In important news for travel retail, the Taiwanese government has raised the duty-free limit on personal items bought abroad from NTD20,000 (US$615) to NTD35,000 (US$1,079).
Citing an official from the Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance, local media Focus Taiwan reported that starting today (26 June), arriving passengers can receive tax exemptions on imported personal products worth NTD35,000 (US$1,079) or less.
Under the revised regulation, imported items valued at NTD35,000 (US$1,079) that have not been declared in advance are allowed to be kept, but any undeclared items will be seized.
Since November, officials have deliberated on the amount of duty-free allowance, previously valued at NTD20,000 (US$615). The amount had been in place since 1989, not taking into account the rise in inflation rates over the years. Taiwan has seen its consumer price index (CPI) grow by +70% from 1989 to 2022-23.
Data from the National Statistics website shows that CPI has increased from 101.60 to 106.92 in 2022-2023, but data for 2003 or earlier is not available.
The official said the updated regulation was decided by the Customs Administration and Taxation Administration after considering the domestic CPI and the rules of neighbouring countries.
In South Korea the duty-free allowance is US$800, while Japan’s tax-free import limit stands at 200,000 Yen (US$1,254.) ✈
