Countries · TW
Taiwan: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 24 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Taiwan.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
No elevated country indicator for Taiwan in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Taiwan may still be on a list.
On the sanctions lists
24 entries on the official lists name Taiwan — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 24 | 24 | — | — |
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming Taiwan recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
Taiwan: logistics and trade
High-tech and semiconductor export hub; major container transshipment hub in East Asia (Kaohsiung)
Taiwan (TW) is one of East Asia's most important high-tech and logistics hubs and, as a semiconductor export centre, critical to global supply chains. It participates in the WTO as the separate customs territory "Chinese Taipei"; customs clearance runs electronically via EDI (Trade-Van) under the Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance. Import business tax is 5 percent on the CIF value plus duty, with tariff rates ranging from 0 to 30 percent depending on the goods (trade-weighted average around 6 percent). The main gateway is the container port of Kaohsiung (around 9.2 million TEU in 2024, one of the world's largest transshipment hubs), complemented by Keelung, Taichung and the Port of Taipei, plus the air-cargo hubs Taoyuan (TPE) and Kaohsiung (KHH). On the island, National Freeways 1 and 3 and the TRA west-coast rail line connect the economic centres between Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung. Exports are dominated by semiconductors, electronics and machinery; imports by mineral fuels, intermediate goods and chemicals. The main trading partners are China/Hong Kong, the USA and Japan. The typhoon season (June-October) and earthquakes are relevant operational risks. The national currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD).
- Capital
- Taipei
- Population
- 23,400,220
- Area
- 36,197 km²
- Currency
- New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)
- Continent
- Asia
- Region
- East Asia
- Economic area
- WTO (separate customs territory "Chinese Taipei") / APEC; ECFA with China
- Religions
- Folk religion, Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Sea · Air · Road · Rail
- Current situation
- Super Typhoon Bavi forced all major ports (Kaohsiung, Keelung, Taichung, Taipei) to implement precautionary operational suspensions from 10.-12.7.2026; Kaohsiung has been open again since the evening of 11.7., ship congestion and export delays lasted several days, infrastructure damage remained limited. Geopolitical tensions in the Taiwan Strait remain a routing and insurance issue. Business Tax 5 percent unchanged. (Status 2026-07-20)
- Seasonal conditions
- Typhoon season June to October with port closures and flight cancellations; pronounced earthquake activity. Humid, sticky summers, especially in the south.
Main seaports
- Su-Ao
Su-Ao (TWSUO), Taiwan: bulk and cement port on the north-east coast, auxiliary to Keelung, little container traffic. Box gateways: Keelung, Taipei, Kaohsiung.
- Chi-Lung
Chi-Lung/Keelung (TWKEL): major north Taiwan container port, about 1.65M TEU in 2024, gateway to Taipei. Containers, general cargo, cruise; alternative Kaohsiung.
- Kao-Hsiung
Kaohsiung (TW KHH) is Taiwan's largest container port: ~8.83M TEU, seven terminals, an automated berth and a free trade zone. Alternatives: Keelung, Taichung.
- Tai-Chung Kang
Taichung (TW TXG): Taiwan's 2nd container port, ~1.7M TEU and 64.8M t/year. Grain, logs, cement, steel, free-trade zone. Alternatives: Kaohsiung, Keelung.
- Tan-Shui
Port of Taipei (TW TPE) at Bali: ~1.79M TEU, seven container berths, RoRo vehicle imports, free-trade zone. Alternatives: Keelung, Kaohsiung, Taichung.
- Hua-Lien Kang
Hua-Lien Kang (TW HUN) on Taiwan's east coast is a bulk and breakbulk port for marble, cement and minerals; for containers use Kaohsiung.
Main cargo airports
- Taiwan Taoyuan International AirportTPE
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE/RCTP) handled about 2.35 million tonnes of cargo in 2024, 62% electronics, China Airlines and EVA freighters, free trade zone.
- Kaohsiung International AirportKHH
Kaohsiung Airport (KHH): 53,443 tonnes of air cargo in 2025 (+25.4%), Cargolux freighters, sea-air via Kaohsiung port, Taiwan's no. 2 airport.
- Taichung International Airport / Ching Chuang Kang Air BaseRMQ
Taichung Airport (RMQ): passenger flights to Japan, Korea, Hong Kong & China, only marginal belly cargo – central Taiwan freight routes via Taoyuan (TPE).
- Taipei Songshan AirportTSA
Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA): downtown city airport with a domestic cargo station; international air freight for Taipei is handled at Taoyuan (TPE).
Road corridors
- National Freeway 1 (Sun Yat-sen)
- National Freeway 3 (Formosa)
- Provincial Highway 1
Rail corridors
- Taiwan Railways (TRA), West Coast main line
- Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR, passenger traffic)
Main trade lanes
- Taiwan - China / Hong Kong
- Taiwan - USA
- Taiwan - Japan
- Taiwan - ASEAN
- Taiwan - Europe
Customs and import
Customs authority Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance (MOF), R.O.C. (Taiwan)Official website ↗
- Import customs system
- Electronic customs clearance via EDI (Trade-Van); goods classification according to CCC code (HS-based). Online declaration with digital certificate, release usually within minutes.
- Export customs system
- Electronic export declaration via EDI (Trade-Van). Control of strategic high-tech goods (SHTC) by the International Trade Administration (ITA).
- Import VAT
- Business Tax (VAT) standard rate 5 percent on CIF plus duty, from goods value TWD 2'000. Import duty 0 to 30 percent, trade-weighted average around 6 percent.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- Few agreements: ECFA with China (Early Harvest, partly suspended since 2024), ANZTEC with New Zealand (2013), ASTEP with Singapore (2013), FTA with Panama/Guatemala. Certificate of origin via ITA or chamber of commerce.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Import bans and restrictions, including for weapons, drugs, endangered species (CITES) and certain agricultural and meat products, among others. Licence requirement for controlled goods.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading / air waybill
- Import declaration (customs declaration)
- if applicable, import licence or certificate of origin
Typical export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Export declaration
- Bill of lading / air waybill
- if applicable, certificate of origin or SHTC approval
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- Medium
- Customs delays
- Low to medium
- Port congestion
- Medium
- Dangerous goods relevance
- High
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- Medium
- E-commerce relevance
- High
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Mineral oils
- Electronic devices
- Machinery
- Chemicals
- Metals
Top export goods
- Semiconductors
- Electronics
- Machinery
- Optical instruments
- Chemicals
Typical cargo
- Semiconductors and electronics
- Machinery and tools
- Chemicals and plastics
- Steel and metals
- Consumer goods
Upcoming public holidays
- Constitution DayFri, 25 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
- New Year's Day / ROC Founding DayFri, 1 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
- Lunar New Year's EveFri, 5 Feb 2027 · businesses closed
- Lunar New Year (Spring Festival)Sat, 6 Feb 2027 · businesses closed
- Peace Memorial Day (228)Sun, 28 Feb 2027 · businesses closed
- Children's DaySun, 4 Apr 2027 · businesses closed
- Labour DaySat, 1 May 2027 · businesses closed
- Teachers' Day (Confucius' Birthday)Tue, 28 Sept 2027 · businesses closed
Latest logistics news
- JAL and Nippon Express Launch New 747 Cargo Route USA–Asia10 Oct 2026
New 747F service connects Los Angeles, Narita, Taipei, and Singapore. Service launch scheduled for October 3, initially operating once weekly.
- Typhoons Drive Transpacific Rates Higher – AI Hardware Bolsters Demand11 Aug 2026
Port congestion and typhoon-related delays in Asia are causing spot rates to rise significantly toward the USA. Additional demand for AI and data center technology is exacerbating the situation.
- AI Boom Drives Air Freight Demand Between Asia and the US15 Jul 2026
The expansion of AI data centers in the USA is driving increased air cargo demand from Asia. Rising spot rates and tight capacity are reshaping the air cargo market.
Logistics questions
What is the import VAT rate in Taiwan?
Business Tax (VAT) is 5 percent and is levied on CIF value plus import duty. It applies from a goods value of TWD 2'000 and is paid by the recipient at customs.
What are the import duties in Taiwan?
Customs rates range from 0 to 30 percent depending on the type of goods; the trade-weighted average is around 6 percent. Classification follows the Taiwanese CCC code based on the HS system.
Which authority is responsible for customs clearance?
The Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance (MOF) is responsible. Clearance is done electronically via the EDI system (Trade-Van); declarations can be submitted online with a digital certificate.
Which ports and airports are important for freight logistics?
The most important seaport is Kaohsiung with around 9,2 million TEU (2024), followed by Keelung, Taichung and the port of Taipei. Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) is the central air cargo hub, complemented by Kaohsiung (KHH).
Does Taiwan have free trade agreements?
Taiwan has only a few agreements: ECFA with China (partly suspended since 2024), economic agreements with New Zealand (ANZTEC) and Singapore (ASTEP), as well as free trade agreements with Panama and Guatemala. There are no agreements with Switzerland, EFTA or the EU.
Which export controls apply in Taiwan?
Strategic high-tech goods (SHTC) are subject to a licence requirement from the International Trade Administration under the Foreign Trade Act. Since December 2024, expanded controls apply to exports to Russia and Belarus.
Which logistics risks should be considered?
Geopolitical tensions in the Taiwan Strait may affect shipping and insurance costs. Natural risks are also present: the typhoon season from June to October and high earthquake activity can disrupt operations.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 20 Jul 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.