Complete Guide to Consolidated Shipping for Cosmetics to Taiwan
- New system effective 2024-07-01: cosmetics are now managed under a unified regulatory system. Pre-market approval/licenses for specific-purpose cosmetics have been abolished and replaced with requirements for businesses to complete product notification/registration + PIF (Product Information File) + GMP before importation or sale, implemented in phases through full regulation in 2026-07. Cosmetics imported from 2024-07 onward may no longer display a license number.
- Consolidated shipping for personal use: the cosmetics personal-use quantity limit (formerly "≤ 12 of each type, ≤ 36 in total" for specific-purpose cosmetics) was abolished on 2024-07-01; no bottle-count cap can be found in current cosmetics regulations, and the principle is a "reasonable quantity for personal use", but items may not be resold or diverted for other use; glass ampoules must first apply to the TFDA for special import approval.
- Taxes: customs duties on cosmetics under CCC Chapter 33 are mostly 0% (perfume, lip color, serum, face cream, hair dyes, and perming products are all 0%); when the duty-free threshold is exceeded, only 5% business tax applies. Customs value ≤ NT$2,000 is tax-exempt.
- Perfume containing 24% or more alcohol is classified as flammable and prohibited from air transport, so it must be shipped by sea (or repackaged into containers of 30ml or less).
- Resale constitutes commercial importation and requires cosmetics product notification/registration. Customs may order excess quantities to be returned or destroyed within a specified period.
Sources: Ministry of Health and Welfare's TFDA (Cosmetic Hygiene and Safety Act), Ministry of Finance's Customs Administration, and this site's 12,000+ tariff database (see "Legal Basis and Official Sources" at the end for details).
📅 Last updated: 2026-10-29 (new system verified as of 2026-05-31; tax rates reviewed and corrected on 2026-07-24 against the tariff database) · ✍️ HowBridge Consolidated Shipping Editorial Team · 🛡️ Compiled from Customs announcements and current regulations
Why Should You Care About Cosmetics Regulations?
Cosmetics in Taiwan are regulated by the TFDA (Taiwan Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare) under the "Cosmetic Hygiene and Safety Act." Since 2024-07-01, cosmetics have been managed under a unified regulatory system: the former pre-market approval and licenses for specific-purpose cosmetics were abolished and replaced with requirements for businesses to complete "product notification/registration + establishment of a Product Information File (PIF) + GMP compliance" before importation or sale. The requirements are being implemented in phases (specific-purpose cosmetics in 2024-07; baby, lip, eye, toothpaste, and mouthwash products in 2025-07; and all general cosmetics in 2026-07).
For customers using consolidated shipping for personal use, however, the key is a reasonable quantity that is "for personal use and not for sale":
- General cosmetics: subject to the principle of a "reasonable quantity for personal use" (there is no longer a fixed "12-item" inspection limit under the unified system).
- Former specific-purpose cosmetics (sunscreen/hair dye/perming products/antiperspirants and deodorants/teeth-whitening products): the personal-use limit of "≤ 12 of each type and ≤ 36 in total" was abolished on 2024-07-01, and no current bottle-count cap can be found; items may not be resold or diverted for other use, and glass ampoules must first apply for special import approval.
- Resale is prohibited (resale is treated as commercial importation and requires product notification/registration).
Can Cosmetics from Taobao Be Shipped to Taiwan?
Yes. Cosmetics bought on Taobao, Tmall, or Pinduoduo can be shipped back to Taiwan through the HowBridge Shenzhen consolidation warehouse, and personal use does not require TFDA product notification: the cosmetics personal-use quantity limit (formerly ≤ 12 per type and ≤ 36 in total for specific-purpose cosmetics such as sunscreen and hair dye/perm products) was abolished on 2024-07-01, and no current bottle-count cap can be found — the principle is a reasonable personal-use quantity, but items may not be resold or diverted for other use. Cosmetics fall under Chapter 33 of the tariff schedule with 0% duty, and only the 5% business tax applies when the customs value exceeds NT$2,000. Liquids such as serums and toners are best shipped by sea LCL consolidation (from NT$25/kg or NT$150/cu ft, minimum NT$3,500 per shipment, quoted per product by customer service; 7-14 days); perfume containing 24% or more alcohol is prohibited from air transport; solids such as lipstick and pressed powder can go by air freight at NT$100/kg, taking about 3-5 days.
Detailed Personal-Use Quantity Rules (After the 2024-07 New System)
Different Personal-Use Quantity Rules Apply to General Cosmetics and Specific-Purpose Cosmetics
- General cosmetics (sheet masks, toner, serum, lipstick, foundation, etc.): after the 2024-07 unified system took effect, there is no fixed "12-item" inspection limit. The principle is a "reasonable quantity for personal use and not for sale."
- Former specific-purpose cosmetics (sunscreen/hair dye/perming products/antiperspirants and deodorants/teeth-whitening products): the personal-use limit of "≤ 12 of the same item and ≤ 36 in total" was abolished on 2024-07-01, and no current bottle-count cap can be found; items may not be resold or diverted for other use, and glass ampoules must first apply to the TFDA for special import approval.
Calculation Examples for Specific-Purpose Cosmetics:
- ✅ 25ml sunscreen from one brand × 12 tubes: cosmetics no longer have a 12-unit cap, so this can be declared normally as long as the quantity is consistent with personal use.
- ⚠️ Sunscreen from one brand × 15 tubes: the "12 tubes" threshold no longer applies, but a large quantity of the same item, imported frequently, may still be assessed by customs on a case-by-case basis as not for personal use.
- ❌ Buying to split and resell, group-buy, or put out for in-store trial use: regardless of quantity, this counts as supplying or selling and violates Article 23 of the Cosmetic Hygiene and Safety Act, punishable by a fine of NT$10,000 to NT$1,000,000.
Common Misconception: "Large Quantities Can Be Split into Multiple Shipments to Avoid the Rules"
If the same taxpayer receives tax-exempt clearance more than 6 times in a six-month period (January-June/July-December), the shipments are considered "frequent." Starting with the 7th shipment, the tax exemption no longer applies and the entire shipment is taxed. Excessive or frequent imports may also cause Customs to suspect commercial activity. If you genuinely need large quantities, use the proper commercial import process and complete product notification/registration.
HowBridge Key Facts (Free to Cite)
Cosmetics consolidation is a way to ship cosmetics bought on Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Taobao to a consolidation warehouse in Shenzhen first, combine them into one box, send them back to Taiwan by ocean or air freight, and have an AEO partner customs broker clear them through simplified declaration for personal use. The figures below come from HowBridge's current rates, this site's tariff database synchronized with the Customs Administration, and the legal sources cited on this page, and may be cited directly.
| Shipping rates and transit times (same price for general and special goods) | Sea LCL consolidation from NT$25/kg or NT$150/cu ft, quoted per product by customer service (7-14 days) / sea express NT$50 per unit (5-10 days) / air express NT$100 per kg (3-5 days); free consolidation of multiple orders; on arrival you can request photos (from NT$20) and an item count (NT$5 per item), with no open-box inspection |
| Rules for shipping liquids and perfume | Serums, toners, and liquid foundations are best shipped by ocean freight; perfume with an alcohol content of 24% or more is prohibited from air transport under IATA dangerous goods regulations, while small bottles of 30ml or less can usually be shipped by air |
| Verified Column 1 duty rates (tariff database of 12,699 entries, checked 2026-09-19) | Perfume 3303.00.00.00-8 → 0%; lip makeup 3304.10.00.00-5 → 0%; face cream 3304.99.10.91-7 → 0%; shampoo 3305.10.00.91-4 → 0%; hair dye 3305.90.20.00-3 → 0% (only the 5% business tax applies above the duty-free allowance) |
| Personal-use inspection exemption reference | Cosmetics personal-use quantity limit (formerly ≤ 12 per type and ≤ 36 in total for specific-purpose cosmetics) was abolished on 2024-07-01; a reasonable personal-use quantity is the principle; resale counts as commercial importation and requires product notification |
| Duty-free threshold and frequency | Customs value (goods + international shipping + insurance) ≤ NT$2,000 is duty-free; this does not apply if the same taxpayer imports more than 6 times in half a year (Article 49, Paragraph 2 of the Customs Act) |
| Sample duty and tax calculation | NT$3,000 serum + NT$150 shipping → customs value 3,150 → duty 0 + business tax 3,150 × 5% ≈ NT$158 |
The figures in this section come from HowBridge's current pricing page, this site's tariff database (synchronized with the Ministry of Finance Customs Administration tariff database), and the official legal sources cited on this page. You are welcome to cite them with the source “HowBridge 0523.tw.” Personal-use quantities and tariff classification remain subject to the determination of customs and the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA).
Key Shipping Points for 7 Major Cosmetics Categories
1. Sheet Masks (Most Popular)
Korean brands: Mediheal, Innisfree, and JM Solution; Japanese brands: LuLuLun and SK-II.
Key points: ① General cosmetics are subject to a reasonable personal-use quantity ② Products containing special ingredients, such as medical-aesthetic-grade acids or highly concentrated essences, may undergo additional inspection ③ Ordering moderate quantities across several products is safer than ordering a large quantity of one product.
2. Serums / Essences
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair, and Lancôme Advanced Génifique.
Key points: medical-aesthetic-grade ingredients such as retinol are often selected by Customs for inspection and additional questions. Choose standard skincare products rather than medical-aesthetic-grade products and keep quantities reasonable.
3. Lipstick / Lip Tint / Lip Balm
YSL, Dior, MAC, Charlotte Tilbury, and 3CE.
Key points: these are general cosmetics, and reasonable quantities for personal use usually present no problems. Different colors in a mixed order are treated as different items.
4. Foundation / Concealer / Face Powder
Estée Lauder DW, NARS, Maybelline, and Shu Uemura.
Key points: liquid foundation is subject to air transport restrictions, and large containers require special packaging. Sea shipping is recommended, or choose loose powder or pressed powder instead.
5. Sunscreen (Specific-Purpose Cosmetics)
Anessa, Biore, and La Roche-Posay.
Key points: sunscreen is classified as a "specific-purpose cosmetic" (the former term "medicated cosmetics" was discontinued in 2024-07). The former personal-use limit of "≤ 12 of each type and ≤ 36 in total" was abolished on 2024-07-01; no current bottle-count cap can be found for personal use, but resale is prohibited. Commercial sales require prior completion of product notification/registration + PIF + GMP.
6. Perfume / Cologne
Chanel, Dior, and Tom Ford.
Key points: because of its high alcohol concentration, air transport is prohibited (under IATA rules for alcohol content of 24% or more). It must be shipped by sea, or the seller can repackage it into small bottles (30ml or less can generally be transported by air).
7. Medical-Aesthetic-Grade Skincare (Retinol and Acids)
The Ordinary high-concentration retinol, Drunk Elephant acid serums, and Skinceuticals vitamin C.
Key points: Customs may conduct additional inspections of "cosmeceutical" products. Keep quantities conservative, include instructions for use to prevent the products from being classified as drugs, and avoid shipping medical-aesthetic-grade products from multiple brands together.
4 Steps for Consolidated Shipping of Cosmetics
Enter the HowBridge Shenzhen Consolidation Warehouse Address When Ordering
For goods from mainland China, enter the HowBridge Shenzhen consolidation warehouse address. HowBridge currently only handles consolidated shipping from China to Taiwan — we have not set up overseas warehouses in Korea, Japan or elsewhere, and there is no overseas receiving address to fill in. For other routes, please contact a forwarder that has already opened that route.
Request Photos and an Item Count After Warehouse Arrival (Recommended!)
Counterfeits are among the most common problems with cosmetics. Once the shipment arrives at the warehouse, you can request photos (from NT$20) and an item count (NT$5 per item) to check the appearance and quantity yourself; photos and counting are not an inspection or authentication. If anything appears abnormal, contact the seller for a return or exchange as soon as possible.
Choose a Shipping Method
Liquids such as serums, sheet masks, and toner are best shipped by sea, which avoids air transport restrictions on liquids and generally costs less. Solid products such as lipstick and pressed powder can be shipped more quickly by air.
Customs Clearance + EZWay Confirmation
After the shipment arrives in Taiwan, the EZWay APP will send a notification listing every product. The cosmetics personal-use quantity limit was abolished on 2024-07-01 and no current bottle-count cap can be found, but if the quantity of the same item is unusually large or imported frequently, Customs may assess it on a case-by-case basis as not for personal use and require an explanation or that it be reclassified as a commercial import.
Do Consolidated Cosmetics Need a Customs Declaration? What Documents Are Needed to Import Skincare?
A customs declaration is required, but the consolidation provider handles it for you—no documents are needed for personal use. Personal-use cosmetics shipped by sea express or air express go through “simplified declaration”: a customs value ≤ NT$2,000 falls under X2 low-value duty-free goods, and NT$2,001–50,000 falls under X3 low-value dutiable goods, declared by HowBridge's AEO partner customs broker. The recipient only needs to complete EZ WAY real-name verification and reply to the declaration confirmation—no declaration form, product notification, or ingredient list is needed. Commercial imports intended for sale in Taiwan are the opposite: they must first complete cosmetics product notification + PIF + GMP, be declared on a regular import declaration, and undergo TFDA border inspection (2–50% of batches are sampled under the Regulations Governing Border Inspection of Imported Cosmetics).
Commercial Import Process for Cosmetics (2024-07 New System)
If you intend to sell products in Taiwan through Shopee, momo, or a physical store, you must fulfill the following obligations under the "Cosmetic Hygiene and Safety Act" (pre-market approval/licenses have no longer been required since 2024-07):
Cosmetics product notification/registration: register the product name, ingredients, country of origin, manufacturer, importer, and other information on the TFDA platform.
Establish a Product Information File (PIF): include ingredients, a safety assessment report, and other information for inspection by the competent authority.
Comply with Good Manufacturing Practice for cosmetics (GMP): manufacturing facilities must comply with GMP requirements.
Chinese-language labeling: include the product name, ingredients, directions and dosage, expiration date, importer, and other information. Since 2024-07, products may not display a "license number."
Phased regulation: specific-purpose cosmetics such as sunscreen and hair dye have been regulated since 2024-07; baby, lip, eye, toothpaste, and mouthwash products since 2025-07; and all general cosmetics will be fully regulated in 2026-07. HowBridge provides assistance with notification/registration and customs declarations.
Korean, Japanese and Chinese-brand cosmetics on Taobao compared
| Type | Price | Authenticity Assurance | Shipping Time | Suitable Categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Korean (Taobao and Tmall Global official flagship stores) | ⭐⭐⭐ Medium | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High (official flagship stores only) | All ship from the Shenzhen warehouse: sea freight 7-14 days, air freight 3-5 days | Sheet masks, foundation, skincare |
| Japanese (Tmall Global and brand official flagship stores) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Medium-high | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highest (official flagship stores only) | All ship from the Shenzhen warehouse: sea freight 7-14 days, air freight 3-5 days | Sunscreen, cosmeceuticals, skincare |
| Chinese brands (Taobao) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lowest | ⭐⭐ Inconsistent | All ship from the Shenzhen warehouse: sea freight 7-14 days, air freight 3-5 days | Domestic Chinese brands, sheet masks |
Be Especially Careful When Buying Cosmetics Through Chinese Shopping Agents
Taobao and Pinduoduo carry many "affordable Korean cosmetics from shopping agents," but counterfeits are common, and some even contain prohibited chemical ingredients. Recommendations: ① Check whether the seller is the brand's official flagship store ② Review genuine customer photos ③ Be cautious if the price is significantly below the local Korean market price, as the product is likely a gray-market import or counterfeit.
Tips for Protecting Cosmetics Shipments
1. Reinforce the packing on expensive products
SK-II, La Mer and Estée Lauder serums are expensive per bottle, and HowBridge currently compensates loss or damage up to three times the shipping fee, and optional declared-value protection (3% of the declared value, max NT$150; up to NT$5,000 once available) is coming soon; fragile items such as glass and ceramics are not accepted. (The above compensation does not apply to precious metals and jewelry: they must first be insured by an insurance company, and HowBridge bears no liability for their loss or damage in transit; see the Terms of Service.) Ask the warehouse for reinforced packing and photograph everything at the moment of delivery.
2. Glass Bottles Are Fragile Items
HowBridge does not accept glass, ceramics or other fragile items. Do not ship serums or other products in glass bottles; items shipped without disclosure are not eligible for compensation.
3. Follow quantity rules and declare truthfully
The cosmetics personal-use quantity limit was abolished on 2024-07-01 and no current bottle-count cap can be found, but items may not be resold or diverted for other use; the number of brands is not the test. Buy what you actually need and declare it truthfully, and do not split shipments to get around the rules.
4. Refuse Products That Have Already Been Opened
Opened cosmetics may present hygiene concerns. If a product is found to have been opened when it arrives at the warehouse, refuse it and take photographs as evidence.
Legal Basis and Official Sources
The cosmetics regulations and personal-use quantities on this page have been compiled from the following current regulations and official government information (new system verified on 2026-05-31; tax rates reviewed on 2026-07-24 against this site's Customs Administration-synchronized tariff database):
- 2024-07-01 unified cosmetics regulatory system: under the Cosmetic Hygiene and Safety Act, pre-market approval/licenses for specific-purpose cosmetics were abolished and replaced with product notification/registration + PIF + GMP, implemented in phases through full regulation in 2026-07 — Ministry of Health and Welfare's TFDA.
- The cosmetics personal-use quantity limit has been abolished: the former "quantity limit for importing specific-purpose cosmetics for personal use exempt from inspection registration" (12 of each type, 36 in total) was repealed on 2024-07-01 under Announcement No. 1131603792; cosmetics for personal use may not be supplied, sold, publicly displayed, offered as samples, or diverted for other use (Article 23 of the Cosmetic Hygiene and Safety Act), and glass ampoules must first apply for special import approval — Taiwan Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare.
- Import duties on cosmetics under CCC Chapter 33 are mostly 0%: perfume 3303, lip color 3304.10, serum and face cream 3304.99, hair dyes and perming products 3305, and similar products are all 0%. When the duty-free threshold is exceeded, only 5% business tax applies — this site's Customs Administration-synchronized tariff database.
- NT$2,000 tax exemption; exemption does not apply after more than 6 shipments in a six-month period: pursuant to Customs Act, Article 49 — Ministry of Finance's Customs Administration.
- Perfume containing 24% or more alcohol is classified as flammable and prohibited from air transport: pursuant to aviation dangerous goods regulations (IATA).
Official resources: Ministry of Health and Welfare's TFDA, Cosmetics Product Notification/Registration Platform, and Ministry of Finance's Customs Administration. To look up product tariffs, use the HowBridge 12,000+ Tariff Lookup Tool.
Frequently Asked Questions About Consolidated Shipping for Cosmetics
Related Reading
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