty exemption, and tobacco and alcohol tax is always imposed |
| Electronics Subject to Mandatory BSMI Inspection | Personal use, not for sale: total value of the same specification and model on a single declaration not exceeding US$1,000 | Personal-use items in postal parcels or travelers' baggage are directly exempt within the announced scope; exemption for the same specification and model is limited to once every 6 months (Regulations Governing Exemption from Commodity Inspection); commercial shipments require a BSMI inspection application |
※ The "12 of each type, 36 in total" figures shown above for dietary supplements, specific-purpose cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals are common practical personal-use exemption thresholds applied in TFDA import inspections. Exact quantities, eligible products, and registration requirements are governed by current TFDA announcements and the import regulations listed under the applicable CCC classification in the Customs Single Window. The tobacco and alcohol entries show the maximum quantities for postal parcels or express cargo that do not require a tobacco or alcohol import business permit: 5 L of alcohol and 5 cartons/1,000 sticks of cigarettes. These are different from the duty-free allowance for travelers' accompanied baggage, which is 1.5 L of alcohol and 200 sticks of cigarettes. Do not apply one allowance to the other.
Import Regulation Codes and Competent Authorities (Which Authority's Approval Is Required?)
When searching for a CCC classification through the HowBridge tariff search or the Taiwan Customs Administration's "Customs Single Window," the "Import Regulations" field will display a code indicating which competent authority's authorization or inspection must be obtained before the goods may be imported. The following are the codes most commonly encountered in consolidated shipping, compiled from the "Table of Import and Export Regulations and Corresponding Competent Authorities" in Issue 86 of the Chinese Customs Association Bulletin. Refer to current announcements in the Customs Single Window for the complete and authoritative meaning of each code:
| Import Regulation Code | Competent Authority | Common Examples in Consolidated Shipments |
|---|---|---|
| C01 / C02 | BSMI | Power banks, chargers, Bluetooth earphones, LED lights, toys, and household appliances subject to mandatory inspection |
| 375 | Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Ministry of Labor | Electric hand tools and other machinery used in workplaces and subject to type certification |
| B01 | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency, Ministry of Agriculture | Plants, seeds, and products containing animal or plant ingredients that require quarantine |
| F01 / F02 / F03 | TFDA | Food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical devices, and dietary supplements |
| 602 | National Communications Commission (NCC) | Mobile phones, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices, and two-way radios with wireless radio-frequency functions |
| 463 / W01 | Ministry of Finance (Tobacco and Alcohol Importation / Alcohol Inspection) | Tobacco and alcohol; quantities exceeding personal-use limits require an import business permit |
| 362 / 363 | National Police Agency, Ministry of the Interior (and, in some cases, the Ministry of National Defense) | Firearms, ammunition, knives, and police weapons, most of which are prohibited or strictly controlled |
※ The presence of a code does not mean that the item cannot be imported. It means that the applicable authorization or inspection documents must be prepared before importation. Always determine whether a permit is required and which code applies by searching the actual CCC classification in the Customs Single Window and checking the competent authority's current announcements.
5 Common Customs Handling Scenarios
Scenario 1: CBD Gummies Purchased Through a U.S. Buying Agent
Thirty CBD gummies purchased from the United States may be detained if they contain a controlled cannabis ingredient even though they are lawful at origin. Depending on composition and facts, the goods may be forfeited or destroyed and the matter may be referred for criminal investigation.
Scenario 2: Counterfeit LV Bag from Pinduoduo
If an RMB 99 "LV wallet" from Pinduoduo is determined to be counterfeit, it may be detained, forfeited, or destroyed, and the product and shipping costs may not be recoverable.
Scenario 3: Excessive Dietary Supplements Purchased Through a Japanese Buying Agent
A customer purchased 60 bottles of fish oil and 40 bottles of glucosamine from Japan for distribution among relatives. Customs determined that the shipment clearly exceeded the personal-use inspection-exemption allowance of 12 of each type and 36 bottles in total and was commercial in nature. The customer was required to complete TFDA import inspection procedures or have the entire shipment returned at the customer's expense.
Scenario 4: Gift Box of Ready-to-Eat Chicken Breast from Mainland China
A 10-pack, 800 g ready-to-eat chicken-breast gift box from mainland China may be detained when origin-specific poultry quarantine conditions are not met. The competent authority may order return, forfeiture, or destruction depending on the case.
Scenario 5: Pet Supplies Decorated with Ivory
A pet collar with ivory decoration from Africa may fall under CITES and wildlife-conservation controls. Without the applicable permits, it may be detained, forfeited, or destroyed, and the matter may be referred for investigation.
Lawful Alternatives
Want Japanese Wagyu or Pork from Mainland China?
Whether meat or poultry products may be imported depends on the product, processing method, origin, disease status, and veterinary documents. Buying through regulated retail channels in Taiwan reduces private-import and quarantine risk.
Want an Authentic Designer Bag?
Avoid counterfeits from Pinduoduo or Taobao. Instead, use: ① department-store boutiques in Taiwan, the safest option; ② sea shipping from Japanese duty-free stores with the original invoice; or ③ secondhand luxury platforms such as Vestiaire Collective that provide authentication certificates
Want American or Japanese Dietary Supplements?
Before dispatch, check the product category, dosage form, ingredients, and applicable TFDA thresholds. Splitting shipments does not guarantee personal-use status, and repeated imports may be treated as artificial splitting. Buying through regulated retail channels in Taiwan reduces risk.
Want to Consolidate-Ship Large Quantities of Cosmetics?
General cosmetics for personal use normally do not require import inspection registration, but they may not be sold or supplied to others. A common threshold for specific-purpose cosmetics is 12 units of each type and 36 units in total; excess quantities or commercial imports must follow current TFDA requirements. See the Complete Guide to Consolidated Shipping of Cosmetics to Taiwan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Items Taobao Cannot Ship to Taiwan
Related Articles
Complete Guide to Customs Declaration in Taiwan: EZWay, Customs Single Window, and Clearance Procedures
BSMI-Regulated Product List: Avoiding Problems with Consolidated Shipping of Power Banks, Bluetooth Products, and LED Products
Complete Guide to Consolidated Shipping of Cosmetics to Taiwan
Complete Guide to Taiwan Tariff Searches
Complete EZWay Guide
Complete Guide to Taobao Consolidated Shipping to Taiwan
Legal Basis and Authoritative References
The legal basis for confiscation, duty-exemption allowances, and permit review codes described on this page has been compiled from the following current laws, regulations, and official materials. Individual cases are governed by the competent authorities' current announcements and the search results provided by the Taiwan Customs Administration's "Customs Single Window."
- Customs list of prohibited and restricted articles: Taiwan Customs Administration, Prohibited and Restricted Articles
- Legal basis for confiscation and penalties: Articles 36, 37, and 38 of the Customs Anti-Smuggling Act. Article 36 provides for confiscation of smuggled goods. Article 37 covers false declarations of product names, quantities, or quality; submission of false supporting documents; and evasion of controls, with a fine of up to 5 times the evaded import duty or confiscation of the goods. Article 38 permits confiscation where postal parcels are not correctly declared and involve smuggling or evasion of controls.
- NT$2,000 duty exemption, excluding tobacco, alcohol, and agricultural products subject to tariff quotas: Article 7 of the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance for Postal Parcels and Article 11 of the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance Procedures for Air Express Consignments (amended February, ROC Year 115)
- Mainland Chinese goods and MW0/MP1 controls: International Trade Administration (TITA), Import and Export Regulations Query. Use the CCC classification and regulation code; MW0 means import is not permitted and MP1 means conditionally permitted.
- General rules for duty-exempt imports: Article 49 of the Customs Act
- Quantity limits for pharmaceuticals sent by post: Ministry of Health and Welfare announcement—pharmaceuticals, including traditional Chinese medicines, sent into Taiwan are subject to quantity limits, may be imported no more than 2 times per year, and require prior approval, effective July 1, ROC Year 104.
- Animal and plant quarantine requirements: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA), quarantine information for incoming products. Requirements depend on the product, species, and origin.
- Import Regulation Codes and competent authorities: use the official CPT Single Window to query the current code attached to the actual CCC classification. Academic or association publications provide background only and do not replace the current official result.
- Prohibition on importing e-cigarettes and unapproved heated-tobacco products: Article 15 of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act (tobacco-like products and their components are prohibited; designated tobacco products are prohibited only if they have not received the required approval)
- Inspection exemption for personal-use goods (products subject to mandatory BSMI inspection): Regulations Governing Exemption from Commodity Inspection, Article 5 (total value of the same specification and model on a single declaration not exceeding US$1,000), Article 6 (personal-use items in postal parcels or travelers' baggage are directly exempt within the announced scope), and Article 8 (exemption for the same specification and model is limited to once every 6 months)
- Conditions for exemption from import inspection for personal-use food (value of US$1,000 or less and net weight of 6 kg or less): exemption conditions established under Article 30 of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation; Ministry of Health and Welfare, Food Carried In or Ordered by Mail from Abroad Requires Inspection
- Personal-use quantity limits for specific-purpose cosmetics (12 units of each type, 36 units in total) and for personal-use medicines: Kaohsiung Customs, Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance, Personal-Use Medicines, Cosmetics, and Medical Devices (updated August, ROC Year 115)
- Personal-use import thresholds for telecommunications-controlled radio-frequency devices (2 units by post and 5 units for travelers are exempt from approval): Article 18 of the Regulations Governing Telecommunications-Controlled Radio-Frequency Devices; Taipei Customs, Regulations on Travelers Carrying Mobile Phones, Tablets, or Telecommunications Radio-Frequency Terminal Equipment
Last verification update: 2026-08-24 (laws and competent-authority pages reviewed article by article; previous fact-checking baseline: 2026-06-03). This information is provided solely as a reference for pre-shipment checks and does not constitute legal advice. Individual cases are subject to determinations by customs and the competent authorities.
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