Shipping to Taiwan from HK: Fees, Customs and Next-Day Parcel

Taiwan, a vibrant island economy just a short hop across the South China Sea, represents a strategic and highly attractive export market for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong. The close trade ties, cultural familiarity, and a strong demand for high-quality, Hong Kong-made products make it an ideal destination for businesses looking to expand their international reach. Beyond traditional trade, Taiwan's burgeoning e-commerce sector and tech-savvy consumer market offer immense opportunities for cross-border sellers.

This guide will examine the key considerations, processes, and logistics of exporting to Taiwan, highlighting how DHL Express can be your indispensable partner in navigating this exciting market. From understanding necessary documentation to smooth customs clearance and efficient delivery, we’ll cover everything you need to know to successfully ship from Hong Kong to Taiwan.

Shipping Costs and Delivery Times from Hong Kong to Taiwan

DHL and Hong Kong Post, as the primary shipping options, each offer different solutions to meet various needs. Understanding the details of these options can help you make informed choices based on the urgency, value, and type of your package.

DHL

DHL’s shipping service to Taiwan is known for its speed and reliability, making it ideal for users requiring efficient logistics. For example, for a 0.5 kg A4 document, DHL’s starting price is approximately HK$203, with contract or bulk rates potentially lower. Costs vary based on weight and destination, so it’s recommended to use DHL’s online tool for an estimate before shipping. 

In terms of transit time, DHL offers multiple delivery options, with DHL Express 9:00 being the fastest, typically delivering to major Taiwanese cities within 1–2 business days, perfect for urgent packages. The MyDHL+ platform provides tracking services, allowing senders to monitor package status in real time and submit documents online when needed, enhancing transparency and convenience.

DHL is particularly suitable for urgent shipments, important documents, sensitive or high-value items, and even offers Saturday pickup services to meet flexible needs. For commercial users, DHL’s B2B advantages include professional customs clearance support, Breakbulk services for consolidated customs clearance, and discounted shipping rates based on bulk agreements, effectively reducing operational costs.

DHL Express Commerce integrates with e-commerce platforms like Magento, Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, and eBay, enabling bulk order management, one-click generation of shipping and customs documents, and real-time tracking and cost estimation, providing businesses with an efficient logistics experience.

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Hongkong Post

Hong Kong Post offers options like Speedpost and airmail. For a 0.5 kg A4 document, Speedpost typically takes 1–3 business days with a starting cost of about HK$230, while airmail takes 4–7 business days with a starting cost of around HK$102. Hong Kong Post’s tracking services are relatively limited, requiring patience from senders as real-time updates are not available online. This option is suitable for non-urgent, low-value, or small-volume general items, such as daily necessities or gifts, making it a good choice for personal shipments. However, due to the lack of professional customs clearance support, there may be risks when shipping specific items, so it’s recommended for simple packages only.

Restricted or regulated items

When exporting from Hong Kong to Taiwan, certain items are restricted or controlled. Understanding these regulations can prevent packages from being detained or fined. Common restricted categories include food, health supplements, cosmetics, lithium batteries, and pharmaceuticals, which may require additional inspection certificates or import permits. It’s essential to verify these requirements before shipping.

Taiwan’s customs authorities strictly regulate controlled items. For instance, food requires inspection certificates and complete ingredient labeling, subject to inspection by the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA). Health supplements and cosmetics need TFDA approval. Lithium batteries, classified as dangerous goods, must comply with International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations for air transport, and pharmaceuticals require import permits. 

It’s advisable to check the latest restricted item list with Taiwan’s Customs Administration or DHL Express before shipping to ensure a smooth process.

Sending Electronic Products

Most electronic products can be shipped to Taiwan, but those containing lithium batteries must adhere to strict air transport regulations, which may affect costs and transit times. Senders need to provide proof of purchase or electronic invoices, along with a detailed packing list specifying item names, quantities, and values. Sometimes, invoices and warranty cards are required to facilitate customs clearance.

For customs purposes, Taiwan offers a duty-free allowance of NT$2,000 (approximately HK$500) for imports. Amounts exceeding this are subject to duties and business taxes based on the item category, so it’s wise to calculate the total value in advance. To prevent damage during transport, use anti-static bags for electronic products, pack them in sturdy cardboard boxes with cushioning materials, and clearly label the package with “Fragile” and “This Side Up” to ensure safe delivery.

Sending Food or Agricultural Products

To prevent diseases and protect local agriculture, Taiwan imposes strict import restrictions on food and agricultural products. Fresh fruits, vegetables, live plants, animals, and their products are completely prohibited. 

Meat products like jerky, floss, or sausages are banned due to African swine fever prevention, though canned or high-temperature-processed pork fat products are allowed. Dairy products must be commercially packaged long-life milk or milk powder; fresh milk is not permitted. Plant seeds, rice, roasted peanuts, roasted garlic, dried daylilies, dried mushrooms, and tea are limited to 1 kg per category. 

Acceptable items include non-meat snacks, biscuits, instant noodles (without meat), packaged dried fruits (without seeds), pickled foods (non-fresh), and processed or canned seafood. Before shipping, carefully check product labels and ingredients to ensure compliance with quantity restrictions and avoid customs detention.

Customs clearance and duties in Taiwan

Understanding customs clearance procedures and import duties in Taiwan is key to avoiding unexpected costs and delays.

Taiwan personal parcel duty-free allowance

Taiwan offers a duty-free allowance for personal packages with a total value (including item cost, international shipping, and insurance) up to NT$2,000 (approximately HK$500), exempting them from customs duties and business taxes, which is highly beneficial for small shipments. 

However, amounts exceeding this threshold are subject to taxes based on the item category, so it’s advisable to estimate total costs beforehand. Additionally, each person is entitled to six duty-free shipments per half-year (January–June and July–December). From the seventh shipment onward, taxes apply even if the value is below the threshold, to prevent tax evasion through frequent shipments. 

Note that special items like tobacco, alcohol, and quota-restricted agricultural products are not eligible for duty-free status, so confirm regulations before shipping to avoid unexpected costs.

Import duties and taxes

Taiwan calculates customs duties based on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value of the imported goods. The duty rates vary widely depending on the product's HS code and origin. In addition to customs duties, a 5% Value-Added Tax (VAT) is applied to most goods imported into Taiwan. This import tax in Taiwan is usually calculated on the sum of the CIF value and the customs duty.

To estimate these costs accurately, shippers can make use of MyGTS (My Global Trade Services), an online platform by DHL Express which you can use to get estimated duty and tax information for your shipments. To enhance the customer experience, DHL Express also offers a convenient pre-paid duties and taxes feature. This means the sender can choose to pay the import duties and VAT upfront, ensuring that the recipient in Taiwan does not incur unexpected charges upon delivery, which can significantly improve customer satisfaction.

Business registration and export permits

For most consumer goods, Hong Kong exporters typically do not require special export permits when shipping goods to Taiwan. Hong Kong maintains a free trade policy, which simplifies the export and import process. However, the type of product you are shipping can significantly influence the requirements. For instance, categories like cosmetics, food supplements, pharmaceuticals, and certain electronics may require additional paperwork, certifications, or even specific import licenses from the Taiwanese authorities. It is always advisable to check the latest regulations for your specific product category.

Commercial invoices and documentation

Accurate and complete documentation is the backbone of successful international shipping. When you ship to Taiwan, you will typically need:

Commercial shipping invoice: This important document details the transaction, including the seller and buyer information, a clear description of the goods, quantity, unit price, total value, currency, and Harmonized System (HS) codes.

Packing list: This lists the contents of each package within your shipment, including dimensions and weight.

Airway bill (AWB) / Bill of lading (BOL): This is a contract of carriage between the shipper and the carrier, providing details about the shipment and serving as a receipt for the goods.

DHL Express understands the complexities of international documentation and can provide assistance with preparing these essential forms, helping you avoid potential delays.

Labelling and packaging requirements

Taiwan has specific product labelling rules that exporters must adhere to. Most notably, product labels must generally be in traditional Chinese characters. Key information such as product name, ingredients (if applicable), net content, manufacturer/importer details, and country of origin should be clearly displayed. For food products, nutritional information and expiry dates are also mandatory.

Beyond labelling, protective packaging is vital, especially for fragile items like electronics and perishables. Robust international shipping practices, including adequate cushioning, sturdy outer boxes, and tamper-proof sealing, are crucial to ensure your goods arrive in pristine condition.

International trends for packaging are also moving towards more sustainable packaging with reusable and biodegradable materials together with a “less is more” approach.

How to ship from Hong Kong to Taiwan with DHL Express

Partnering with DHL Express for your international shipping needs makes shipping to Taiwan significantly simpler and more reliable.

Express delivery timelines

DHL Express is recognized for its speed and efficiency. Standard delivery time for shipments from Hong Kong to Taiwan is typically 1-2 working days. This rapid transit time is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction, especially in fast-paced e-commerce environments, and for preserving the integrity of time-sensitive goods. Timely delivery builds customer trust and enhances your brand's reputation.

DHL’s cross-border shipping tools

MyDHL+ is your go-to online platform for managing all your shipments. It allows for seamless shipment creation, customs documentation preparation, and real-time tracking of your parcels. Once your goods ship from Hong Kong to Taiwan, you can monitor their journey every step of the way. Additionally, DHL’s On-Demand Delivery service offers Taiwan-based customers flexible delivery options, such as rescheduling delivery, leaving the shipment with a neighbor, or picking it up from a service point, catering to their convenience.

Customs expertise and local delivery network

DHL Express boasts extensive customs expertise, helping to ensure smooth customs clearance in Taiwan. Our dedicated teams are well-versed in local regulations, minimizing delays and ensuring compliance. Furthermore, our robust local delivery network across Taiwan guarantees reliable door-to-door, contactless delivery, even to remote areas. This comprehensive service means your customers receive their orders efficiently and securely.

Start exporting to Taiwan with DHL Express

Taiwan represents a high-potential market for Hong Kong exporters, offering a blend of cultural familiarity, robust trade ties, and a growing appetite for cross-border e-commerce. With the right preparation and the support of a reliable logistics partner, exporting to Taiwan can be a simple and highly scalable endeavor for your business.