Taiwan Shipping Calendar: Key Holiday Closures, Customs Timelines, and EZWAY Rules for Importers

Taiwan’s shipping calendar is unique, shaped by its fast-moving customs processes, strict holiday closures, and digital-first approach to import declarations. If you’re shipping from China, knowing the rhythm of Taiwan’s logistics year—especially around major holidays and port operations—can save you days of delay and thousands in extra costs. Let’s break down what you need to plan around, when bottlenecks hit, and how to keep your supply chain moving, even when the island’s ports go quiet.

How Taiwan’s Shipping Calendar Works (Key Dates & Customs Rules)

The single biggest risk to your timing in Taiwan? Holiday shutdowns—especially Lunar New Year. But the calendar is also defined by Taiwan’s unusually fast customs process and the advance digital paperwork required for every shipment. Here’s what to expect.

Major holiday closures

Taiwan’s logistics calendar revolves around a handful of national holidays that can bring port and customs operations to a standstill. The most disruptive by far is Lunar New Year, when nearly all logistics activity halts for 5–7 days. Ports, customs, and warehouses close, and backlogs can persist for days after. If your cargo arrives just before or during this window, expect it to sit idle.

Other key holidays with operational impacts:

Holiday	Typical Dates	Impact on Shipping
Lunar New Year	Late Jan or Feb (varies)	5–7 days full shutdown
Tomb Sweeping Day	April 4–5	1 day closure, slower logistics
Dragon Boat Festival	June (varies)	1–2 days closure, delays likely
Mid-Autumn Festival	Sep/Oct (varies)	1–2 days closure, limited ops
National Day	October 10	1 day closure, customs closed

We see many importers underestimate how quickly space fills up before these holidays. For example, bookings for FCL and LCL sea freight into Kaohsiung spike weeks in advance of Lunar New Year, and air freight is often sold out 7–10 days before. Always check our cut-off times guide for the latest deadlines.

For more tips on when to book, see our Taiwan booking windows guide.

Customs clearance timelines

Taiwan is one of the fastest in Asia for customs, provided you have all documents in order and file through the EZWAY system. Standard clearance is 24–48 hours. If your shipment is flagged for inspection or you’re missing paperwork, expect 3–7 days instead.

Typical clearance times:

Scenario	Timeline
Complete docs, no issues	24–48 hours
Inspection or missing info	3–7 days

If you’re using door-to-door shipping or DDP, your forwarder should handle the customs process—but delays still hit if you’re missing a local Responsible Person or a required certification.

Advance manifest filing

Every air and sea shipment to Taiwan must be pre-declared electronically via EZWAY before arrival. If your supplier or agent files late, your cargo can’t start clearance and may be held at port. For the exact timing, see our EZWAY customs clearance guide.

What to Know About Taiwan’s VAT and Import Taxes (Tax System Overview)

Taxes are straightforward in Taiwan, but you need to know the basics to avoid surprises and to calculate your landed cost accurately.

VAT rates and exemptions

Taiwan applies a standard 5% VAT on almost all imported goods. Some goods and services qualify for a 0% rate, but this is rare for regular imports. The VAT is calculated on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value plus duties.

Tax Type	Standard Rate	Reduced/Zero Rate
VAT	5%	0% (exports, some services)

For a deeper dive on tax calculation, see our Taiwan import duties and taxes guide.

Who collects import taxes

All import VAT and duties are collected by the Taiwan Customs Administration (Ministry of Finance). Payment is typically required before your cargo is released from customs.

Legal basis for taxation

The rules are set under the Value-Added and Non-Value-Added Business Tax Act. This is the law that underpins all import VAT in Taiwan.

If you’re using DDP shipping, confirm your forwarder includes all VAT and duty in your quote. For more on cost planning, see our landed cost calculation tips.

Taiwan’s EZWAY System & Customs Clearance (Digital Declarations Explained)

Taiwan’s customs process is paperless and fast—if you use the EZWAY system correctly and meet all advance filing deadlines.

How EZWAY works

EZWAY is the official e-declaration platform for all imports. Your forwarder or customs broker must file an electronic manifest and all required documents before your shipment arrives. This includes your commercial invoice, packing list, and any product certifications.

For step-by-step instructions, see our Taiwan EZWAY customs guide.

Advance manifest filing deadlines

Advance manifest filing is mandatory for both air and sea cargo. For sea freight, manifests are typically due 24 hours before vessel arrival; for air, several hours before landing. If you miss this window, customs will not process your shipment until the filing is complete.

Mode	Advance Filing Deadline
Sea freight	24 hours pre-arrival
Air freight	Several hours pre-arrival

Clearance timelines and inspections

With all documents filed and no red flags, clearance takes 24–48 hours. If your cargo is selected for inspection, or if there’s a missing Responsible Person or certificate, expect 3–7 days.

If you’re unsure about document requirements, check our Taiwan customs clearance checklist or consult our full Taiwan shipping guide.

Product Certifications & Compliance in Taiwan (What’s Required for Imports)

Taiwan’s compliance landscape is strict, with several agencies overseeing different product categories. Missing even one required certification can mean cargo holds or forced re-export.

BSMI, NCC, and TFDA certifications

• BSMI: Covers most electrical, electronic, toy, and general consumer products.
• NCC: Responsible for radio, telecom, and wireless devices.
• TFDA: Oversees food, beverages, cosmetics, and medical devices.

For a full breakdown by product, see our Taiwan BSMI & NCC certification guide and TFDA compliance guide.

Product Type	Main Agency	Typical Timeline	Cost Range (NT$)
Electronics	BSMI	2–6 weeks	10,000–50,000
Wireless devices	NCC	2–4 weeks	8,000–30,000
Food & beverages	TFDA	2–4 weeks	5,000–20,000
Cosmetics	TFDA	2–6 weeks	10,000–30,000
Medical devices	TFDA	3–12 months	30,000–200,000+
Toys	BSMI	2–4 weeks	8,000–25,000
Chemicals	EPA	Ongoing	20,000–100,000+
Wood packaging	BAPHIQ	1–2 weeks	1,000–5,000

Timeline and cost expectations

Most certifications (except medical devices) are processed in 2–6 weeks. Plan ahead—do not ship until you have proof of certification in hand. Fees vary, but for a typical electronics import, budget at least NT$10,000–NT$50,000.

Responsible Person requirements

For regulated goods (electronics, food, cosmetics, etc.), you must appoint a local Responsible Person—usually your Taiwanese importer or agent. Without this, customs will not clear your shipment.

For more on documentation, see our Taiwan import document checklist.

Taiwan’s Pallet & Packaging Standards (ISPM-15 and Local Rules)

Taiwan enforces ISPM-15 for all wood packaging from China, and uses the US GMA pallet as its default standard. Here’s how to avoid rejections or warehouse headaches.

US GMA pallet standard

The US GMA 48x40-inch (1219x1016mm) pallet is the norm in Taiwan. While Euro or non-standard pallets are accepted, they may not fit local racking or forklifts, leading to repalletizing fees and delays. For a deep dive, see our Taiwan pallet standard guide.

ISPM-15 enforcement for wood packaging

ISPM-15 treatment (heat or fumigation, with the proper stamp) is strictly required for all wood packaging arriving from China. This is enforced by BAPHIQ at the border. Non-compliant pallets can be rejected, destroyed, or require costly on-site treatment.

Warehouse compatibility tips

• Always confirm your pallet spec with your Taiwanese consignee.
• Avoid odd pallet sizes unless you have special arrangements (e.g., bonded warehouse).
• For sensitive cargo, consider moisture protection during the humid seasons.

Key Ports, Airports, and Shipping Lanes (Taiwan’s Main Gateways)

Knowing which ports and airports serve your consignee region—and the typical transit times—will help you choose the right shipping mode and avoid unnecessary delays.

Major seaports and airports

Taiwan’s main sea gateways are Kaohsiung (south, national gateway), Taichung (central), Keelung (north, Taipei area), and Hualien (east, less frequent sailings). For air, Taoyuan International Airport is the primary hub, with Kaohsiung and Taichung airports serving regional needs.

Port/Airport	Region	Typical Transit from China
Kaohsiung (sea)	South	2–4 days
Taichung (sea)	Central	3–5 days
Keelung (sea)	North/Taipei	3–5 days
Hualien (sea)	East	5–7 days
Taoyuan Intl (air)	Taipei/National	1 day (direct)
Kaohsiung Intl (air)	South	1–2 days (via hub)
Taichung Intl (air)	Central	1–2 days (via hub)

For tailored lane options, see our best shipping lanes to Taiwan guide.

Transit times from China

Direct sea freight from Shanghai to Kaohsiung is as fast as 2–4 days. Air freight from Shanghai to Taoyuan is typically 1 day for direct flights. Plan for extra time if shipping to Hualien or via less frequent routes.

Bonded zones and free trade areas

Taiwan operates bonded warehouses and free trade zones—especially in Kaohsiung and Taoyuan. These allow you to store or process goods duty-free until released to the local market. For more, check our value-added services guide.

Avoiding Costly Mistakes When Shipping to Taiwan (Common Pitfalls)

Even experienced shippers can stumble on Taiwan’s specific rules. Here are the most common—and expensive—errors we see.

Holiday scheduling errors

Shipping during or just before Lunar New Year is the number one cause of week-long delays. Many importers forget that backlogs can persist after the official holiday ends.

ISPM-15 non-compliance

Wood packaging without the correct ISPM-15 treatment or stamp is often rejected or destroyed at the border. This is a frequent issue for LCL shipments or when using cheap pallets.

EZWAY filing mistakes

Incomplete or late advance manifest filing in EZWAY will result in your cargo being held at port or airport. Always confirm your forwarder or broker has submitted all necessary documents.

Missing Responsible Person

For regulated products, failing to appoint a local Responsible Person (or using an unregistered agent) will block customs clearance. This is especially common for first-time importers of electronics, food, or cosmetics.

Incorrect labeling or missing certifications

Taiwan requires Chinese labeling and the correct certification mark (e.g., BSMI, NCC, TFDA) on regulated goods. Non-compliant labeling or missing certificates often results in forced re-export.

For a full list of red flags, check our Taiwan import compliance guide.

Bottom line

Shipping to Taiwan is efficient—if you know the calendar and play by the rules. Always plan around major holidays, file your EZWAY manifest on time, and secure all the right certifications and Responsible Person appointments before your goods leave China. Choosing the right port or airport, and using ISPM-15 compliant pallets, will minimize delays and extra costs. For a step-by-step roadmap and help with your next shipment, see our full Taiwan shipping guide or request a tailored quote today.