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Real-time tariff data updated daily from USITC & Federal Register — Try the HTS Classifier →
Effective Duty Rate
Standard MFN rates; most categories moderate
Estimate — verify by HTS code
Compliance Risk
Low
Relative to other import corridors
Regulatory Agencies
FDA, USDA/FSIS, USDA/APHIS, EPA
Primary oversight bodies

Importing Food Products, Beverages & Agricultural Goods from Taiwan

Importing food products from Taiwan into the United States carries low compliance risk, with an effective duty rate of Standard MFN rates; most categories moderate. Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs (25% / 10%) apply to relevant food products sub-categories — verify your HTS code against current Section 232 annexes before entry.

Food Products imported from Taiwan to the United States is subject to CBP entry requirements, applicable HTS-based duty rates, and agency compliance clearances. This guide covers the complete import process for 2026.

⚠ Key Trade Intelligence — Taiwan Origin

Taiwan exports tea, processed foods, bubble tea ingredients, and specialty snacks. Standard MFN rates with no additional surcharges. FDA compliance processes are established for Taiwanese food exporters.

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Estimated Landed Cost: Food Products from Taiwan

Based on a representative $50,000 CIF shipment value. Actual costs vary by HTS code, entry type, and port of entry.

Cost Component Amount Notes
Cargo Value (CIF) $50,000.00 Reference shipment value
MFN Base Duty (5.0%) $2,500.00 MFN column, Schedule B
Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%) $173.20 Min $31.67 / max $614.35
Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%) $62.50 Ocean freight only
Total Duties & Fees $2,735.70 Effective rate: 5.5%
Estimated Landed Cost $52,735.70 Cargo + all US duties/fees

⚠ Section 232 tariffs (25% steel / 10% aluminum) may apply to food products sub-categories with significant steel or aluminum content. Not included above — verify by specific HTS code.

Excludes freight, insurance, broker fees, warehousing, and AD/CVD duties. Use the Duty Calculator for a precise estimate on your specific shipment.

HTS Codes for Food Products Imports

The following Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes typically apply to food products imports. Exact classification depends on the specific product — misclassification is one of the most common CBP compliance errors.

HTS Code Product Description MFN Base Duty Rate
0901 Coffee (green, roasted, decaffeinated) 0% MFN (green); 0% (instant)
1806 Chocolate & Cocoa Preparations 0%–8.5% MFN
2009 Fruit Juices & Vegetable Juices 0%–29.8¢/liter MFN
1604–1605 Prepared Fish, Crustaceans & Shellfish 0%–20% MFN
2106 Food Preparations Not Elsewhere Specified (sauces, supplements) 0%–8.5% MFN

MFN rates reflect base tariff. Additional duties (Section 301, Section 232, AD/CVD) may apply on top of MFN rates. Use the AI classifier to get the exact 10-digit HTS code and all applicable rates for your specific product.

Total Tariff Cost for Taiwan-Origin Food Products

Duty Layer Rate / Status Applies To
MFN Base Rate Varies by HTS code All Taiwan-origin goods (baseline)
Section 301 Not applicable Taiwan-origin goods are not subject to Section 301
Section 232 (Steel/Aluminum) 25% steel / 10% aluminum Steel and aluminum imports from Taiwan
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US Compliance Requirements for Food Products Imports

Regardless of origin country, food products imports must satisfy the following US regulatory requirements before or at the time of CBP entry filing:

  • FDA Prior Notice of imported food — must be submitted 15 days (ocean) or 4 hours (air) before arrival; Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) under FSMA required for all food importers
  • USDA/FSIS import inspection for meat, poultry, and egg products — only from countries with FSIS-equivalent inspection systems; products must bear FSIS mark of inspection
  • USDA/APHIS phytosanitary requirements for fresh fruits, vegetables, and plant-based products — phytosanitary certificate from origin country required
  • EPA pesticide residue tolerance limits (40 CFR Part 180) apply to all imported food products — FDA monitors and enforces at the border
Compliance Check Tool

Run an automated compliance check for your food products import — identifies all applicable agency requirements, flagging issues before your shipment departs Taiwan.

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Documentation Checklist for Food Products from Taiwan

Prepare all documents before the shipment departs Taiwan. Missing or incorrect documents are the #1 cause of CBP holds and customs delays.

1
Commercial Invoice with product name, ingredients list, and country of origin
2
Packing List with batch/lot numbers and production dates
3
Bill of Lading (temperature-controlled documentation for perishables)
4
FDA Prior Notice Confirmation
5
Phytosanitary Certificate (for plant-based products) or FSIS Import Permit (for meat/poultry)
6
Country of Origin Certificate and Food Facility Registration
Document Generator

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Import Timeline — Food Products from Taiwan

1–5 days (air freight for perishables); 15–30 days (ocean for shelf-stable products)

Supplier Preparation
Allow 1–2 weeks for production documentation, certificates, and packing lists
Transit Time
18–35 days ocean from Asia/origin
CBP Clearance
1–3 days standard; 5–15 days if examination or AD/CVD review required

FAQs — Importing Food Products from Taiwan

What is the effective US tariff rate for importing food products from Taiwan?
The effective US tariff rate for food products from Taiwan is: Standard MFN rates; most categories moderate. Taiwan exports tea, processed foods, bubble tea ingredients, and specialty snacks. Standard MFN rates with no additional surcharges. FDA compliance processes are established for Taiwanese food exporters.
What compliance agencies regulate food products imports from Taiwan?
Food Products imports require compliance with: FDA, USDA/FSIS, USDA/APHIS, EPA. Specific requirements include: FDA Prior Notice of imported food — must be submitted 15 days (ocean) or 4 hours (air) before arrival; Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) under FSMA required for all food importers and USDA/FSIS import inspection for meat, poultry, and egg products — only from countries with FSIS-equivalent inspection systems; products must bear FSIS mark of inspection.
What documents are required to import food products from Taiwan?
Required documents include: Commercial Invoice with product name, ingredients list, and country of origin; Packing List with batch/lot numbers and production dates; Bill of Lading (temperature-controlled documentation for perishables); FDA Prior Notice Confirmation. Additional: Phytosanitary Certificate (for plant-based products) or FSIS Import Permit (for meat/poultry); Country of Origin Certificate and Food Facility Registration. Ensure all documents are prepared before the shipment departs Taiwan.
How long does customs clearance take for food products from Taiwan?
Typical timeline: 1–5 days (air freight for perishables); 15–30 days (ocean for shelf-stable products). CBP clearance typically takes 1–3 business days for compliant entries. Complex entries (AD/CVD, formal entry review, or examination) may require 5–15 additional business days.
Are there Section 301 or Section 232 tariffs on food products from Taiwan?
No Section 301 tariffs apply to Taiwan-origin goods. Section 232 applies: 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum products from Taiwan.
What FDA Prior Notice requirements apply to all food product imports?
FDA's Prior Notice regulation (21 CFR Part 1, Subpart I) requires advance notice before all food, beverages, dietary supplements, and animal feed shipments arrive at the US port of entry. Prior notice must be submitted between 5 days and 2 hours before arrival (for non-ocean shipments) or between 5 days and 4 hours before arrival (ocean freight). Non-compliance results in FDA refusal of admission and CBP may hold or return the shipment at the importer's expense. Use FDA's PNSI system or a licensed customs broker to file prior notice.
What USDA, FDA, and FSIS regulations govern food imports and how do they interact?
Food imports face dual FDA/USDA jurisdiction depending on product type. FDA governs: fruits, vegetables, seafood, processed foods, dietary supplements, and most food products (95%+ of US food imports). FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA) governs: meat, poultry, and egg products — which require country equivalence determination before export to the US is permitted. USDA AMS oversees organic certification and grading. CBP enforces FDA and USDA requirements at entry — all food imports are subject to examination, sampling, and detention.
How does Section 301 affect food and agricultural product imports from China?
Selected Chinese food and agricultural products are subject to Section 301 tariffs. Notably, some processed food products (condiments, prepared foods, additives) in USTR Lists 3 and 4A face 25% additional duty. However, many primary agricultural commodities were excluded or carry 7.5% List 4A rates. The effective impact depends heavily on the specific HTS code — use USTR's Section 301 lists to determine applicability before sourcing. Note that most tropical agricultural products (coffee, cocoa, spices) from China are not major trade flows, so Section 301 primarily affects processed food categories.
Does Taiwan have a free trade agreement with the United States?
No. Taiwan and the US do not have a formal FTA. The US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade (launched 2022) covers trade facilitation, digital trade, and labor standards but does not provide tariff preferences. Taiwanese goods pay standard MFN rates. Despite no FTA, Taiwan is a top-10 US trading partner — ITA zero rates cover most semiconductor and electronics trade, offsetting the absence of FTA access.
Are Taiwanese semiconductors and electronics subject to any additional US tariffs?
Taiwan is not subject to Section 301 tariffs. Section 232 applies to Taiwanese steel and aluminum. Semiconductors and most electronics from Taiwan benefit from ITA zero rates. The US CHIPS Act incentivizes US domestic semiconductor manufacturing but does not create tariff restrictions on Taiwanese imports — the strategic US-Taiwan trade relationship remains strong and tariff conditions stable as of 2026.
What compliance documentation is required to import semiconductors from Taiwan?
TSMC and other Taiwan-origin semiconductors require: correct Schedule B/HTS classification (HTS 8542.31–8542.39 for ICs), EAR classification for advanced chips with potential dual-use applications, FCC Part 15 compliance for finished electronic devices, and end-use/end-user certifications for advanced AI chips or high-bandwidth memory subject to export control. Maintain full technical specifications for CBP classification review.

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View full Taiwan tariff profile → Browse all import guides → Calculate landed cost →

Import duty rates are sourced from the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule and USTR Section 301 lists. Rates reflect current published schedules as of 2026-05-16 and are subject to change. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or customs brokerage advice. Verify rates with a licensed customs broker before importing.