What are procedures when importing a foreign food into Taiwan?
We provide TFDA food RA services to help you import foreign food into Taiwan.
Send an email to tpe4ww.food@evershinecpa.com
Director Jerry Chu, USA Graduate School Alumni and a well-English speaker
Mobile: +886-939-357-735
Tel No.: +886-2-2717-0515 ext. 103
What are procedures when importing a foreign food into Taiwan?
Step 1. Composition Review
Check whether any ingredient is listed as prohibited or restricted by the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA).
If prohibited, the product cannot be imported.
📄 Required Documents:
- Full ingredient list (with percentage)
- Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- Product specification sheet
Step 2. Special Forms (Tablet / Capsule) – Pre-Market Approval
If the product is in tablet or capsule form (often considered close to dietary supplements), you must apply for TFDA pre-market approval before import.
📄 Required Documents:
- Application form to TFDA
- Ingredient safety data
- Free Sale Certificate from country of origin
- Manufacturing license of factory
Step 3. Food Labeling & Marking
Prepare a Chinese food label compliant with Taiwan’s Food Labeling Act.
Labels must include:
- Product name
- Ingredient list
- Net weight/volume
- Expiry date / shelf life
- Importer’s name, address, and phone number (must be Taiwan registered entity)
- Country of origin
- Nutrition facts (if required)
Step 4. Import Declaration & Border Inspection
File an import declaration with Taiwan Customs, and submit the product to TFDA border inspection. If passed, TFDA issues a release notice, and goods can enter the Taiwan market.
📄 Required Documents:
- Import declaration form
- Invoice, packing list, bill of lading
- TFDA pre-approval (if applicable)
- Chinese label sample
Summary Table
| Step | English | 中文 | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Composition Review | 成分審查 | Check TFDA prohibited list |
| 2 | TFDA Approval (if capsule/tablet) | 膠囊/錠劑需申請 TFDA 核准 | Applies only for supplements-type forms |
| 3 | Food Labeling | 食品中文標示 | Must comply with TFDA labeling rules |
| 4 | Import & Border Inspection | 進口報關與邊境查驗 | Customs + TFDA clearance |
Official References
TFDA – Food Safety and Inspection: Food Import Regulations (中文)
Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA): https://www.fda.gov.tw/ENG/
What category of composition are prohibited or restricted ?
Check whether any ingredient is listed as prohibited or restricted by the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA).
If prohibited or restricted, the product cannot be imported.
1) Food additives
Only additives listed in TFDA’s “Standards for Specification, Scope of Application and Limitation of Food Additives” may be used, and only in the specified foods and at/under the stated limits. If an additive is not listed, it is prohibited. 食品藥物管理署
Where to check
TFDA English law page & Appendix tables（英/中）：食品藥物管理署+1
2) Pesticide residues (MRLs)
Foods must meet TFDA “Standards for Pesticide Residue Limits in Foods.” Taiwan uses a positive list; if a pesticide/commodity MRL is not listed, it is not allowed (zero-tolerance by default). 食品藥物管理署+1
Where to check
TFDA English law page
3) Veterinary drug residues
Foods must comply with “Standards for Veterinary Drug Residue Limits in Foods.” Drugs not listed shall not be detected; listed drugs must not exceed the given limits. 食品藥物管理署+1
Where to check
TFDA English law page（英）與PDF（中）：食品藥物管理署+1
4) Heavy metals, mycotoxins & other contaminants
Foods must meet TFDA “Sanitation Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food.” Anything above the maximum levels is prohibited; limits have been recently tightened for some categories (e.g., infant/young child foods, offal, nuts/oils). 全國法規資料庫+2USDA Apps+2
Where to check
TFDA English index（英）與合併標準解讀：食品藥物管理署+1
5) Form-factor & import inspection triggers
All imported food, food additives, utensils/packaging, cleansers are subject to border inspection under TFDA’s import inspection regulations. Tablet/capsule “food” often faces pre-market scrutiny and must still comply with the above substance standards. 食品藥物管理署
Practical “Prohibited/Restricted” examples
- Additives not listed in TFDA additive standard → prohibited. 食品藥物管理署
- Pesticide residues beyond TFDA MRLs or not listed at all → not allowed. 食品藥物管理署+1
- Veterinary drugs not listed (detectable) or exceeding limits → not allowed. 食品藥物管理署+1
- Contaminants (e.g., lead, cadmium, aflatoxins) exceeding TFDA maximum levels → not allowed (note: several heavy-metal limits were tightened effective 2024/7/1). USDA Apps+1
- Melamine and veterinary drug residues in milk specifically flagged as prohibited in dairy standards (illustrative historical rule). USDA Apps
How to use this in compliance reviews
List every ingredient/additive with CAS No. and inclusion rate.
- Verify each additive against TFDA’s additive Appendix (if not listed → prohibited).
- For agricultural/animal ingredients, verify pesticide/veterinary-drug limits and test reports.
- Check contaminant limits relevant to the food category.
- Keep records for TFDA border inspection.
Official references
- Additives ：TFDA “Standards for Specification, Scope, Application and Limitation of Food Additives” （未列名不得用）食品藥物管理署
- Pesticide MRLs：TFDA “Standards for Pesticide Residue Limits in Foods”（採正面表列）食品藥物管理署+1
- Veterinary drugs：TFDA “Standards for Veterinary Drug Residue Limits in Foods”（未列名不得檢出）食品藥物管理署+1
- Contaminants/Toxins：TFDA index + WTO/USDA通報（2024/7/1修正）食品藥物管理署+1
- Import inspection：TFDA “Regulations of Inspection of Imported Foods and Related Products” 食品藥物管理署
My take
- Taiwan is strictly positive-list for additives and residues. If your ingredient/additive isn’t explicitly listed with a permitted use, assume “no.” This is the safest default for client advice. 食品藥物管理署+2USDA Apps+2
- For risk control, build a pre-screen matrix (ingredient ↔ TFDA table entry ↔ allowable food type ↔ max level ↔ COA/test report). I can draft this matrix (bilingual) if you want.
Contact Us
You may also call in working hours (Taipei and China Time):
Director Jerry Chu, USA Graduate School Alumni and a well-English speaker
Mobile: +886-939-357-735
Tel No.: +886-2-2717-0515 ext. 103
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