While mainland China is Taiwan’s primary trade partner, the country also has a strong relationship with the UK: the countries hold regular trade talks, bilateral trade reached £6.4 billion in 2012 and approximately 300 British companies currently have offices in Taiwan.
Sources: The Brookings Institution, GOV.UK
For more detailed information when trading with Taiwan, download our Taiwan Fact Sheet.
Locations: 37
Gateways into the Country: 1
Number of Service Centres: 10
DHL Delivery Zone: 8
Vehicle Fleet: 311
| Taiwan: Country Profile | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital: | Taipei | EXPORTS FROM TAIWAN | |
| Population: | 23.4 million | Exports from Taiwan: |
US$ 305.8 billion (2013 est.) |
| Area: | 35,980 sq km | Export Commodities: | Electronics, flat panels, machinery, metals, textiles, plastics, chemicals, optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments |
| Currency: | 1 New Taiwan dollar (TWD) = 100 cent | Top Export Destinations: | China, USA, Hong Kong, UK, Japan, Singapore, Germany |
| GDP: | US$ 926.4 billion (2013 est.) | IMPORTS INTO TAIWAN | |
| Time Zones: | UTC+8, no daylight savings time observed | Imports into Taiwan: |
US$ 268.5 billion (2013 est.) |
| Languages: | Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects | Import Commodities: | Electronics, machinery, crude petroleum, precision instruments, organic chemicals, metals |
| Ethnic Groups: | Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, indigenous 2% | Top Import Origins: | USA, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, Japan |
| Transit Times | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| The times provided for dutiable shipments are based on the time expected for Customs in Taiwan to clear the shipment. This is contingent upon the value of the shipment. |
Destination | Non-Dutiable Shipment | Dutiable Shipment |
| Taipei | 3 days | 3 days | |
| Guanyin | 3 days | 3 days | |
| Kaohsiung City | 3 days | 3 days | |
| Taichung City | 3 days | 3 days | |
| Sanmin | 5 days | 5 days | |
DHL can assist you with trading with Taiwan. Contact the DHL team on 0844 248 0675
DHL Customer Services is also available on 0844 248 0844
Calls to DHL UK phone numbers beginning ‘084’ cost 7 pence per minute, plus your phone company’s
TWD 3,000
Goods shipments must have invoices attached to the physical shipment upon arrival. The invoice value must be indicated at >+1 (any currency). Pro forma invoices are not accepted by Taiwan Customs.
Shipments greater than TWD 3,000: importer to provide Power of Attorney and GUI Number (Tax ID) to authorise clearance of the consignments.
Certain items will require inspection from Taiwan’s Bureau of Standards, Metrology & Inspection (BSMI).
Contact DHL Customs before importing products made in mainland China.
The list below is in addition to DHL’s standard list of prohibited items.
Alcoholic beverages
Over 5 L: obtain Licence of Wine & Tobacco. Scotch whiskey: subject to taxation and only released if a Certificate of Age and Origin for Scotch Whiskey issued by UK Customs (HMRC) is provided.
Animal products
Unprocessed: provide original quarantine certificate from country of origin. Label required on the outside of the package to say ‘ANIMAL PRODUCT’. Obtain import licence.
Fishmeal: importer to apply for inspection by Taiwan’s BSMI.
Animal skins, coffee & coffee samples, perishables, plants & plant products including tea and seeds including cotton seed
Provide original quarantine certificate from origin country and apply for import licence. Plant products: provide a label on the outside of the package stating ‘PLANT PRODUCTS’.
Audio / visual media including: audio & video cassettes, compact discs, films: 8mm, 16mm & 35mm, entertainment, promotional & training, laser discs and telecommunications equipment
Subject to inspection and censorship by Taiwan’s Government Information Office (GIO).
Credit cards (NI)
More than 5 pieces: send as goods.
Bunker oil samples (for analysis), drugs: prescription & non-prescription and medical samples
Obtain import licence/permit.
Electronic equipment including phones & modems and toys
Shipment price above US$ 1,000: obtain certificate of legal import inspection.
Wireless equipment including mobile phones: obtain import licence/permit.
Foodstuffs
Shipment value above US$ 1,000 and/or above 6 kg: receiver to provide certificate of legal import inspection. Vitamins: obtain approval from Taiwan’s National Health Administration.
Grain samples
Sender to apply for inspection with Taiwan’s BSMI.
Labels
Receiver to provide authorisation letter from of country of production.
Military equipment
Clearance handled by broker.
Mobile phones including accessories and components
Comply with Taiwan’s National Communication Commission (NCC) requirements and complete an affidavit form for approval. Without a certificate issued by NCC, only 2 units may be imported per person or company (no limits for certificate holders).
Negatives, including x-rays & films
Must be business-related and not be exposed. More than 2 pieces: send as goods.
Oil products
Provide country of origin certificate.
Textile articles including fabrics & fabric samples
Label of origin must be sewn on garment. State contents, material, colour and measurements (length & width) on invoice.
Bed clothing, towels and undergarments: sender to obtain import permission from Taiwan’s BSMI before shipment is imported to Taiwan.
Tobacco
Provide photocopy of the tobacco importer business license or an approval issued by Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance unless the reason for import is gifting, self-consumption or exhibition and the quantity does not exceed 1,000 cigarettes, 125 cigars or 5 pounds of cut tobacco.
Cigarette samples: provide original quarantine certificate from origin.
Toy guns
State contents, material, colour and measurements (length & width) on invoice.
For x-ray machines please contact DHL Customer Services before shipping.
