Importing a Container House to Taiwan, Done Right
Because the sea route from mainland China to Taiwan is among the shortest and cheapest in the world, and because Taiwan’s factory-built housing prices are so high, the vast majority of container houses used in Taiwan are imported from China factory-direct. For a licensed customs broker (報關行) it is a routine, well-established process — but for a buyer seeing it the first time, the duty, the tax, the paperwork, and the port choice can look like a maze.
Here is the straight version: importing a container house to Taiwan costs a small fraction of buying local, it clears through a licensed broker in a few days, and the landed-cost difference between the three main ports is small. What trips buyers up is not the process — it’s failing to budget the duty, business tax, port handling, and inland trucking on top of the factory price.
This guide gives you the full cost picture, the customs classification and rates, who can import, and the exact process — so your first shipment is smooth.
Landed Cost to Taiwan: The Full Picture
Prices below use the EasiHive 2026 global system (flat pack from $1,800, expandable from $4,500, folding from $2,000, space capsule from $4,000 for 20ft models), with factory prices FOB from the China factory.
Landed Cost by Model and Port
| Model | Factory (FOB) | Landed Keelung | Landed Taichung | Landed Kaohsiung |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Flat Pack | $1,800–$2,500 | $2,300–$3,300 | $2,250–$3,200 | $2,200–$3,150 |
| 40ft Flat Pack | $3,200–$4,500 | $4,100–$5,700 | $4,000–$5,600 | $3,900–$5,500 |
| 20ft Folding | $2,000–$4,000 | $2,600–$4,800 | $2,550–$4,700 | $2,500–$4,650 |
| 20ft Expandable | $4,500–$6,000 | $5,300–$7,100 | $5,200–$7,000 | $5,100–$6,900 |
| 40ft Expandable | $8,000–$12,000 | $9,400–$14,000 | $9,200–$13,800 | $9,000–$13,600 |
Landed cost = factory + ocean freight + clearance (duty + business tax) + port handling. Because the China–Taiwan sea leg is only 1–4 days, the freight difference between ports is measured in a few hundred dollars, not thousands — route to whichever port is nearest your site, since inland trucking from Kaohsiung to Taipei can cost more than the sea leg itself.
Flat pack units consolidate 6–8 per 40ft container, so bulk orders (25+ units) cut per-unit freight by 40–60%.
Customs Classification and Duty Rates
Taiwan’s customs classification (CCC, 中華民國商品標準分類) follows the international HS system to six digits. A complete prefabricated building of iron or steel enters under CCC 9406.20, with a base import duty typically 5–10% of CIF value depending on the binding tariff schedule:
| CCC Code | Description | Typical Duty |
|---|---|---|
| 9406.20 | Prefabricated buildings of iron or steel | 5–10% |
| 9406.90 | Prefabricated buildings of other materials | 5–10% |
| 7308.90 | Steel structures and parts | varies by chapter |
Plus the 5% business tax (營業稅) assessed on the CIF + duty base. Some suppliers ship units as flat-panelled components that could theoretically classify under Chapter 73 (steel structures); in practice, entering complete buildings under 9406 keeps documentation clean and matches building-permit paperwork. Your broker confirms the exact rate for your cargo at booking.
ECFA: Don’t Assume Zero Duty
The Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA, 兩岸經濟合作架構協議) early-harvest list provides zero tariff for some goods, but prefabricated buildings have generally not been included — so container houses imported from China pay the standard rate. No separate “anti-dumping” surcharge applies to prefab container buildings at the time of writing, but tariff schedules change; always confirm the effective rate with your broker at booking.
For the step-by-step global import process with production, QC, and payment timeline, see How to Import a Container House from China.
Additional Taiwan Costs to Budget
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Customs clearance agent fee (報關行) | NT$3,000–$8,000 per shipment |
| Import duty (CCC 9406 prefab steel buildings) | ~5–10% of CIF value, confirmed at booking |
| Business tax (營業稅) | 5% on CIF + duty base |
| Port handling / container terminal charges | NT$5,000–$15,000 |
| Inland trucking (port to site) | NT$8,000–$40,000 by distance and unit size |
| Foundation (per unit) | NT$20,000–$80,000 |
| Utility connections (typical house) | NT$50,000–$150,000 |
| Crane or forklift for installation | NT$8,000–$20,000 per day |
For a full line-item, all-in budget on a finished unit, see the Container House Price per Ping in Taiwan.
Who Can Import, and the Process
You can import as either a registered Taiwanese company (using your 統一編號 (unified business tax ID)) or as an individual. Companies clear faster and can reclaim the 5% business tax as input credit when the structure is used in their own taxable business; individuals use a licensed customs broker who acts as the declarant (報關人). Either way, a licensed broker files the entry.
Customs Clearance Steps
- Shipment departs China with full export documentation (invoice, packing list, bill of lading).
- Vessel arrives at Kaohsiung, Taichung, or Keelung.
- Your broker (報關行) files the import declaration (進口報單) with Taiwanese Customs (海關關務署).
- Duty (關稅) and business tax (營業稅) are assessed on the CIF value and paid.
- Customs inspects if flagged (usually a document review; occasionally physical inspection).
- Cargo is released for pickup or trucking to your site.
Clearance Support from EasiHive
For first-time importers, a door-to-door (DDP) quote — where the supplier’s forwarder handles freight, clearance, and delivery to your Taiwanese address — removes most of the friction. EasiHive supports both DDP and EXW/FOB deliveries and provides full clearance-ready documentation (commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and bill of lading) your broker needs for every shipment.
FAQ
How much does it cost to import a container house to Taiwan from China?
Landed to Kaohsiung, Taichung, or Keelung, a 20ft flat pack runs $2,200–$3,300, a 20ft folding $2,500–$4,800, and a 20ft expandable $5,100–$7,100 all-in. On top of the landed price, budget for foundation, utilities, inland trucking, and installation.
What import duty applies to container houses in Taiwan?
Complete prefabricated steel buildings enter under CCC 9406.20 with a base duty of typically 5–10% of CIF value, plus 5% business tax on the CIF + duty base. ECFA early-harvest treatment generally does not apply to prefab buildings. Your broker confirms the exact rate at booking.
Can an individual import a container house to Taiwan?
Yes. You can import as an individual through a licensed customs broker (報關行) acting as the declarant. Companies clear faster and can reclaim the 5% business tax as input credit.
Which Taiwan port is best for container house imports?
Route to the port nearest your site — Kaohsiung (south, largest), Keelung (north/Taipei), or Taichung (central). Sea-leg price differences are small; inland trucking is billed per kilometer, so nearest-port routing usually wins.
How long does shipping from China to Taiwan take?
Production takes 15–25 days for a container load; sea transit to Kaohsiung, Taichung, or Keelung is 2–4 days. Budget roughly 4–6 weeks from factory order to arrival, or 6–8 weeks including foundation, installation, and handover.
Does EasiHive handle customs clearance to Taiwan?
Yes. EasiHive offers DDP delivery to your Taiwanese address (where the forwarder handles freight and clearance) or EXW/FOB with full clearance-ready documentation — invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and bill of lading — for your own 報關行 (customs broker). Request a quote.
