Last week, we released a helpful article for international travelers about what to bring to Taiwan. What’s the logical followup? What not to bring to Taiwan, of course. And no, we’re not talking about the items forbidden by TSA, such as explosives, weapons, and even more threatening – a tube of toothpaste over 100 ml. We hope all of that goes without saying. Instead, we’re taking a look at items that are not permitted by Customs at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport along with a few other things you may think you need, but don’t. That way you’ll have some extra room in your luggage for all of the goodies you’ll score when bargaining at a local market.
Four Things To Leave At Home When Traveling to Taiwan
1. Items Forbidden by Customs at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
Travelers are forbidden to bring the following items into the island state of Taiwan:
- Produce of any kind (fresh, dried, etc.)
- Marine products of any kind (fresh, dried, etc.)
- Unauthorized live animals. Call quarantine personnel at either (03) 398-2264 at Terminal 1 or (03) 398-3373 at Terminal 2 for information about your pet.
2. Items in Excess of What Must Be Declared to Customs at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
If permitted to shop at a Duty Free store at a gateway (to Taiwan) airport, you may be one liter of liquor and 200 pieces of cigarettes, but these items must be declared to Customs. Anything in excess, is not allowed.
You may bring in any amount of gold. However, you must declare any among to Customs officials. If the total value of the gold exceeds US$20,000, you will require an import permit which must be issued by the Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs.
You must declare and register money equal to or in excess of US$10,000 with Customs. Be sure to perform your international currency conversions beforehand and err on the side of caution. For example, if you personally calculate the value to be US$9,900 understand that conversion rates may have changed on the day of your travel and exceed the non-declaration amount. If you don’t want the hassle of declaring/registering funds, then make sure your currency does not come close to the US$10,000 amount. In addition, negotiable securities with a face value of US$10,000 or greater must be declared to Customs. Also note that are not allowed to bring in more than NT$60,000 without a Central Bank of China permit, which must be obtained in advance of your arrival date. Lastly (with respect to currency) you are not permitted to bring in over RMB$20,000.
3. Permissible Snacks
Outside of the foods described in the Custom’s forbidden items list, we suggest leaving your other snacks and foodstuffs at home. For one, they may be considered byproducts of the forbidden items, and while they may be permitted, the mere presence of them in your luggage may have you delayed at Customs longer than you prefer. But there’s a bigger reason to leave these things at home – the fact that you’re about to be in Taiwan, which offers some of the most delectable food in the world!
We know that some of you are concerned about finding food you like to eat in your first few days until you get to know the lay of the land and find directions to franchise eateries you’re familiar with. Because of this you may be tempted to stuff a carry-on with nutrition bars and other non-perishables. But honestly, you’re robbing yourself of the opportunity to explore and try exciting new foods. This all begins on the day (if not hour) of your arrival, so just pack enough to eat on the plane and leave the rest to Taiwan. In fact, we can help you with this. You can set up a custom foodie tour with a Loci Amica local guide. Provide your guide with insight into the foods you enjoy along with dietary restrictions (food allergies, etc.) and they can create a custom food tour. Contact us at info@lociamica.com to learn more.
4. Large (and Fragile) Recreational Gear
While this applies to many long trips (and thus long flights) it’s very true of Taiwan as given its offshore location you probably have to take at least one connector on your travels. The more flights the greater the risk of damage to large recreational gear. This especially applies to surfboards and other boards used for ocean activities, including body/boogie-boards and kitesurfing boards. The cost of bringing these items on most airlines flying into Taiwan are outrageous, and the risk of damage is too great. Nothing puts a damper on your surf trip (etc) like a ding in your board. The good news, is that with water sports being a very big deal in the island state, you will have access to rentals in pretty much every coastal town. Leave your boards behind and rent them here.
As far as golf clubs (the other most popular type of recreation equipment to bring) are concerned, you can also rent them from one of the many clubs in Taiwan. Course such as as Palm Lakes, Ta Shee, Miramar and Sunrise Golf and Country Club will have what you need. That said, if you want to use your own clubs, we suggest employing a shipping service instead, such as Send My Bag (see sendmybag.com) which offers golf club shipping to Taiwan.
In fact, you really don’t need to bring any recreational gear at all, no matter the shape or size. This is because when you connect to a Loci Amica local guide, they will help you uncover the best activity destinations complete with gear rental options so that you don’t have to pack a thing. Again, contact us at info@lociamica.com to learn more.
If you have any additional questions about how our local guides can help you get the most out of your Taiwan experience, Email Us!
