Taiwan has lifted customs restrictions on cosmetics purchased abroad for personal use, but has maintained limits on medicines, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said yesterday.
Cosmetics still have to meet customs regulations and can only be for personal use, it added.
Previously, customs allowed each person to bring in 36 small cosmetics containers at a time, but no more than 12 of the same product type, FDA Division of Medical Devices and Cosmetics official Wu Ting-yao (吳亭瑤) told a news conference in Taipei.
Photo: CNA
Changes to FDA rules — which went into effect on Monday — abolished limits on the number or type of cosmetics allowed through customs and the regulatory distinction between “generic” and “special” cosmetics, she said.
That means no limits are placed on the amount of sunscreen, antiperspirants, hair dye and hair perm that can clear customs, as long as the products are for personal use, Wu said.
An FDA permit is required to import cosmetics for sale, supply, display or sampling, or for a purpose other than being used as a cosmetic, she said.
The rules permit 36 small containers of over-the-counter drugs per person and no more than 12 containers of the same drug at a time, FDA Division of Medicinal Products Deputy Director Wu Ming-mei (吳明美) said.
Prescription drugs are allowed to be brought into the country, but are limited to six months’ supply per person with a prescription and two months’ supply without one, she said.
Restricted drugs can be brought into Taiwan if the traveler can present a prescription, but they cannot be transported via mail or a private delivery service, Wu said.
Up to 60 bandages, four liquid bandage sticks, 200 cotton swabs, 60 condoms, 120 tampons, 60 disposable contact lenses, one pair of prescription eyeglasses and 250 masks can clear customs for personal use without FDA approval, agency officials said.
Those found to have breached the import rules for cosmetics and medicines face a fine of NT$30,000 to NT$1 million (US$919 to US$30,645), the officials said.
The customs clearance limit for pills and capsules classified as food products is 36 small containers per person, but no more than 12 containers of the same type can be carried at a time, they said.
Additionally, food products cannot exceed the US$1,000 value limit or the 6kg weight limit, they said, adding that those who contravene the rule face a fine of up to NT$3 million.
Since 2021, the administration has investigated 890 cases involving people suspected of selling food products purchased abroad, and fines totaling NT$18.9 million were imposed in 678 of those cases, FDA data showed.
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