Consumers are
loyal to brands. The leading brands dominate the market completely
(especially in agri-food). However, the Taiwanese are very attentive to
prices; a brand or a store which put its prices up would lose customers
immediately. Food purchases are made as and when needed, and national
and Japanese products are the most frequently bought.
Consumer Profile and Purchasing Power
The Taiwanese consumer is also keen on new products especially in the high-tech sector.
Hypermarkets have become very widespread over the last few years as
have local shops. There are also very many department stores. At the
present time the market is saturated.
Market Shares
The
main group is Carrefour with about 40 hypermarkets, then comes Géant
(about 12 stores), RT Mart Auchan (3 stores) and Costco (3 stores). 7
eleven dominates the local shop market with about 3 000 stores offering
many different services and open 24/24.
In addition to the WTO, Taiwan is a member of the Asian Development Bank as "Taipei, China" and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum as "Chinese Taipei". These developments reflect Taiwan's economic importance and its desire to become further integrated into the global economy. Taiwan and China have signed in 2010 an Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement which plans to facilitate trade between the two "partners" in organizing the progressive reduction of tariffs on hundreds of goods and facilitating the opening of some service industries.
Non Tariff Barriers
A very open country, with very low Customs duties. However, many
Chinese products are prohibited (especially foodstuffs). Some
agricultural products are protected, but this is limited as Taiwan is
part of the WTO.
Customs Duties and Taxes on Imports
The duties payable on imported goods are essentially defined on an ad valorem, specific, or selective basis, depending on the items involved. At present the average nominal tariff rate is 8.25% and the average effective rate is 3.25%.
Customs Classification
The Taiwanese tariffs are based on the Nomenclature of the Harmonized system of Name and Codification of Goods. More information on the taiwanese custom's website.
Import Procedures
The Customs
levies duties on import goods in accordance with Customs Laws, Customs
Import Tariff and other relevant regulations. Under the automated
Customs system, cargo clearance is categorized into three types, namely
C1 (free of paper and cargo examination), C2 (subject to document
scrutiny) and C3 (subject to document scrutiny and cargo examination).
Please consult the website Fedex for more information.
Importing Samples
Beer
and liquor samples must follow liquor requirements if over 5 liters.
Splitting a shipment to avoid duty/tax is prohibited. Contact Ministry
of Finance for Import Business License. Cosmetic samples containing
poisonous or potent medicines require an approval letter from the
Department of Health.
Taiwan: Selling and Buying
