The Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance stated that Chairman Su Jia－Chyuan of the Taiwan－Japan Relations Association and Chairman SUMI Shuzo of the Japan－Taiwan Exchange Association signed the memorandum on cooperation in regional customs on December 4, 2025, during the 49th Taiwan－Japan Economic and Trade Conference. This marks the third time that Taiwan and Japan have signed a regional customs cooperation memorandum, which carries significant meaning for enhancing bilateral customs exchanges.
Director General（DG）Baba Yoshiro of Kobe Customs, along with Japanese customs officers, attended the signing ceremony in Taiwan as witnesses. On the Taiwanese side, Director Liu Fang－Chu of Kaohsiung Customs and Deputy Director Wu Shu－Hua Department of Planning of the Customs Administration also attended the ceremony.
The Customs Administration explained that DG Baba of Kobe Customs led a delegation to visit Kaohsiung Customs in May this year, where they exchanged views regarding the content of the memorandum, demonstrating the importance both sides place on their cooperation. Through this memorandum, Kaohsiung and Kobe Customs will further enhance regional cooperation, exchange views on customs－related issues, and share experiences in implementing relevant measures. Regular meetings will be held to conduct on-site visits and experience exchanges, serving as a reference for future improvements in enforcement measures.
The Customs Administration further added that Taiwan and Japan have actively promoted regional customs cooperation. The first memorandum on cooperation in regional customs was signed between the Songshan Branch of Taipei Customs and the Haneda Branch of Tokyo Customs on February 18, 2022, and another between Keelung Customs and Yokohama Customs on December 12, 2023. Following the signing of these memoranda, several bilateral meetings and visits have been conducted, during which both sides exchanged views on customs clearance measures, enforcement operations, tax refund services for travelers, etc., reaching fruitful results.
The signing of the memorandum on cooperation between Kaohsiung and Kobe Customs－both of which handle maritime and air transport operations－will further expand the scope of customs cooperation between Taiwan and Japan and mark a new milestone in the development of Taiwan’s international customs affairs.
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