TAIPEI (TVBS News) — As global travel restrictions have relaxed, Taiwan has experienced a surge in travel, mirroring the global trend of "vacation vengeance" that emerged following the easing of pandemic regulations last year.
The Ministry of Finance (MOF), referencing data from the Customs Administration, reported a significant increase in travel, with around 8.42 million passengers recorded in the first nine months of 2023.
While the relaxation of travel restrictions has positively impacted Taiwan, stringent rules regarding tax exemption amounts have caused public frustration. Many returning residents have faced customs inspections for exceeding the purchase limit for goods.
The current tax exemption limit for returning residents is set at NT＄20,000, as stipulated by the "Regulations Governing the Declaration, Inspection, Duty and Release of Personal Luggage or Goods of Inward Passengers."
The public has expressed concerns that the existing duty-free allowance for inbound personal luggage is insufficient. Consequently, the MOF is contemplating an increase in the duty-free limit to between NT＄30,000 and NT＄40,000.
Hsu Sheng-sheng, Chief of the MOF Customs Affairs Division, acknowledged that the current regulations, established in 1989, have not been updated for over three decades and require reassessment.
Considering the rising cost of overseas goods and significant increases in Taiwan's gross national income (GNI), and noting higher duty exemptions in countries like Japan and South Korea, the MOF confirmed that discussions are in progress to revise the current policies governing overseas travel.
