Taiwan Custom and Regulations

These are some of the Taiwan custom regulation that you might want to take note of.

Currency

Travelers are allowed to bring in any amount of currency into Taiwan.
If the amount exceeds the value of US$10000 or NT$60000, traveler will be required to declare at the customs office. Any undeclared currency will be confiscated.

Alcohol and Cigarettes
– Passenger must be 21 years old and above.
– Alcohol quantity must not exceed 1 litre.
– Cigarette quantity must not exceed 200 sticks or 25 sticks of Cigars or 1 pound of tobacco.

Quarantine for Animals, Plants and Marine Products
Fresh Fruits, Seafood and Meat are not prohibited to be brought into Taiwan.
Passengers carrying animals and agricultural products into Taiwan should go to the quarantine counters to declare and follow the quarantine procedure.

EasyCard (YoYo card)

EasyCard (YoYo card) 悠遊卡 is a ‘touch-and-go’ IC ticketing system for the Taipei Metro, bus services, designated car parks, stores and government agencies. With a tap over the sensor area, you can ride the metro or borrow a book. It’s hassle-free! Purchasing new cards are not a needed as you can add and store the value in your EasyCard. You will be able to enjoy 20% off each journey around Taiwan instead of paying the full fare with getting Single-Journey Token. With one EasyCard, you can travel throughout Taiwan.

Official Website
http://www.easycard.com.tw

Type of EasyCard

Notes:-

1. The card is not registered under the buyer’s name and no compensation will be provided in case of loss.
2. Additional value cannot be added onto this card, and it does not include a deposit.
3. If the card has been used or damaged, it cannot be returned for a refund.
4. If the card is unused, undamaged and in original package, it can be returned within 7 days. It can be returned at any Taipei Metro station during operation hours. There is a service charge of NT$20 for processing the refund.
5. If the card cannot be detected but still appears usable and has not been intentionally damaged, it can be exchanged for a new card at any Taipei Metro station during operation hours. A new card obtained in this way cannot be returned for a refunded.

Where to buy?

EasyCard is available via the following outlet:-

• Taiwan Airport (Electronic Stored Value Card Service)
• Taiwan Metro Station
• Convenience Stores (7-11, Family Mart, OK Mart and Hi-Life)

Where to Top Up?

You can top up your EasyCard via the following outlet:-

• Taiwan Metro Station
• Convenience Stores (7-11, Family Mart, OK Mart and Hi-Life)

How to get refund?

A refund can only be obtained on the return of the card. EasyCard can be returned for a refund at the Information Counter of any Taipei Metro station or a EasyCard Corporation’s service center.

A handling charge of NT$20 will be levied for processing an application for refund/termination of an EasyCard. (This charge will be waived if the card has been used five times or more and has been held for more than three months; or if it is terminated within two days of purchase, has not been used, and is returned to EasyCard Corporation or one of its service centers.)

Charge for itemized transaction report

A list of the last six transactions made with an EasyCard and the balance of its disposable value can be obtained free of charge by using an EasyCard Reader.
For more extensive reports dating back up to five years, application must be made to the EasyCard Corporation.

Charges will be levied as follows:
 A search and printout of all transactions will cost NT$20 for the first page, and NT$5 for each additional page.

• Example 1: Yoyo applies for her EasyCard transaction records for the period between August 1 and August 5.
  The printout is less than one page in length so the cost is NT$20.
• Example 2: Yoyo applies for her transaction records for the period between August 1 and December 25.
  The printout is three pages long, so she must pay the basic charge of NT$20 + NT$5 for the second
  and third pages, making a total charge of NT$30.

Visa Information

Visitors to Taiwan must obtain a visa or authorization in advance, unless they come from one of the visa-exempt entry countries or countries whose nationals are eligible for visa on arrival. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months (except the citizens of Japan who can hold a passport valid for 3 months, and citizens of United States who are only required to hold a passport valid for the entire duration of stay).

The following content is extracted from Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website.
Last updated on: 11th Feb 2017

Prepaid Sim Card / Wifi Router

Prepaid Sim Card is easily available in Taiwan. It’s sold at the Airport, Convenient Stores and Taiwan Telecom Shop. We would recommend you to get your Prepaid Sim Card or Wifi Router upon arrival at the airport as convenient stores do ran out of sim card due to the high volume of travelers flying to Taiwan.

Here’s the price plan for the Sim Card and Wifi Router:

Currency

The unit of currency for Taiwan is New Taiwan Dollar (NT$).
There are 5 denominations for Paper Notes and 5 denomination for Coins.
For Paper Notes it come with NT$2000/1000/500/200/100 denomination.
For Coins it come with NT$50/20/10/5/1 denomination.

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at Government-designated Banks, Departmental Mall and Hotels. Bank of Taiwan have setup a 24 hour Money Exchange in Terminal 1 and 2 of Taoyuan Airport.

Here’s the list of Bank in Taipei

ATM

ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) are widely available in Taiwan. It’s scattered throughout Department Stores, Convenience Stores, MRT and Train Stations, Airports, etc. Majority of ATMs in Taiwan accept international cards, some ATMs accept only local cards, so be sure to check the ATM for stickers (VISA, PLUS, CIRRUS, etc.) before you make your withdrawal. Do remember to call up your local card company to activate your card to allow oversea withdrawal. Some bank charge a small processing fee of NT$100 for each withdrawal transaction. It will be good to make a calculation of how much cash you will require to avoid paying multiple processing fee.

Free WIFI

Taiwan Free Wifi

Taiwan was one of the first few country that provide free access to wireless internet to international travelers. You can enjoy free internet access up to 90 days during your stay in Taiwan. We have compiled two most commonly used Taiwan Free Wifi (iTaiwan Wifi or Taipei-Free) among travelers. Click on the links below for more information on how you can register for the Free Wifi!

iTaiwan

The Taiwan government-backed free “iTaiwan” wireless network was launched back in 2011, and has about 4,400 hotspots in major tourist spots, transportation hubs, cultural establishments and government offices all over the island country.

Click here for iTaiwan registration

Taipei-Free

Taipei Free Public Wi-Fi Access is offering “Registration of oversea mobile phone accounts” service as of today. This service is open for the registration of mobile phone numbers according to a “Real-name authentication system” (such as double-card authentication, real-name system); including visitors from the following countries (regions) (please refer to the following table for the details).

Click here for Taipei-Free registration

Emergency Useful Numbers

Public Holidays

Before you make a trip to any country, it will be good to know the public holiday and festive season for that country. You can plan your itinerary to avoid the traffic jams and save time during your journey.

Public Holidays for the Year 2018

International Driving Permit

The International Driving Permit (IDP) is recognized worldwide as a valuable document identifying motorists as legally-licensed drivers.
Foreigner who would want to drive in Taiwan will have to apply for a International Driving Permit in their home country.

Tax Refund

Foreign Traveler will be able to have 5% Tax Refund while shopping in Taiwan.

Criteria for Tax Refund
– Stay no more than 183 days from the date of arrival.
– Non Taiwanese or R.O.C Passport.
– Purchase goods will have to be brought out of Taiwan within 90 days from the date of purchase.

Are you able to have Tax Refund anywhere?

Not all places will have Tax Refund so do check with the store before you make your purchase. Most departmental store will be able to have tax refund with a minimum purchase amount.

Where to claim your Tax Refund?

Do request for a VAT refund form and have your passport ready when making your purchase. Usually the sales person will fill up the form for you and you can have your refund at the Tax Refund Service Counter in the Departmental Store or Airport.

Leaving the country with Tax free goods

On the day of departure from Taiwan, before checking in your luggage, you will have to bring your VAT refund form to the E-VAT refund machine or Tax Refund Service Counter, to prove your foreign identity and check the Tax refundable receipts. The Tax refund system will instruct you if the goods are require to be examined by the Customs.

Travel Packing List

Necessity

• Passport/Visa (Make sure passport is not expired and more than 6 month of your departure date)
• Cash
• Credit Card
• Personal ID (Driving license or ID Card)
• Emergency Contacts and Address
• Transport, Hotel Itineraries
• Travel Insurance
• Mobile Phone

Personal Carry Bag

• Prescriptions in original packaging (Medicine)
• Hand sanitizer or wet wipes
• Mobile phone, charging cable and portable charger, selfie stick
• Travel Power Adapter
• Camera
• Sunglasses/Contact Lens
• Contact Lens Solution
• Headphones
• Travel pillow, blanket, eye mask, and ear plugs
• Books and magazines
• Games
• Pen
• Chopsticks and Spoon (Recommend for ECO friendly and personal hygine)
• Laptop or Tablet
• Watch
• Wifi router or Prepaid Sim Card
• Attraction Tickets (If you purchase early or from travel agency)

Main Bag

• Clothings (Depending on weather)
• The Toiletry Bag Basics
• Travel Health First Aid
• Locks

Power Plug and Socket

In Taiwan, the Power Socket are Type A and Type B. The standard voltage is 110V and the standard frequency is 60Hz.

A travel adapter is recommended if your country power socket is of different type.

 

Taiwan Travel Mobile App

Here is a list of ‘good to have’ Travel Mobile Application for your trip to Taiwan

Go! Taipei Metro – Free

Go! Taipei Metro (Android)
Go! Taipei Metro (IOS)

Google Map – Free

Google Map (Android)
Google Map (IOS)

Google Translate – Free

Google Translate (Android)
Google Translate (IOS)

XE Currency – Free

XE Currency (Android)
XE Currency (IOS)

Goodie Bag

In a bid to promote Taiwan as an ideal vacation destination, Taiwan Tourism Bureau actively set up branch offices (Taiwan Visitors Association) in certain countries equipped with brochures of attractions, contacts for private hired drivers, location maps, provide assistance in travel planning and all other things necessary to make travel planning a breeze.
The very one good reason why you should visit the Taiwan Visitors Association is because Taiwanese government understands the cost involved in travelling and are keen to offset some of your expenses by providing some essentials for your trip. Redeem your share of essentials at the Taiwan Visitors Association with your ticket booking and hotel reservation today. Some previous giveaways include Easycard, Airport Bus tickets, Museum / Theme Parks or Fruit Farms and other Places of Interest Entrance Vouchers, Pineapple Tart Vouchers and the likes of it.

Do make a call to check availability of giveaways before making a trip down to Taiwan Visitors Association.
In order to be eligible for the redemption, you will have to bring along your proof of Air Ticket confirmation and minimum 1 night of accommodation.