Chinese (Mandarin) is the official language. In addition, various dialects such as Taiwanese or southern Chinese Hakka are spoken. Many people speak some English in tourist areas. Taxi drivers generally only speak Chinese.
[*] These public holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year. There may also be slight deviations from the stated date.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be imported into Taiwan duty-free (persons aged 20 and over): 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 500 g of tobacco; 1 bottle (max. 1 l) of alcoholic beverages; perfume for personal use; Items for personal use up to NT$10,000 (used items) and up to NT$20,000 (new items) provided the traveler was more than 30 days from the last visit to Taiwan.
Import Restrictions
Electrical and electronic devices must be declared in writing upon entry. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Prohibited Imports
Narcotics and drugs of all kinds (a doctor’s certificate is required if certain medications are required), weapons, ammunition, toy guns, fresh agricultural products (especially fruit) and meat products (fresh and canned), gambling items, slot machines, lottery tickets, counterfeits of all kinds and communist writings and goods manufactured in communist countries. Violations of customs regulations in relation to fruit and meat/meat products invariably result in fines of between €80 and €400.
Contact addresses
Taipei Representation in the Federal Republic of Germany
Further Taipei representations in Frankfurt/M., Hamburg and Munich.
Although many business people speak English, an interpreter is sometimes required. Appointments for meetings should be arranged in advance and business cards are customary. Punctuality is expected. Business hours: Mon-Fri 08.30-17.30, Sat 09.00-12.00.
Business contacts
Taipei Trade Office Rheinstrasse 29, D-60325 Frankfurt/MTel: (069) 74 57 20/22. Internet: http://eweb.trade.gov.tw Berlin branch (Tel: (030) 20 36 13 00). German Economic Bureau Taipei4F, no. 4, Ming-Sheng East Road, Sec. 3, Taipei 104 Tel: (02) 25 06 90 28. Internet: www.dwb-taipei.org.tw Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vienna Wagramer Strasse 19/11, A-1220 Vienna Tel: (01) 212 47 20. Internet: www.taipei.at Taipei Trade OfficeKirchenfeldstrasse 14, CH-3005 BernTel: (031) 352 27 15.Internet: http://eweb.trade.gov.tw Ministry of Economic Affairs ROC15 Fuzhou Street, Taipei 10015Tel: ( 02) 23 21 2200 Internet: http://w2kdmz1.moea.gov.tw/english/index. aspTaiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)333 Keelung Road, 5th-7th Floors, Sec. 1, Taipei 110 Tel: (02) 27 25 52 00. Internet: www.taiwantrade.com.tw
Communication
Phone
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the country code is 00886. Public telephones from which direct long-distance calls can be made are marked with a yellow sign. For international calls with an international operator you have to dial 100. The public phones can be used with coins or phone cards. The phone cards are available from ATMs and 7-Eleven stores, among others.
Mobile phone
4G (LTE). Network operators include T Star, Chunghwa and Far Eastone. International roaming contracts exist. In most cases, however, it is worth purchasing a Taiwanese prepaid SIM card.
Internet
Internet cafes are common. 7-Eleven stores and McDonald’s restaurants offer free wireless Internet access. Tourists and business people can use the “iTaiwan” WiFi hotspots for free. Travelers who wish to use this service can obtain their own account number and password upon presentation of their passport at a local Taiwan Tourism Bureau service counter or visitor center.
Post office
Mail to Europe takes 6-12 days to arrive. The post offices in the larger cities also accept poste restante items. There is a post office in the Taipei World Trade Center.
