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Guide to Taiwan Import of Tobacco Products License

2025-08-12
According to “Tabacco and Alcohol Control Act” in Taiwan, the definition of tobacco is a product made entirely or partially from tobacco or its substitutes, designed for smoking, chewing, sucking, sniffing, or other forms of use. If one plans to import the types of tobacco into Taiwan, it is necessary to apply to the Taiwan Ministry of Finance for a tobacco import business license.

The Ministry of Finance in Taiwan is the agency that is responsible for issuing and regulating tobacco products licenses.

Generally, if all required documents are submitted correctly and the information provided is accurate, the Ministry of Finance in Taiwan will issue the license within 4 to 6 weeks.

The tobacco import business license in Taiwan does not require annual renewal, but it is necessary to pay a government fee every year to maintain the license. After obtaining the license, the licensee must complete the payment of the license fee for the following year before December 31st every year. Please note that applicants or responsible persons for tobacco import businesses should not be minors, individuals under guardianship or assistance declaration, or bankrupt individuals. If the responsible person of a company is under guardianship or assistance declaration or is bankrupt, they must apply for a change of responsible person to the central competent authority within 30 days from the date of occurrence of such fact. If the application is not made within the deadline, the competent authority will revoke its establishment permit.

  1. Businesses Requiring a Tobacco Import License

    According to “Tabacco and Alcohol Control Act” in Taiwan, the definition of tobacco is a product made entirely or partially from tobacco or its substitutes, designed for smoking, chewing, sucking, sniffing, or other forms of use. If one plans to import the types of tobacco into Taiwan, it is necessary to apply to the Taiwan Ministry of Finance for a tobacco import business license.

  2. Conditions for Applying for an Alcohol Import License

    Before applying for an alcohol import business license to the Taiwan Ministry of Finance, applicants must meet the following requirements:

    (a)
    		 Company Registration

    Individuals planning to engage in tobacco importation in Taiwan must first complete company registration procedures in Taiwan. For detailed procedures and costs related to registering a company in Taiwan, please refer to our guide titled "Procedures and Costs for Registering a Company in Taiwan." Foreign companies may also register a branch in Taiwan to conduct this business.
    (b)
    		 Qualifications of the Applicant or Responsible Person

    The company and the responsible person applying for the Taiwan tobacco import business license must not fall under any of the following categories:
    (1)
    		 The applicant or responsible person is a minor, under guardianship or assistance declaration, or bankrupt;
    (2)
    		 The applicant or responsible person who been found to have violated or has previously violated the following provisions of the Taiwan “Tobacco and Alcohol Control Act”:
    (a). Individuals who produce or import illicit tobacco or alcohol;
    (b). Individuals who sell, transport, transfer, or intend to sell, transport, or transfer, and display or store illicit tobacco or alcohol, or inferior tobacco or alcohol;
    (c). Individuals who produce or import inferior tobacco or alcohol;
    (d). Individuals who produce or import inferior tobacco or alcohol containing substances significantly harmful to human health;
    (3)
    		 Businesses whose tobacco or alcohol import establishment license has been revoked or annulled by the financial authorities less than three years ago. This does not apply to businesses that have ceased tobacco or alcohol operations and have had their factory registration revoked or annulled;
    (4)
    		 The applicant or responsible person has previously been a responsible person for a tobacco or alcohol importer whose establishment license was revoked or annulled by the competent authority in Taiwan less than three years ago. This does not apply to individuals who have ceased tobacco or alcohol operations and have had their establishment license annulled after not operating the tobacco or alcohol import business for two consecutive years.


  3. Tobacco Import License Application Process

    The following describes the process for applying for a Taiwan alcohol import license, using the example of a client commissioning Kaizen to handle the license application process.

    (1)
    		 The client confirms the commissioning of Kaizen to handle the license application matters and emails the required materials for the license application to Kaizen.
    (2)
    		 Kaizen prepares the necessary documents for the license application, then arranges for the client to sign the license application documents (Kaizen will email the prepared application documents to the client, who will sign them and return them to Kaizen).
    (3)
    		 After receiving the signed documents, Kaizen applies to the Taiwan Ministry of Finance for the establishment permit.
    (4)
    		 Once the company registration is approved, Kaizen applies to the Taiwan Minisry of Finance for the issuance of the license.
    (5)
    		 Kaizen arranges for the payment of the license fee and collect the license.

  4. Application Procedure for Alcohol Import Business License

    When applying for an alcohol import business license to the Taiwan Ministry of Finance, the applicant needs to prepare the following documents:
    (1)
    		 Properly filled out and signed application form and declaration;
    (2)
    		 A copy of the front and back of the passport of the Taiwan company representative or the Taiwan ID card.

  5. Time Required for License Application

    Applying for Alcohol Products Import License in Taiwan is divided into two stages: the first stage is applying for the business establishment permit, and after the company registration is complete, the second stage is applied for the issuance of the license. Generally, if all required documents and information are provided as requested, the application can be approved as quickly as within 4 to 6 weeks.

  6. License Renewal

    The alcohol import business license in Taiwan does not require annual renewal, but an annual government fee must be paid to maintain the license. After getting the permit, the license fee for the following year must be paid before December 31st each year. Please note that applicants or responsible persons of tobacco and alcohol import businesses should not be minors, individuals under guardianship or assistance, or bankrupt individuals. If the company's responsible person is under guardianship or assistance or is bankrupt, they must apply for a change of responsible person to the competent authority in Taiwan within 30 days from the date of occurrence. If the application is not made within the deadline, the competent authority will revoke its establishment permit.

Disclaimer

All information in this article is only for the purpose of information sharing, instead of professional suggestion. Kaizen will not assume any responsibility for loss or damage.

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