Tax-free guide · Asia

Tax-free shopping in Taiwan

Yes. Visitors can claim back business tax (VAT) (5%) on goods they take home through Taiwan VAT refund for foreign travellers (TRS). You need to spend NT$2,000 or more including tax per shop, per day, and some shops refund at the till, otherwise you claim it when you leave. A refund is never automatic: customs has to confirm the export, and operators can deduct a fee.

Last checked 2 November 2026. Figures are estimates, not tax advice.

Taiwan at a glance

StatusRefund available
SchemeTaiwan VAT refund for foreign travellers (TRS)
Tax in the pricebusiness tax (VAT), standard rate 5%
Not yet checked against an official source
Minimum spendNT$2,000 or more including tax per shop, per day
NT$2,000 including VAT at one authorised store on one day. On-site small-amount refund for purchases under NT$48,000 at stores with that label (an English regulation translation still says NT$24,000).
Where you get it backAt the till in some shops, otherwise when you leave
Typical refundAbout 80% of the tax
MOF: operator processing fee equivalent to 20% of the refundable VAT.
Who can claimNon-ROC passport holders staying no more than 183 days. Goods carried out with the traveller; consumables used in Taiwan excluded.
DeadlineGoods leave Taiwan within 90 days of purchase; with on-site refund you must depart within 20 days of the claim or re-claim at the port.
Prices on tagsShelf prices include tax
Not yet checked against an official source

What could you get back?

Here's the arithmetic on a NT$10,000 purchase. The tax inside a price that includes 5% tax is 5/105 of it, about 4.8%.

Example purchase

Taiwan, standard rate

Price you pay, including taxNT$10,000
Tax inside it (5/105 of the price)NT$476
Estimated refundabout NT$381

The European Central Bank doesn't publish a reference rate for TWD, so this page doesn't convert it. The app uses live rates for TWD.

An estimate, not a promise. Goods at a reduced rate get back less, and you only get a refund if customs and the operator approve your claim.

How to claim the refund in Taiwan

Bring your passport. Shops need to see it to sell tax-free. Non-ROC passport holders staying no more than 183 days. Goods carried out with the traveller; consumables used in Taiwan excluded.
Spend enough in one go. Spend NT$2,000 or more including tax per shop, per day and ask the shop for the tax refund form.
Ask about a refund at the till. Some shops take the tax off at the till or refund it on the spot. Otherwise you pay the full price and claim later.
Keep the goods unused and with you. Customs can ask to see them when you leave, so keep them in your hand luggage until the claim is done.
Validate the claim when you leave. Have the form validated by customs or at a kiosk when you leave Taiwan. Goods leave Taiwan within 90 days of purchase; with on-site refund you must depart within 20 days of the claim or re-claim at the port.
Collect the refund. The shop or refund operator pays you, usually by card or in cash, less any fee it charges.

Want the real cost of a price tag here? Try the refund calculator, and read why you should always pay in local currency.

Questions

How much is the tax refund in Taiwan?

Business tax (VAT) is 5%, so the tax inside a price is 5/105 of it, about 4.8%. On a NT$10,000 purchase that's NT$476, and you could get back about NT$381, around 80% of the tax, which is the share the official source gives after the operator's fee. It's an estimate: reduced-rate goods get back less and every claim needs approval. Last checked 2 November 2026.

What is the minimum spend for tax-free shopping in Taiwan?

NT$2,000 or more including tax per shop, per day.

Where do I claim the tax refund in Taiwan?

At the till in some shops, otherwise when you leave. Goods leave Taiwan within 90 days of purchase; with on-site refund you must depart within 20 days of the claim or re-claim at the port.

Is it cheaper to buy things in Taiwan?

Only if the price on your card, after any tax refund you'll actually get, beats the price at home. Convert the tag at the mid-market rate, add your card's foreign transaction fee (often around 3% on bank cards, 0% on travel cards), then take off the refund estimate, and compare. Always pay in the local currency, because the shop's conversion costs more. Priceglot does this for every tag you point it at.

Sources

MOF R.O.C. - Taiwan Tax Refund for Foreign Tourists (checked 2 November 2026)
MOF R.O.C. - Special Benefits for Foreign Travelers on shopping Tax Refunds (checked 2 November 2026)

Last checked 2 November 2026.