Shipping Cost from San Francisco, California to Taipei

Registering Your Car in Taiwan After importing your car from the USA to Taiwan, you must complete several steps to legally register and drive it in the country. Taiwan's vehicle import regulations require compliance with emissions, safety, and tax standards before your vehicle can receive final approval.

Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances (under 500 miles), but for long cross-country moves (over 1,000 miles), shipping can become comparable or even cheaper when factoring in your time, food, lodging, and significant vehicle wear-and-tear, making driving less cost-effective despite lower upfront gas costs. The decision balances direct fuel savings against the hidden costs and time commitment of a long drive, with shipping offering convenience and preserving your car's mileage and condition.

Taiwan imposes duties of up to 52.5 percent on imported vehicles, comprising a 17.5 percent tariff, a 25 to 30 percent commodity tax and a 5 percent business tax, according to the Ministry of Finance. In addition, a 10 percent luxury tax is levied on vehicles with a retail price of more than NT$3 million (US$100,150).