Guide To Taiwan Import of Alcohol Products License

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According to “Tabacco and Alcohol Control Act” in Taiwan, the definition of alcohol is a beverage containing more than 0.5% alcohol by volume, undenatured alcohol that can be used to produce or prepare the beverages, and other products. However, alcoholic preparations that are recognized by the health authorities in Taiwan as medicines according to relevant laws or regulations are not managed as alcohol. If one intends to import the types of alcohol in Taiwan, it is necessary to apply to the Ministry of Finance of Taiwan for an alcohol import business license. The mentioned license does not include the import of undenatured alcohol, which refers to alcohol containing more than 90% alcohol by volume without the addition of denaturants.
The Ministry of Finance in Taiwan is the authority that is responsible for issuing and regulating alcohol import business licenses.
Generally, if all required documents are submitted correctly and the information provided is accurate, the Ministry of Finance in Taiwan will issue the license within 4 to 6 weeks.

 

  1. Businesses Requiring an Alcohol Import License
    According to “Tabacco and Alcohol Control Act” in Taiwan, the definition of alcohol is a beverage containing more than 0.5% alcohol by volume, undenatured alcohol that can be used to produce or prepare the beverages, and other products. However, alcoholic preparations that are recognized by the health authorities in Taiwan as medicines according to relevant laws or regulations are not managed as alcohol. If one intends to import the types of alcohol in Taiwan, it is necessary to apply to the Ministry of Finance of Taiwan for an alcohol import business license.
  2. Conditions for Applying for an Alcohol Import LicenseBefore applying for an alcohol import business license to the Taiwan Ministry of Finance, applicants must meet the following requirements:
    (a)

    Company Registration

    Individuals intending to operate an alcohol import business in Taiwan must first complete the company registration process in Taiwan. For detailed procedures and costs related to registering a company in Taiwan, please refer to our guide on “Procedures and Costs for Registering a Company in Taiwan.” Foreign companies may also register a branch in Taiwan to conduct this business.
    (b)

    Qualifications of the Applicant or Responsible Person

    The company and the responsible person applying for the Taiwan alcohol import business license must not fall under any of the following categories:

    (1)

    The applicant or responsible person is a minor, under guardianship or assistance declaration, or bankrupt;
    (2) The applicant or responsible person who been found to have violated or has previously violated the following provisions of the Taiwan “Tobacco and Alcohol Control Act”:
    (a). Individuals who produce or import illicit tobacco or alcohol;
    (b). Individuals who sell, transport, transfer, or intend to sell, transport, or transfer and display or store illicit tobacco, illicit alcohol, inferior tobacco, or inferior alcohol;
    (c). Individuals who produce or import inferior tobacco or inferior alcohol;
    (d). Individuals who produce or import inferior tobacco or inferior alcohol containing substances that pose significant health risks;
    (3)

    Operators whose tobacco or alcohol import establishment permit has been revoked or annulled by the finance department less than three years ago. This does not apply to operators who have ceased their tobacco or alcohol business and have had their factory registration revoked or annulled;
    (4) The applicant or responsible person was previously responsible for a tobacco or alcohol import business whose establishment permit was revoked or annulled by the competent authority in Taiwan less than three years ago. This does not apply to individuals who have ceased their tobacco or alcohol business and have not operated a tobacco or alcohol import business for two consecutive years, leading to the annulment of their establishment permit.
  3. Alcohol Import License Application Process
    The following describes the process for applying for a Taiwan alcohol import license, using the example of a client commissioning Kaizen to handle the license application process.
    (1)
    The client confirms the commissioning of Kaizen to handle the license application matters and emails the required materials for the license application to Kaizen.
    (2)
    Kaizen prepares the necessary documents for the license application, then arranges for the client to sign the license application documents (Kaizen will email the prepared application documents to the client, who will sign them and return them to Kaizen).
    (3) After receiving the signed documents, Kaizen applies to the Taiwan Ministry of Finance for the establishment permit.
    (4)
    Once the company registration is approved, Kaizen applies to the Taiwan Ministry of Finance for the issuance of the license.
    (5) Kaizen arranges for the payment of the license fee and collect the license.
  4. Application Procedure for Alcohol Import Business LicenseWhen applying for an alcohol import business license to the Taiwan Ministry of Finance, the applicant needs to prepare the following documents:
    • Properly filled out and signed application form and declaration;
    • A copy of the front and back of the passport of the Taiwan company representative or the Taiwan ID card.
  5. Time Required for License Application
    Applying for Alcohol Products Import License in Taiwan is divided into two stages: the first stage is applying for the business establishment permit, and after the company registration is complete, the second stage is applied for the issuance of the license. Generally, if all required documents and information are provided as requested, the application can be approved as quickly as within 4 to 6 weeks.
  6. License Renewal
    The alcohol import business license in Taiwan does not require annual renewal, but an annual government fee must be paid to maintain the license. After getting the permit, the license fee for the following year must be paid before December 31st each year. Please note that applicants or responsible persons of tobacco and alcohol import businesses should not be minors, individuals under guardianship or assistance, or bankrupt individuals. If the company’s responsible person is under guardianship or assistance or is bankrupt, they must apply for a change of responsible person to the competent authority in Taiwan within 30 days from the date of occurrence. If the application is not made within the deadline, the competent authority will revoke its establishment permit.

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