Taipei Customs stated that, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s announcement in October 2025, approving 14 heated tobacco products items and four component products through the health risk assessment review, the Ministry of Finance amended the “Regulations Governing the Declaration, Inspection, Duty, and Release of Personal Luggage or Goods of Inward Passengers” on January 30, 2026. Under the amendment, these designated tobacco products that have passed the competitive authority’s health risk assessment review are now included within the category of duty-free tobacco products.
The approved heated tobacco products have been available for sale in domestic duty-free shops since February 2026. Currently, travelers are allowed to bring designated “heated tobacco products”,purchased from duty-free shops at Taiwan’s international airports, into Taiwan. Taipei Customs reminds travelers not to purchase heated tobacco products overseas and carry them into Taiwan, as doing so may result in penalties.
Taipei Customs further explained that, pursuant to the aforementioned Regulations, travelers aged 20 or above are entitled to bring in duty-free tobacco products for personal use up to one of the following quantities:
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200 pieces of cigarettes
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25 pieces of cigars
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1 pound of tobacco
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200 pieces of designated tobacco products approved through the health risk assessment review process
Travelers purchasing heated tobacco products from duty-free shops at Taiwan’s international airports are advised to notice the duty-free allowance.
Finally, Taipei Customs noted that customs officers at Taiwan Taoyuan International airport have seized 384 cases involving the illegal importation of heated tobacco products, totaling nearly 28,000 cartons. Taipei Customs reminds travelers to confirm the applicable regulations before bringing heated tobacco products into Taiwan. Travelers with questions regarding customs clearance may visit the Customs website or call the toll-free hotline at 0800-311006 for assistance. Travelers may also choose to clear customs through the Red Channel declaration counter upon arrival to ensure smooth customs clearance and protect their rights and interests.