Moving to Taiwan from the US

*Updated August 2025
We can make your move to Taiwan hassle-free. Taiwan has long been a favored destination for expats, known for its quality of life, affordability, safety, and friendliness. While it was previously ranked as expats’ favorite place to live by InterNations for three consecutive years, the 2025 Expat Insider survey now places Taiwan at No. 8 out of various destinations, highlighting its strong performance in healthcare and friendly locals. As of recent data from 2023, there were over 11,000 Americans living in Taiwan, making it a significant foreign community in the country. Despite evolving rankings, Taiwan continues to attract expats due to its dynamic economy, unique culture, and welcoming environment for those moving from the USA.

At SDC International Shipping, we are your trusted partner for international household moves from the USA to Taipei and various cities. Whether it’s relocating vehicles, cars, delicate items like pianos, or precious artwork objects, we’ve got you covered. As one of the largest shipping companies in the US, we excel in managing everything from packing to import clearance paperwork and beyond. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized service to ensure your relocation is smooth and stress-free. You can contact us at 877-339-0267 or visit www.sdcinternationalshipping.com for more details.

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Moving to Taiwan Shipping Services

When you engage SDC’s services, our team of logistics experts springs into action to ensure a seamless journey for your belongings or vehicles from the starting point to your desired destination. We handle all aspects of the move, drawing on years of experience to anticipate and resolve potential issues before they arise.

Our international freight service encompasses a comprehensive range of tasks, including organizing packing, coordinating pickups, managing trucking operations, arranging road transportation to the port, and overseeing air or ocean transport. For bulky items, whether it’s a full container load (FCL) or less than container load (LCL) shipments, ocean freight is typically the preferred mode of transport as it is often less expensive than alternatives. However, if you require expedited shipping or a more secure option for valuable personal items, air freight is also available, though it tends to be more expensive. Moreover, our service extends to handling customs paperwork for both export and import processes, including duties to ensure a smooth transition. We stay updated on the latest regulations to minimize delays at customs.

Inventory List Preparation by SDC International Movers

Crafting an accurate inventory list is key to a smooth shipping experience. However, tackling this task solo can be quite a hassle. The ideal way to sidestep this challenge is to enlist the support of your mover, who can assist you with the necessary paperwork to guarantee that each item aligns with Taiwan’s customs regulations. Our experts at SDC will guide you through creating a detailed list, ensuring all descriptions are precise to avoid any customs hold-ups.

What Does the Process Look Like?

Are you wondering what the moving process looks like with SDC? Let us walk you through it:

To start things off, we’ll carefully evaluate your shipping options and tailor a solution that perfectly matches the contents of your shipment. For instance, when it comes to bulky furniture, ocean shipping often proves to be more cost-effective than air transport, allowing for larger volumes at a lower relative cost.

Next, we handle all the necessary paperwork to ensure compliance with border control regulations before your container, packed with your personal belongings or vehicle, is loaded onto a vessel in the USA. As your dedicated international mover, we also arrange international moving insurance for the container. There are a variety of insurance options to choose from, ranging from basic coverage to comprehensive plans that protect against a wide array of risks. We’ll be happy to explain the various options you can choose from to find the best fit for your needs.

If your container cannot be filled with your items entirely, we may be able to consolidate shipments with other customers’ household goods to help you save on costs, making the overall move less expensive by sharing space efficiently.

Several weeks down the line, when the container ship docks at the port in Taiwan, SDC International springs into action once more to ensure all paperwork is in order for a smooth customs clearance process. Subsequently, we arrange for the container to be delivered directly to your home address. This service offers a convenient door-to-door option, encompassing packing, pickup to the port, and delivery. Alternatively, you can opt for other delivery options like door-to-port or port-to-port. The door-to-door option is the most popular because it eliminates the hassle of having to get involved in the process at the port, providing a hands-off experience for our clients.

Items You Better Avoid Shipping to Taiwan

What items are best left off your shipping list to Taiwan? Here are some things to steer clear of:

• Skins, zoological specimens, and animal-made ornaments: These items may require special permits or be restricted due to wildlife protection laws, potentially causing delays or confiscation at customs.
• Large quantities of medicines: Importing significant amounts can trigger health regulations, and it’s often simpler to purchase medications locally upon arrival to avoid complications.
• Alcohol products like wines and liquors, which are subject to significant taxes: Additionally, obtaining permission from the Taiwan Tobacco and Wine Monopoly Bureau is necessary to import tobacco and wine, making it a cumbersome process that might not be worth the effort for personal moves.

Items Prohibited to Import to Taiwan

When sending your personal possessions to Taiwan, it’s important to be aware of the prohibited items that shouldn’t be included in your shipment. These include:

• Counterfeit coins: Any fake currency is strictly banned to protect economic integrity, and possession can lead to legal issues.
• Gambling tools: Items used for betting are prohibited to align with Taiwan’s gambling laws, preventing potential misuse.
• Pornography: Materials deemed obscene are not allowed, reflecting cultural and legal standards in the country.
• Weapons and firearms: All arms are heavily regulated, and importing without proper authorization is illegal.
• Drugs: Narcotics and controlled substances are strictly forbidden, with severe penalties for violations.
• Toy guns: Even replicas can be mistaken for real weapons, leading to confiscation at borders.
• Knives: Certain types, especially those considered weapons, are banned to ensure public safety.
• Food, trees, plants, soil, and vegetables: These can introduce pests or diseases, so agricultural items require careful scrutiny or are outright prohibited.
• Items originating from China: Due to trade restrictions, goods from mainland China are not permitted, and recent 2025 regulations have tightened bans on indirect imports of Chinese vehicles as well.
• Heated tobacco products: As of July 2025, travelers are still barred from bringing these into Taiwan, even as authorities consider conditional approvals.

What to Know About Shipping a Vehicle to Taiwan

If you’re considering bringing a car with you when moving to Taiwan from the USA, here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Only one vehicle per family can be shipped: This limit helps regulate imports and ensures that shipments are for personal use rather than commercial purposes.
• If your car’s value exceeds a certain threshold, you’ll need to secure an import permit: Higher-value vehicles require additional approvals to comply with Taiwan’s import policies.
• Expect import duty, VAT, a commodity tax, and a business tax at varying rates: These fees depend on the vehicle’s specifications, but combining shipping with household goods can sometimes make the overall process less expensive.
• Personal items cannot be included in the vehicle shipment: To avoid complications, vehicles must be shipped empty, with belongings handled separately.
• After your car clears customs in Taiwan, a testing fee will be required: This ensures the vehicle meets local safety and emissions standards before it can be registered.

At SDC International Shipping, we specialize in moving your car to Taiwan in containers along with your household goods. This integrated approach provides added protection and convenience. Contact us if you have any questions about documents or need advice on car shipping. Note that we do not offer pet shipping services, but we can direct you to specialists in that area.

Documents Required to Ship a Vehicle to Taiwan

When shipping a vehicle to Taiwan, both the USA and Taiwan customs clearance processes require specific documentation. Here’s what you’ll need to prepare:

• Bill of sale: This proves the purchase and value of the vehicle, essential for duty calculations.
• Original vehicle title: Confirms ownership and is required for export from the US and import into Taiwan.
• Power of attorney form: Authorizes SDC to handle the shipment on your behalf, streamlining the process.
• Completed online shipping application: Submits all details electronically for faster processing.
• Copy of your passport: Verifies your identity as the shipper and importer.
• Copy of the EIN letter for US citizens: Provides tax identification for customs purposes in the US.

To successfully import your car into Taiwan, it’s essential to have all the original paperwork for your vehicle ready for submission. Our team can assist in verifying and organizing these documents to prevent any delays.

Recent Immigration Updates for Expats Moving to Taiwan in 2025

As of August 2025, Taiwan has introduced several changes to its immigration procedures to enhance efficiency and attract more skilled expats. Starting October 1, 2025, all foreign visitors must complete an online Arrival Card (TWAC) in advance, replacing traditional paper forms. This digital declaration aims to speed up border clearance. Additionally, the trial visa-free entry program has been extended, allowing passport holders from eligible countries, including the US, to stay for up to 90 days without a visa. Simplified visa regulations have also been introduced for certain categories. For long-term stays, changes to the Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC) and Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) include reduced maximum period of stay requirements for applicants. We recommend checking official sources like the National Immigration Agency for the latest details and starting your application early.

Preparing for Life in Taiwan: Tips for Expats

Moving to Taiwan offers exciting opportunities, but preparation is key. Research popular expat areas like Taipei for its modern amenities or Kaohsiung for a more relaxed vibe. Learn basic Mandarin or Taiwanese to ease daily interactions, as English is not universally spoken. Taiwan’s healthcare system is world-class and affordable, but consider international insurance for comprehensive coverage. The cost of living is generally lower than in major US cities, with excellent public transport reducing the need for a car. Embrace the food scene, from night markets to bubble tea, but be mindful of typhoon season from July to October. SDC can provide additional resources and checklists via our website at www.sdcinternationalshipping.com to help you settle in smoothly.

Testimonials

Moving to Taiwan With SDC International

“I am very pleased with the service provided by Melissa and James. Melissa was very professional, always there when needed, and doing her utmost she could to help out. John also made himself available and was patient with my calls and questions. It was good service, and my shipment arrived in good condition too.” – Julia P.