Aquarium Supplies from Taobao: Taiwan Import Rules for Tanks, Equipment, Live Fish, Plants and Food
Quick Answer: What Rules Apply to Importing Taobao Aquarium Supplies into Taiwan?
Equipment depends on import rules and inspection: filters and LED lights are usually classified C02 (some items are subject to BSMI inspection), and aquarium heaters are BSMI-listed items requiring inspection; non-commercial personal-use items of the same spec on a single declaration with a total value of US$1,000 or below can apply for an inspection exemption. Mainland appliances are mostly 220V/50Hz, while Taiwan is 110V/60Hz. Glass aquarium tanks are fragile and HowBridge does not ship them. What cannot be imported: live aquatic plants (other live plants and live plant seedlings) and fish food are classified MW0 — mainland-made goods may not be imported (MW0 = import from mainland China prohibited; the small-quantity permit exemption does not apply to Chapters 1–24); goldfish, koi and Caridina/Neocaridina shrimp (such as crystal red shrimp) are subject to mandatory quarantine, require an official mainland veterinary health certificate and cannot be sent by mail; HowBridge’s Terms of Service also list live animals and plants as prohibited items. Pressurized CO2 cylinders are dangerous goods and HowBridge does not accept them.
HowBridge only operates a Shenzhen consolidation warehouse and a Taoyuan operations warehouse, offers only Mainland China → Taiwan consolidation and does not offer purchasing-agent service. Under our Terms of Service, live animals and plants are not accepted; glass tanks and other fragile items are refused, and liquids (such as water conditioners) are outside compensation coverage. For other equipment, please confirm with WeCom customer service whether it can be accepted.
Import Rules for Aquarium Supplies from Mainland China to Taiwan: Item Comparison Table
Start with the import-rule column of the tariff schedule: MW0 means import from mainland China is prohibited (exception: small quantities in Chapters 25–97 need no import permit if the whole declaration is within CIF ≈CN¥6,603 (NT$32,000) and each single product is within 24 pieces, with a 40 kg limit only for goods that cannot be counted; electric motorcycles, electric bicycles and their controllers are excluded, and Chapters 1–24 do not qualify); C02 means some items under that heading require BSMI inspection; B01 means the item goes through APHIA quarantine. Customs determines the actual tariff code based on the real goods:
| Item | Possible Tariff Code | Import Rule | Import notes / acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filters (water filtration equipment) | 8421.21.90.00-1, etc. | C02 | Whether inspection is required depends on the item lookup |
| Water pumps | 8413.70.00.00-0, 8413.81.90.00-8 | None | No import-requirement code |
| LED lighting | 9405.11–9405.49, etc. | C02 | Whether inspection is required depends on the item lookup |
| Heaters (aquarium heaters) | BSMI reference 8516.79.00.00-7 | Inspection required | Inspection required unless the personal-use exemption applies |
| Fish tanks (glass) | May fall under 7020.00.99.90-5 | None | Not accepted by HowBridge (fragile item) |
| Fish food | 2309.90.90.40-8 | 404 B01 MW0 | No: mainland-made goods are not allowed to be imported (Ch. 1–24: small-quantity exception does not apply) |
| Live aquatic plants, plant seedlings | 0602.90.99.90-6, 0602.90.91.90-4 | B01 MW0 | No |
| Goldfish, shrimp, and other live animals | 0301.11, 0306.36.20.60-2, etc. | B01 (111 also applies to some species) | HowBridge does not accept these; a veterinary health certificate is required, and mailing is not allowed |
| Pressurized CO2 cylinders | — | Dangerous goods | Dangerous goods — not accepted by HowBridge |
Carbon dioxide's tariff heading carries code 508, which is the Ministry of Health and Welfare's food additive code. For non-food uses, entering DH999999999508 on the customs declaration exempts you from that requirement. CO2 cylinders can't be shipped because of dangerous-goods rules — not because of code 508.
Do Filters, Heaters, and LED Lights Need BSMI Inspection? Can You Use Mainland Voltage in Taiwan?
Three key points: C02 only means that “some” items under that heading require inspection; heaters are explicitly listed as an inspection-required item; and mainland China and Taiwan use different voltages.
Aquarium Heaters Are an Inspection-Required Item
The BSMI's list of inspection-required commodities includes “aquarium heaters” (limited to a rated single-phase AC voltage of 250V or below and a rated power consumption of 1650W or below), with reference tariff code 8516.79. Separately, for heading 8516.10 (immersion water heaters), only water dispensers and electric kettles are permitted from mainland China; the actual tariff code is determined by customs.
Personal-Use Items Can Apply for an Inspection Exemption
Article 5 of the Regulations Governing Exemption of Commodities from Inspection: for non-commercial personal-use items, if the total value of the same specification and model on a single declaration is US$1,000 or below, it can be exempted from inspection after review by the inspection authority; when it exceeds US$1,000, personal-use items are capped at 2 pieces.
220V/50Hz vs. 110V/60Hz
Residential power in mainland China is single-phase 220V, 50Hz (Articles 6 and 7 of the Electricity Supply Business Rules （供电营业规则）), while Taiwan uses 110V, 60Hz (Articles 3 and 4 of the Regulations Governing Electric Power Supply Voltage and Frequency). Check the nameplate before ordering — heaters and water pumps rated only for 220V will need separate power handling in Taiwan.
Can You Ship Live Fish, Shrimp, or Betta Fish from Taobao to Taiwan?
The law does not contain a sentence saying “individuals are prohibited from importing live animals,” but in practice there are many hurdles to clear. Under the Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases and APHIA quarantine conditions:
| Situation | Rule | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Goldfish, koi, and other regulated fish species | Must be accompanied by the original official veterinary health certificate from the exporting country's government; quarantine must be applied for on arrival | Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Live Fish and Their Gametes and Fertilized Eggs |
| Caridina spp., Neocaridina spp. (such as crystal red shrimp), Macrobrachium spp., and Procambarus clarkii | Same as above | Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Live Crustaceans and Mollusks |
| Mailing items subject to mandatory quarantine | Cannot be imported by mail; such items will be returned, confiscated, or destroyed | Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases, Article 34, Paragraph 3 |
| Piranha, Electrophoridae (electric eels) | Prohibited from being kept or imported | Animals Designated by the Ministry of Agriculture as Prohibited from Being Kept, Imported, or Exported |
| Importer fails to apply for quarantine | Fine of ≈CN¥10,318 (NT$50,000)–1,000,000 | Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases, Article 43 |
| Betta (Siamese fighting fish) | Not found in the quarantine-conditions schedule, and no dedicated rule was found either | — |
Article 4.1 of HowBridge's Terms of Service lists “live animals and plants” as a legally prohibited item — do not send live fish, live shrimp, or live aquatic plants to the Shenzhen warehouse. Article 37 of the Postal Handling Regulations also prohibits mailing live animals. If you want to keep betta fish or crystal red shrimp, please buy them from a licensed aquarium shop in Taiwan.
Can You Ship Aquatic Plants, Tissue-Culture Cups, or Plant Seeds?
Aquatic plants are subject to plant quarantine. For the complete plant quarantine rules, see Can You Ship Seeds from Taobao to Taiwan? Quarantine Rules for Seeds and Succulents Entering Taiwan. Common situations in the aquarium hobby:
Live Aquatic Plants: MW0
Aquatic plants are usually classified as “other live plants” or “other live plant seedlings.” Both tariff headings are listed as MW0 on the International Trade Administration's summary table of items not permitted for import — mainland-made goods are not allowed to be imported, even with a quarantine certificate (MW0 = import from mainland China is prohibited; the small-quantity import permit exemption does not apply to Chapters 1–24).
Tissue-Culture Cup Plants Also Need a Quarantine Certificate
APHIA's Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Plant Tissue-Culture Plantlets state that imported plant tissue-culture plantlets “must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the plant quarantine authority of the exporting country.” Sterile culture does not mean quarantine-exempt; when shipped from mainland China and classified as other live plant seedlings, the same MW0 rule applies.
Aquatic Plant Seeds: Not MW0, But Cannot Be Mailed
The import rule for seeds (1209) is 402 B01: a phytosanitary certificate is required, and quantities over 100 grams also require a seed-industry registration certificate. In principle, items subject to plant quarantine may not be imported by mail, which is hard for an ordinary online-shopping parcel to satisfy.
What About Aquarium Substrate, Fish Food, and CO2 Cylinders?
These three categories are the ones most often overlooked:
Aquarium Substrate and Bottom Sand
Article 15 of the Plant Protection and Quarantine Act: soil and items with soil attached may not be imported; violations can be punished by up to 3 years' imprisonment. Processed soil (such as Akadama soil) must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country certifying that it is brand-new, unused, and free of attached soil. This page could not find an official explanation of how sintered aquarium substrate is classified — please confirm before placing an order.
Fish Food: MW0
Fish food (2309.90.90.40-8) is classified MW0 — mainland-made goods are not allowed to be imported (MW0 = import from mainland China is prohibited; the small-quantity import permit exemption does not apply to Chapters 1–24). Medicated feed additives (2309.90.90.60-3) are also MW0.
CO2 Cylinders: Dangerous Goods
Compressed gas is classified as dangerous goods: Article 3 of the Regulations Governing the Air Transport of Dangerous Goods classifies gases as Class 2 dangerous goods, and items that don't meet the requirements may not be transported by air; Article 37 of the Postal Handling Regulations prohibits mailing dangerous goods; mainland China's Provisions on the Administration of Prohibited Mailing Items also lists “compressed and liquefied gases and their containers”. This page could not find an official conclusion on whether empty cylinders, regulators, or diffusers can be shipped.
Why Are Live Fish and Aquatic Plants Regulated So Strictly?
The ornamental fish and aquatic plant trade is one of the pathways for invasive species introduction:
Research in Taiwan
A 2006 study surveyed 293 ornamental fish species sold in aquarium shops in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, finding that families with more introduced fish species also had more records of wild invasion (Liang et al., 2006). Suckermouth catfish (Pterygoplichthys) have been introduced worldwide through the aquarium trade and have escaped into the wild due to owner negligence (Wu et al., 2011).
International Research
More than 1 billion ornamental fish are traded across borders every year, and fish diseases can spread along with that trade (Whittington & Chong, 2007). Online auctions have also become a cross-border channel for live-animal trade (Olden et al., 2021), and of 287 aquatic plant species sold through online retailers in Brazil, 188 were non-native species (Peres et al., 2018). These are findings from overseas and are provided here for background only.
Terms Used on This Page
- MW0
- Tariff import-regulation code: import from mainland China is prohibited (exception: small quantities in Chapters 25–97 need no import permit if the whole declaration is within CIF ≈CN¥6,603 (NT$32,000) and each single product is within 24 pieces, with a 40 kg limit only for goods that cannot be counted; electric motorcycles, electric bicycles and their controllers are excluded, and Chapters 1–24 do not qualify).
- C02
- A tariff import-rule code meaning that some items under this heading are commodities the BSMI has announced as subject to mandatory import inspection.
- B01
- A tariff import-rule code meaning the item must be handled according to APHIA's list of items subject to mandatory quarantine and the applicable quarantine rules at the time of import.
- Item Subject to Mandatory Quarantine
- Animals and products announced under the Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases as subject to mandatory quarantine; they may not be imported by mail.
- Veterinary Health Certificate
- An official document issued by the competent authority of the exporting country's government certifying that the animal meets the importing country's quarantine conditions; the original must accompany imports of live fish or shrimp.
- Aquarium Heater
- A commodity announced by the BSMI as subject to mandatory inspection, commonly known as a heater.
- Tissue-Culture Plantlets
- Plant seedlings cultured on a sterile growth medium and held in a sealed container, commonly known as tissue-culture cups; a phytosanitary certificate is still required for import.
Sources and Limits of Verification
The codes, lists, quarantine conditions, and statutory provisions on this page are based on the original pages actually accessed and the internal tariff schedule queried on September 25, 2026; each item below includes a link, the verification date, and the key original text.
Laws, Government Announcements, and Terms of Service
- International Trade Administration (ITA), Ministry of Economic Affairs — Import Rule Codes (verified 2026-09-25): “MW0, mainland goods not permitted for import.” “111, controlled import.” C02 = “Some items under this heading are commodities announced by the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), Ministry of Economic Affairs, as subject to mandatory import inspection.” For code 508, imports “not for food or food-additive use” can be exempted by entering DH999999999508.
- International Trade Administration — Summary Table of Mainland China Items Not Permitted for Import (data as of 115-09-25 ROC; verified 2026-09-25): “2309.90.90.40-8 fish food 404 B01 MW0” “0602.90.99.90-6 other live plants B01 MW0” “0602.90.91.90-4 other live plant seedlings B01 MW0.”
- International Trade Administration — Summary Table of Mainland China Items Conditionally Permitted for Import (data as of 115-09-25 ROC; verified 2026-09-25): for heading 8516.10, only “water dispensers” and “electric kettles, electric water heaters, quick-boil kettles…” are open to mainland China.
- Regulations Governing Permission for Trade Between the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, Article 7 (amended 113-02-19 ROC; verified 2026-09-25): “Except as provided in the following subparagraphs, mainland-area goods may not be imported into the Taiwan area.”
- Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases, Articles 34, 41, 43, and 45 (verified 2026-09-25): “Items subject to mandatory quarantine may not be imported by mail; if imported by mail, they shall be returned, confiscated, or destroyed.” An importer who fails to apply for quarantine is subject to a fine of ≈CN¥10,318 (NT$50,000)–1,000,000 (Article 43).
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA) — Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Live Fish and Their Gametes and Fertilized Eggs (amended 111-08-11 ROC; verified 2026-09-25): the schedule includes “Carassius auratus, goldfish” and “Cyprinus carpio, koi/common carp”; “the original veterinary health certificate issued by the competent authority of the exporting government must be presented at the time of import.”
- APHIA — Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Live Crustaceans and Mollusks (amended 114-02-07 ROC; verified 2026-09-25): Schedule 1 includes “Caridina spp., all species in the genus Caridina,” “Neocaridina spp., all species in the genus Neocaridina,” and “Procambarus clarkii, red swamp crayfish.”
- Ministry of Agriculture Announcement — Animals Designated as Prohibited from Being Kept, Imported, or Exported (amended 115-03-10 ROC; verified 2026-09-25): “Piranha (scientific name: Serrasalmus rhombeus)” and “Electrophoridae (scientific name: Electrophoridae) animals.”
- Postal Handling Regulations, Article 37 (amended 111-05-27 ROC; verified 2026-09-25): mailing is prohibited for “flammable, explosive, or other dangerous goods” and “live animals.”
- Plant Protection and Quarantine Act, Articles 15, 16, 17, and 22 (amended 107-06-20 ROC; verified 2026-09-25): “soil” and “plants with soil attached” may not be imported; imported quarantine items must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country for inspection.
- APHIA — Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Plant Tissue-Culture Plantlets (issued 101-01-16 ROC; verified 2026-09-25): “When importing plant tissue-culture plantlets, a phytosanitary certificate issued by the plant quarantine authority of the exporting country must be presented.”
- APHIA — Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Growing Media (effective 109-04-01 ROC; verified 2026-09-25): imports of processed soil (such as Akadama soil) must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country “certifying that it is brand-new, unused, and free of attached soil.”
- Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) — Inspection Regulations for 63 Commodities Including Electric Blankets (verified 2026-09-25): “52 Aquarium heater (inspection limited to rated single-phase AC voltage of 250V or below… rated power consumption of 1650W or below) … 8516.79.00.00.7K.”
- Regulations Governing Exemption of Commodities from Inspection, Article 5 (amended 108-11-21 ROC; verified 2026-09-25): for non-commercial personal-use items, “the total value of the same specification and model on a single declaration is US$1,000 or below,” or when it exceeds that, “other commodities: 1. Personal-use items: 2 pieces.”
- Regulations Governing the Air Transport of Dangerous Goods, Articles 3 and 5 (amended 107-12-10 ROC; verified 2026-09-25): dangerous goods classification “Class 2: gases”; “Dangerous goods that do not comply with these regulations and the applicable technical standards may not be transported by air.”
- Regulations Governing Electric Power Supply Voltage and Frequency, Articles 3 and 4 (verified 2026-09-25): “The frequency of alternating current is set at 60 hertz”; “110 volts, supplied via a single-phase two-wire system.”
- Mainland China's Electricity Supply Business Rules (供电营业规则), Articles 6 and 7 (effective 2024-06-01; verified 2026-09-25): “The rated frequency is 50 hertz AC” and “single-phase is 220 volts.”
- HowBridge Terms of Service, Article 4.1 (verified 2026-09-25): “Legally prohibited items” include “live animals and plants.”
Academic and Research Literature
The Pet Trade as a Source of Invasive Fish in Taiwan
Surveyed 293 ornamental fish species sold in aquarium shops in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, finding that families with more introduced species also had more wild-invasion records (2006 data).
Identification of exotic sailfin catfish species (Pterygoplichthys, Loricariidae) in Taiwan based on morphology and mtDNA sequences
Points out that suckermouth catfish (Pterygoplichthys) have been introduced worldwide through the aquarium trade and have escaped into the wild due to owner negligence.
Online auction marketplaces as a global pathway for aquatic invasive species
The ornamental aquatic trade is one of the main introduction pathways for aquatic invasive species; online auctions have become a cross-border channel for live-animal trade (data mainly from the United States).
Global trade in ornamental fish from an Australian perspective: the case for revised import risk analysis and management strategies
More than 1 billion ornamental fish are traded across borders every year, and the risk of fish diseases spreading through that trade needs to be managed through quarantine.
Alien Express: The threat of aquarium e-commerce introducing invasive aquatic plants in Brazil
Of 287 aquatic plant species sold through online retailers in Brazil, 188 were non-native species, showing the invasion risk of online-sold aquatic plants (Brazil data).
Genomic consequences of domestication of the Siamese fighting fish
Betta fish are among the most popular ornamental fish; this paper is a genomic study and does not concern import regulations.
① Betta fish were not found in APHIA's quarantine-conditions schedule, and no dedicated rule was found either; ② no official conclusion was found on how sintered aquarium substrate is classified or whether empty CO2 cylinders and regulators can be shipped; ③ no official interpretation was found on whether ornamental fish food falls under the scope of the Feed Control Act; ④ whether filters and LED lights are inspection-required items is determined by the BSMI's item-lookup tool; ⑤ tariff codes are determined by customs based on the actual goods — the “possible tariff code” in the tables is for reference only; ⑥ most academic literature cited is from overseas or older years and is provided for background only; ⑦ this page does not constitute legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ship a fish tank or filter bought on Taobao to Taiwan?
Can I ship a heater from mainland China?
Can I ship a betta fish from Taobao to Taiwan?
Can I ship aquatic plants from Taobao?
Can I ship fish food?
Can I ship a CO2 cylinder?
Can I buy a Fluval fish tank from Taobao?
Further Reading
Can You Ship Seeds from Taobao to Taiwan? Quarantine Rules for Seeds and Succulents Entering Taiwan
Animal and Plant Quarantine B01 Import Process 2026
Rules for Shipping Pet Food and Supplies to Taiwan
C01, C02 Import Rules and BSMI Inspection-Required Commodities
Taiwan Import Ban List
CITES Endangered Species Import Permit 2026
Taobao to Taiwan Consolidation
Check the Import Rules for Aquarium Supplies First
HowBridge does not accept glass tanks and other fragile items, live animals, fish food or live plants; for other equipment, please check with WeCom customer service first. Import rules follow this page and official announcements.
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