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Exporting electrical and electronic products from Taiwan

Electronics leaving Taiwan need an export permit from TITA only if they are strategic high-tech commodities (SHTC) or otherwise on the export restriction list. SHTC permits rest on an import certificate or end-use assurance from the destination. Otherwise the exporter registers with TITA, declares the goods to Customs and marks their origin.

Updated · Each section links to the official source it comes from

Export control
Strategic high-tech commodities (SHTC), under TITA
SHTC permit
Valid six months; two years in some cases
End use
Declared truthfully, with a certificate or assurance
Exporter
Registered with TITA
Origin marking
"Made in Taiwan" or an equivalent
Duty drawback
On imported materials, within 18 months

Before the goods leave

The questions to answer, in the order they usually come up.

  1. 1Is the product, or a part of it, a strategic high-tech commodity? Read more
  2. 2If so, is there an import certificate or end-use assurance for the export permit? Read more
  3. 3Is the exporter registered with TITA, and is the declaration ready? Read more
  4. 4Has BSMI designated the goods or destination for export inspection? Read more
  5. 5Is the product marked with its origin, and does the buyer need a certificate of origin? Read more

The rules, by area

What each area covers, the texts that set it, and what the official pages say.

Strategic high-tech commodity export control

Taiwan's export licensing for strategic high-tech commodities, including dual-use goods.

  • Strategic high-tech commodities may not be exported without authorisation, and the intended use and end user must be truthfully declared (Foreign Trade Act, Article 13).
  • The competent authority, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, announces the categories of SHTC and the regulated areas in the government gazette and on its website (Article 13).
  • The exporter applies to TITA for an export permit, valid six months for multiple shipments; two years for countries in the Wassenaar Arrangement, MTCR, NSG and Australia Group, or for regular shipments to the same importer (SHTC Regulations, Article 15).
  • The application includes an International Import Certificate, a Certificate of End Uses or a Written Assurance from the importing government, or a written end-use assurance from the importer or end user (Article 16).
  • Exporters with an Internal Compliance Program recognised by TITA can apply for a three-year permit covering several countries and buyers (Article 15-1).
  • After export, the exporter closes the case with the issuing authority within one month (Article 19).
  • SHTC export permits are applied for through TITA's Electronic Licensing System for Export/Import of Commodities.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the SHTC permit, the end-use documents and the case closure with each shipment, and shows a permit or end-use certificate near its expiry. Ask about this

Exporter registration and the export declaration

Who may export, when an export permit is needed, and what goes to Customs.

  • A company or business registered with the International Trade Administration (TITA, formerly the Bureau of Foreign Trade) as an exporter/importer may engage in export business; its English name is reviewed first (Foreign Trade Act, Article 9).
  • Registration is applied for electronically; TITA publishes the registration data online and transmits it automatically to Customs.
  • A registered firm exporting goods not on the List of Commodities Subject to Export Restriction needs no export permit; listed goods follow the regulations on that list (Regulations Governing Export of Commodities, Articles 5 and 6).
  • An export permit is valid for 30 days from licensing and cannot be extended (Article 19).
  • The exporter declares the trademark on the export declaration, or "without trademark" (Article 10).
  • Exporters declare goods to Customs before the clearance or departure of the means of transport, with the export declaration, loading list, booking note, packing list and any export permits (Customs Act, Articles 16 and 17).
  • Declarations, trade licensing, inspection and quarantine services run through the Customs-Port-Trade (CPT) Single Window, operated by the Customs Administration.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the exporter registration, any export permit and the export declaration with the shipment, dated, and shows a permit that will lapse before the goods leave. Ask about this

Commodity inspection and duty drawback

How BSMI inspection reaches goods for export, and the refund of duty on imported materials.

  • Goods to be exported are inspected where BSMI has designated their category, item or destination by public notice (Commodity Inspection Act, Article 3).
  • Goods subject to inspection that do not conform may not be exported (Article 6).
  • For goods made in Taiwan, the manufacturer or exporter files the inspection application (Article 8).
  • Goods imported or made in Taiwan to be exported after further processing or assembly may be exempted from inspection, as may commercial samples and exhibition goods (Article 9).
  • Where an exported commodity's specifications differ from the official standards, it may be inspected to the standards agreed by buyer and seller, with the trade authority's prior approval (Article 10).
  • Customs duty paid on imported raw materials used in export products is refundable after export; the manufacturer applies within one year and six months of the materials' release (Customs Act, Article 63).

How we help: Compliant Always keeps any inspection exemption or certificate and the drawback documents with the shipment, and shows a drawback claim nearing its deadline. Ask about this

Origin marking and certificates of origin

How goods for export are marked with their origin, and how a certificate of origin is issued.

  • Goods for export are marked with the country of origin on the goods or their packaging, conspicuously and durably; goods made in Taiwan are marked "Made in Taiwan", "Made in Taiwan, Republic of China" or an equivalent (Regulations Governing Export of Commodities, Articles 14 and 15).
  • TITA, or a body it entrusts, issues certificates of origin and certificates of processing for exports (Foreign Trade Act, Article 20-2).
  • Goods originate in Taiwan if wholly obtained there, or if the last substantial transformation happened there: a change in the first six digits of the tariff number, or added value above 35% (Certificates of Origin Regulations, Articles 3 and 5).
  • Packing, re-labelling, simple assembly or mixing, and simple cutting do not count as substantial transformation (Article 5).
  • The applicant is the exporter on the export declaration, normally within 180 days after Customs releases the goods; the fee is NT$250 per certificate (Articles 11, 23 and 29).
  • The applicant keeps the documents proving origin for five years (Article 28).
  • Customs publishes the rules of origin for Taiwan's agreements, including ECFA, ANZTEC with New Zealand, ASTEP with Singapore, and the agreements with Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras, Paraguay and Eswatini.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the origin evidence behind each certificate with the lot, dated, and shows a certificate request coming up against its 180-day window. Ask about this

Who answers for what

WhoWhat they answer forHow we help
ExporterRegistration with TITA, the export declaration, any export permit, and the certificate of origin application.Registration, permits and certificates kept with each shipment, dated.
ManufacturerTechnical data for classifying the product against the SHTC lists, and any BSMI inspection application for goods made in Taiwan.Specifications and classification notes kept with each product.
Customs broker or freight forwarderLodging the export declaration and its documents through the CPT Single Window on the exporter's behalf.The documents the declaration needs, in one place before the goods leave.
Certifying authorityTITA for SHTC export permits and certificates of origin; BSMI for designated export inspection.Each permit and certificate kept beside the shipment it covers.

Where are the goods going?

Most of what electrical and electronic products have to meet is set where they are sold. Each guide sets out the rules on arrival, with the official source for each.

Questions businesses ask

Do I need an export licence for electronics from Taiwan?
Only if the goods are strategic high-tech commodities or otherwise on TITA's List of Commodities Subject to Export Restriction. SHTC need an export permit from TITA before export.
What are strategic high-tech commodities in Taiwan?
Goods controlled under Article 13 of the Foreign Trade Act for national security and to implement international cooperation and agreements. The Ministry of Economic Affairs announces their categories and the regulated areas in the government gazette and on its website.
How long is an SHTC export permit valid?
Six months, for multiple shipments. Two years for exports to countries in all four regimes (Wassenaar, MTCR, NSG, Australia Group) or for regular shipments to the same importer, and three years for recognised ICP exporters.
What documents does an SHTC export permit need?
The application, an International Import Certificate, Certificate of End Uses or Written Assurance from the importing government, or a written end-use assurance from the importer or end user, plus the transaction documents.
Do I have to report back after an SHTC export?
Yes. Within one month of export, or of the last shipment, the exporter closes the case with the authority that issued the permit (SHTC Regulations, Article 19).
Can SHTC be transshipped through Taiwan to restricted areas?
Specifically designated SHTC bound for restricted areas may not transit, transship or be stored in bonded areas in Taiwan without TITA's authorisation (Foreign Trade Act, Article 13).
Do electronics need BSMI inspection before export?
Only where BSMI has designated the goods, or their destination, for export inspection by public notice. Goods to be exported after further processing or assembly may be exempted.
Can I get duty back on imported components in exported electronics?
Customs duty paid on imported raw materials used in export products is refundable after export, if the manufacturer applies within one year and six months of the materials' release (Customs Act, Article 63).
How must electronics exported from Taiwan be marked?
With the country of origin, conspicuously and durably. Parts supplied to foreign buyers for assembly may carry the finished product's origin with TITA's approval, but their packaging still shows Taiwan (Regulations Governing Export of Commodities, Article 15).
How does Compliant Always help with exporting from Taiwan?
Our team reads the rules for the routes you ship. Compliant Always shows which export documents apply to your product, keeps them with the shipment beside what the destination asks for, and watches the sources for changes. It shows what the requirements say and what your documents show; you decide.

Sources

Compliant Always is a product of Lettuce Labs LLC. It shows what requirements say and what your documents show. It is not legal advice, and you decide.

Tell us what you make, and we will show you the rules for it.

Name the product and the markets you sell in. We will come back to you with what applies in Taiwan and what your paperwork needs to show.

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