To ensure national security, fulfill international cooperation and convention obligations, and strengthen the export management of goods within free trade zones (FTZs), Taichung Customs reminds FTZ enterprises to verify whether their goods are classified as Strategic High-Tech Commodities (SHTC) or other export-controlled items prior to exporting abroad. Enterprises must obtain the required export permits in advance to avoid penalties resulting from unfamiliarity with regulations.

Taichung Customs explains that pursuant to Subparagraph 2, Paragraph 1, Article 16 of the Act for the Establishment and Management of Free Trade Zones, goods exported abroad that fall under the category of SHTCs require approval from the competent authority, the International Trade Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs (TITA), before they may be exported. In addition to items explicitly listed on the export control inventory, SHTCs also encompass goods that, even if unlisted, may have end-uses or end-users involving the production or development of military weapons such as nuclear, biological, chemical, or missile systems. Enterprises must exercise heightened vigilance regarding such potential controls.

Furthermore, for goods exported from FTZs to restricted regions or countries—such as Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Mainland China (specifically covering 12 categories of semiconductor wafer manufacturing equipment), Sudan, and Syria—enterprises shall comply with relevant regulations governing the import and export management of SHTCs. They must verify whether the destination, end-use, and end-user are subject to control. If a permit is required, an application for export authorization must be submitted to the TITA in advance, and warehouse release shall be processed upon presentation of the relevant licensing documents.
    
Taichung Customs calls upon all FTZ enterprises to strictly implement the principle of “Verify First, Ship Later.” Prior to cargo export, businesses should conduct self-audits to confirm whether the goods are subject to export controls, thoroughly inspect transaction counterparts, end-uses, and end-users, and guard against any circumvention of controls through abnormal transactions or transshipment. Additionally, enterprises must properly preserve product catalogs, specification sheets, descriptions of intended use, and related transactional documents for future audit and inspection. Taichung Customs emphasizes that the agency will continuously reinforce export inspections and legal advocacy within free trade zones, working hand-in-hand with industry stakeholders to uphold Taiwan’s export order and international reputation.