China’s Taiwan Alcoholic Beverage Regulation

1. Definition

According to the Tobacco and Alcohol Administration Act, alcoholic beverages refer to beverages having an alcohol content by volume of more than 0.5%.

As per the Enforcement Rules of the Tobacco and Alcohol Administration Act, alcoholic beverages can be classified into the following categories：

 2. Competent Authority

3. Market Access

3.1 Alcohol Importer License Permit

An entity seeking to establish itself as an alcohol importer must submit an application to the central competent authority for an establishment permit. Within two years of obtaining this permit, the entity must submit proof of company registration and apply for a license permit. The alcohol import business may only commence after the license permit is granted.

If the entity fails to apply within two years of obtaining the establishment permit, the establishment permit will be deemed invalid, unless otherwise approved by the central competent authority with legitimate reasons.

The license permit for an alcohol importer shall specify the following matters:

• The name of the importer.

• The categories of business operated.

• The location of the head office.

• The name of the responsible person.

• Any other matters required by the central competent authority.

For further details, refer to the Tobacco and Alcohol Administration Act, and Regulations Governing the Review and Issuance of Establishment and License Permits for Tobacco and Alcohol Businesses.

3.2 Import Inspection

Alcoholic beverages imported to Taiwan are subject to import inspection by the central competent authority. The importer is required to submit the following documents for inspection:

• Application form for inspection of imported alcohol;

• Photocopy of the Customs import declaration;

• Declaration form for the basic information of the imported alcoholic beverages (including paper copies of the labeling specimen page or illustration)

• Certificate of origin;

• Other mandatory documents when applicable (e.g., imported alcohol for repackaging must be accompanied by a certificate of origin issued by the government or an authorized chamber of commerce of the country of origin. )

The inspection authority may conduct inspections with the following measures, taking into account the product features, inspection history, and other safety concerns.

• Lot-by-lot inspection

• Lot-sampling inspection (sampling probability shall be no less than 5% per lot)

• Release-after-documentary examination

Inspection items of general imported alcoholic beverages are outlined in the table. Additional items may be inspected based on safety concerns.

More details on alcohol beverage import inspection can be found in the Administrative Regulations Governing the Inspection of Imported Alcohol.

4 Product Compliance

4.1 Hygiene Standards

4.2 Label

Prepackaged alcoholic beverages must display the following information on the containers in direct contact with the alcohol:

• Name of the brand

• Type of product

• Alcohol content

• Country of origin

• Name, address and telephone of the overseas producer and the importer in Taiwan

• Production batch number

• Volume

• Health warnings (e.g., excessive drinking endangers health)

• Mandatory when applicable (e.g., expiration date for alcohol products with an alcohol content of 7% or less, or those packaged in plastic or paper containers)

Imported alcoholic beverages should not display any information not present on the original labeling. If an alcohol producer uses alcohol products from another producer as raw material, the original alcohol's place of origin, flavor, or related terms must not be indicated on the final product. Moreover, no translated text or terms such as "kind," "type," "style," "imitation," or any similar indications or supplemental explanations may be used to indicate production in another place of origin.

More labeling requirements for alcoholic beverages can be found in the Tobacco and Alcohol Administration Act, Enforcement Rules of the Tobacco and Alcohol Administration Act, and Regulations Governing the Labeling of the Alcohol Products.

5. Selling and Advertising

Alcoholic beverages cannot be sold or transferred via automatic vending machines, mail order, electronic commerce, or any other method that does not verify the age of the purchasers.

An alcohol beverage seller shall conspicuously display the following warnings at the entrance and exit of its retail venue or other appropriate locations:

• Don’t drive after drinking.

• Persons under 18 are prohibited from drinking.

• This establishment does not sell alcohol to anyone under 18.

Alcohol beverage advertisements and promotions must prominently display warnings such as" Driving After Drinking is Prohibited" "Excessive Drinking Endangers Health" or equivalent wording, and shall not:

• Violate of public order and good morals.

• Encourage or advocate the consumption of alcohol.

• Target children or youths, or harming the mental and physical wellbeing of children, youths, or pregnant women.

• Contain deceptive, exaggerated, fabricated, or misleading content.

• Implicitly or explicitly suggest medical or health benefits

• Involve other matters publicly prohibited by the central competent authority.

More details can be found in the Tobacco and Alcohol Administration Act, Enforcement Rules of the Tobacco and Alcohol Administration Act, and Regulations Governing the Labeling of the Alcohol Products. 

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 Covered Countries

China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, United States, European Union, Australia, New Zealand etc.

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• Food Ingredient Review

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