Taiwan Entry Guide 2026
Last updated: 2026-08-28
Complete guide to Taiwan Customs rules, allowances, the vape ban and the new heated tobacco rule
Taiwan Customs (Ministry of Finance) allows 200 cigarettes, 1.5 litres of alcohol and NT$35,000 of goods duty-free for travellers aged 20+. E-cigarettes are totally banned, and heated tobacco bought abroad remains prohibited — but since 1 February 2026 you may bring in 200 approved sticks bought at a Taiwan airport duty-free. Cash over US$10,000 must be declared. Meat products are strictly prohibited (African swine fever) with fines up to NT$1,000,000.
⚠️ IQOS & Heated Tobacco Warning
Heated tobacco bought abroad (IQOS, glo, HEETS, TEREA) is PROHIBITED in Taiwan — fines NT$50,000 to NT$5,000,000, and Taoyuan customs actively seizes it. Since 1 February 2026 there is one exception: up to 200 sticks of health-assessment-approved heated tobacco purchased at a Taiwan airport duty-free shop. Foreign devices remain unapproved. E-cigarettes are banned outright.
📖 Read our in-depth Global Heated Tobacco Travel GuideEntry Process
- 1Complete the online Arrival Card before landing (free, replaces the paper form)
- 2Immigration (e-Gate available for enrolled visitors)
- 3Buy approved heated tobacco at the arrival duty-free if you use it (before customs)
- 4Collect checked baggage
- 5Quarantine check for food; Red Channel for vapes, foreign IQOS, cash over limits or excess goods
Prohibited Items
- Meat & Pork ProductsAll meat, jerky, sausages and pork snacks banned (African swine fever) — fines NT$200,000 to NT$1,000,000
- E-cigarettes (all types)Total ban since 2023 — import NT$50,000–5,000,000, use/possession NT$2,000–10,000
- Foreign-bought Heated TobaccoIQOS/HEETS/TEREA from abroad prohibited — fines NT$50,000–5,000,000; only Taiwan-airport-bought approved sticks allowed
- Narcotics & CannabisAll illegal drugs strictly prohibited, including CBD in most cases
Duty-Free Allowances
- Alcohol1.5L of alcoholic beverages, any number of bottles (age 20+)
- Tobacco200 cigarettes OR 25 cigars OR 1 lb tobacco OR 200 approved heated sticks (airport-bought)
- Other GoodsNT$35,000 total value of new goods
- CashDeclare over US$10,000 foreign currency, NT$100,000, RMB 20,000 or US$20,000 in gold
Declaration Tips
- • Never bring a vape — Taoyuan X-rays every bag and fines start at NT$50,000
- • Surrender any foreign IQOS or HEETS at the Red Channel rather than risk the fine
- • Leave all meat products — including jerky and instant noodles with meat — at home
- • Carry prescriptions for medication, especially controlled drugs