25 November, 2017
The duty exemption threshold for imported goods which the Ministry of Finance set according to the Customs Act has been NT$3,000.
The recent growth of online shopping, however, has resulted in unfair competition against the domestic merchants since the goods purchased on foreign websites and imported into Taiwan at prices below the exemption threshold are duty free, while domestic retail goods are subject to business tax and commodity tax.
The MOF has therefore decided to lower said duty exemption threshold in a hope to obviate unfair competition against domestic businesses.
The new threshold applies to imported goods other than tobacco, liquor and certain agricultural products, and will come into effect on January 1, 2018.
For further information, please contact:
C. Y. Huang, Partner, Tsar & Tsai Law Firm
CYHuang@TsarTsai.com.tw