Do you have products from a Taiwanese supplier that you want to import to the US? Let this guide for shipping from Taiwan to USA assist you in finding the ideal shipping method based on your needs.
According to the ITA’s market overview on Taiwan, the total trade transactions between Taiwan and the US amounted to $106.2 billion in 2020. In fact, the US is the second-largest trading partner of Taiwan next to China. Other major trading partners of Taiwan include Hong Kong, Japan, and the European Union.
This only proves the potential of Taiwan when it comes to foreign trade. So if you need help in importing Taiwanese products to the United States, this guide is especially for you!
P.S. Are you planning to ship products from China to the Amazon FBA by hiring a freight forwarder? FBABEE can make the shipping process easier and faster for you with the help of our professionals!
Tips on Saving Your Money & Time Before Shipping From Taiwan to US
Know the Restricted and Prohibited Items When Shipping from Taiwan to the US
Do not send restricted or prohibited items to the US without preparing the required permits and documents. Here are the prohibited and restricted items in the United States:
- Biologicals
- Gold
- Cultural Property and Cultural Artifacts
- Merchandise from Embargoed Countries
- Drug Paraphernalia
- Game and Hunting Trophies
- Trademarked Articles
- Fish and Wildlife
- Dog and Cat Fur
- Automobiles
- Defense Articles including Items with Proliferation or Military Applications
- Firearms
- Absinthe
You can find the complete list here: restricted and prohibited to enter the US.
Familiarize Yourself With the Peak Seasons
Avoid sending during peak seasons as much as possible because shipping rates and transit times increase considerably. You can ship during off-peak seasons instead.
Consider Taiwan to US Shipping Time
How much does shipping cost from Taiwan to the United States? This can be affected by the following factors:
- How long the customs clearance will take
- Whether you choose air, sea, or express shipping
- How far the source is from the destination
In general, below are the estimated shipping times for each mode of transportation:
- Air freight: 1-13 days
- Sea freight: 14-38 days
- Express shipping: 1-4 days
Prepare the Required Documents
Your logistics company can prepare the necessary documents for you but there are some documents you need to prepare yourself like:
- The original invoice
- A Packing List
- A Certificate of Origin
- A Letter of Credit or other payment terms
- An Airway Bill for airfreight or Bill of Lading for sea freight
Check the Taipei Customs and the US Customs for more information.
Know the Shipping Cost From Taiwan to US
How much is shipping from Taiwan to the US? This will depend on the following factors:
- What type of goods you are shipping
- The dimensions and weight of your cargo
- The mode of shipping used
- How far the source is from the destination
- Whether it is a door-to-port, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-door delivery
Partner With an Experienced Freight Forwarder
Partnering with a freight forwarder can make the shipping process as seamless as possible. From arranging transportation to customs clearance, they can handle everything for you. This way, you will be able to save more money and time for your business.
Also Read: A Complete Guide to Shipping From China to USA
Choosing Your Options for Taiwan to USA Shipping
You will have three modes of shipping you can choose from when importing your products:
- Air shipping
- Ocean shipping
- Express shipping
We will discuss the key information you need to know for each one in the succeeding sections.
Also Read: A Complete Guide to Shipping From Hong to USA
Air Freight from Taiwan to the United States
- Air Shipping From Taiwan to US Price
- Average Price for 200-kg (1-CBM) loads: $1,905
- Estimated Air Freight Costs/Kilogram:
- 10kg: $58.84
- 100kg: $13.85
- 300 kg: $7.15
- Average Door-To-Door Shipping Rates for 200-KG (1cbm) Loads in Major Routes:
| From/To | Los Angeles | New York | Houston |
| Kaohsiung | $1,802 | $2,021 | $1,974 |
| Taichung | $1,750 | $1,903 | $1,895 |
| Keelung | $1,805 | $2,023 | $1,976 |
- Taiwan to the United States Shipping Time
- Door-to-Door: 6-13 days
- Port-to-Port: 1-5 days
- Recommended Logistic Brands
- Shipa Freight
- Freightos
- China Freight
- Why and When to Choose Air Shipping
- Recommended for perishable and valuable items
- The best option for goods that you need to ship ASAP to the US
- Faster than sea freight for 35kg-99 kg loads at almost the same rates
Also Read: A Complete Guide to Shipping From the Philippines to USA
Sea Freight from Taiwan to the United States
- Options for Sea Freight from Taiwan to the United States
For sea shipping, there are two methods you can choose from:
Ocean/Sea Freight LCL
- Your goods will be sent with consignments from other shippers
- It may take longer compared to FCL shipping because your goods need to be consolidated and deconsolidated
- Cheaper compared to FCL
Ocean/Sea Freight FCL
- You will be using an entire 20-ft or 40-ft container
- Ideal for high-volume shipments
- Pricing is done at a flat rate so you better maximize the space for more savings
Here is a comparison between these two sea shipping methods: FCL vs. LCL.
- Shipping Rates from Taiwan to the United States
Below are the average prices for FCL and LCL shipping:
- FCL (peak season): $2,997
- LCL (200-kg/1-cbm loads): $949
Below are the estimated rates via the major shipping routes from Taiwan to the US for FCL and LCL shipping:
FCL Rates (40-ft Containers)
| From/To | Los Angeles | New York | Houston |
| Kaohsiung | $1,535 | $3,110 | $2,967 |
| Taichung | $2,083 | $4,581 | $3,508 |
| Keelung | $1,856 | $3,836 | $3,499 |
LCL Rates (200-kg/1-cbm loads)
| From/To | Los Angeles | New York | Houston |
| Kaohsiung | $885 | $1,029 | $955 |
| Taichung | $911 | $1,047 | $975 |
| Keelung | $840 | $985 | $912 |
- Sea Shipping Transit Time from Taiwan to the USA
- FCL
- Door-to-Door: 24-28 days
- Port-to-Port: 14-19 days
- LCL
- Door-to-Door: 22-27 days
- Port-to-Port: 15-38 days
- FCL
- Recommended Logistic Brands
- Shipa Freight
- Freightos
- China Freight
- Why and When to Choose Ocean Shipping
- The cheapest mode of transportation
- More options when it comes to goods you can send
- You have LCL and FCL shipping options
Read more about the comparison between air freight and sea freight here.
Also Read: A Complete Guide to Shipping From Thailand to USA
Express from Taiwan to the United States
- Rates for Express Shipping From Taiwan to the US
The average price for 50-kg (0.2-CBM) loads is $571.
- Express Shipping Time
Express shipping only takes 1-4 days.
- Recommended Logistic Brands
- Dwarka Courier
- DHL
- FedEx
- Why and When to Choose Express Shipping
- For small shipments under 35 kilograms
- Good for product samples, valuable items, and perishable goods
- Fastest mode of shipping
- Always door-to-door shipping
Also Read: A Complete Guide to Shipping From Malaysia to USA
Logistics Options for Taiwan Shipping to US
To make the shipping process easier for you, you can hire professional logistics companies like freight forwarders and shipping agents. Below are the tasks each can do for you:
Freight Forwarders
- Offer air, ocean, and courier shipping options
- Handling customs clearance
- Choose the best route based on your needs
- Door-to-door, port-to-port, door-to-port, and port-to-door delivery options
In addition, you might want to check our list of the best Amazon freight forwarders in the USA and top US freight forwarders.
Shipping Agents
- Handling and transporting your goods
- Clearing customs
- Port-to-port shipping services
- Usually ocean shipping services only
Also Read: Shipping Agents From China to USA
Available Routes for Shipping From Taiwan to the US
Below are the top ports used for shipping goods from Taiwan to the US:
Major Ports in Taiwan
- An-Ping
- Hualien
- Mailiao
- Ma-Kung
- Kaohsiung
- Keelung
- Taichung
- Taipei
- Su-Ao
Major Importing Ports in the USA
- Louisiana
- Houston
- Newark
- Beaumont
- New York
- New Jersey
- Long Beach
- New Orleans
- Hampton Roads
- Corpus Christi
- Los Angeles
- Greater Baton Rouge
Also Read: A Complete Guide to Shipping From Indonesia to USA
Choosing A Reliable Freight Forwarder for Your Needs
Let’s end this blog by sharing with you a few factors that you need to consider if you want to partner with a freight forwarder:
Experience
Having enough experience not only in arranging transportation for your goods but also in handling customs clearance is crucial. The transit time may take a few days but the customs clearance process can take weeks if the proper documents are not submitted.
Proof of Legitimacy
Check if you are transacting with a trustworthy company by making sure that they have a physical address and that they have the necessary certifications.
Service Options
Make sure to confirm if your freight forwarder can cater to your needs. They can offer a variety of options for you to make sure that they match your budget.
Shipping Charges
Quotes may vary, so it is best to check out what different providers can offer before you make a decision. You also need to understand what is included in the quote so you won’t be surprised by additional fees along the way.
Also Read: Shipping Companies From China to USA
Wrapping Up
Choosing the best option based on your shipping needs is important to make sure that you won’t be wasting money and time. So hopefully, this guide has been helpful to you. Feel free to reach out to us if you need help in shipping your items to the Amazon FBA from China.