White Paper for Public Services - trade.gov.t 3 Preface Foreign trade is the major impetus behind Taiwan’s economic development. The Bureau of Foreign Trade (the BOFT) under the

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White Paper for Public Services

Published by Bureau of Foreign Trade Ministry of Economic Affairs

December 2013

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Table of Contents Preface ............................................................................................................................. 3

Methods of Communication ............................................................................................ 4

I. Organization of the Bureau of Foreign Trade, MOEA ............................................... 5

II. Chart of Our Service Team ...................................................................................... 6

III. Our Services .......................................................................................................... 9

A. Services to exporters ....................................................................................... 9

B. Services to importers ..................................................................................... 11

C. Registration of importers/exporters .............................................................. 14

D. Export/Import document visa operation ....................................................... 18

E. Import and export commodity classification ................................................. 20

F. Application for certificate of origin (C/O) ....................................................... 23

G. Trade promotion services .............................................................................. 25

H. Services provided in response to international trade protection measures ... 27

I. Putting the objectives of the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) into effect ......................................................................... 30

J. Procedures for business people applying for an APEC Business Travel Card ... 31

K. Trade services provided by the BOFT’s Kaohsiung Office and at the MOEA’s Joint Service Center for Central Taiwan .......................................................... 33

L. Economic and Trade Information Websites of the Bureau of Foreign Trade ... 34

IV. Our Norms of Public Service ................................................................................ 42

V. Further Services That We Offer ............................................................................ 45

VI. Anti-corruption Filing, Appealing and Services for the Public .............................. 46

Anti-corruption Hot Lines .................................................................................. 46

Figure 10: Flowchart for Making Appeals & Complaints to BOFT ....................... 47

Figure 11: BOFT’s Processing of the “Service Questionnaire for the Public” ...... 48

VII. Map of Taipei and Kaohsiung BOFT Offices ........................................................ 49

VIII. BOFT’s Service Questionnaire for The Public ..................................................... 50

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Preface

Foreign trade is the major impetus behind Taiwan’s economic development. The

Bureau of Foreign Trade (the BOFT) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs has assumed

responsibility for Taiwan’s external trade development since its establishment on

January 1st, 1969. Its main duty is to draw up and implement trade policies and

regulations, manage trade-related activities, and so on.

Since serving the public is our regular ongoing work, implementing trade policies

and amending relevant trade laws directly or indirectly impact the people’s rights and

interests. The BOFT thus adheres to the spirit of “service first” and requires all its

employees to be “friendly, sincere, and efficient” in serving the public. To help people

learn more about us—our organizational structure, occupational duties, operations, and

service measures—we are publishing this White Paper for Public Services. We

respectfully ask for your comments and suggestions that we can use in our ongoing

efforts to improve our quality of service.

Chun-Fu Chang

Director General

Bureau of Foreign Trade

Ministry of Economic Affairs

December 2013

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Methods of Communication Have you encountered any difficulties in your Import/Export business? Are you satisfied

with our services? We welcome your suggestions. Please contact us through the

following offices:

1. Head Office, Bureau of Foreign Trade, MOEA

Address: 1 Hu Kou Street, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Tel: 886-2-2351-0271, 0800-002-571

Fax: 886-2-2351-3603/886-2-2351-7080

E-mail: [email protected]

2. Kaohsiung Office, Bureau of Foreign Trade, MOEA

Address: 2F., 103, Jhongjheng 4th Rd., Kaohsiung 80147, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Tel: 886-7-271-1171, 0800-668-682

Fax: 886-7-281-1396

E-mail: [email protected]

3. Joint Services Center (Central Taiwan), MOEA

Address: 7F., 503, Sec. 2, Liming Rd., Nantun District, Taichung 40873, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Tel: 886-4-2252-1111

Fax: 886-4-2251-3736

4. If you have any suggestion or comment, please feel free to contact us via the BOFT’s

website (http://www.trade.gov.tw/), or fill out the last page of this White Paper

(“BOFT’s Questionnaire for the Public”) and then mail it to the BOFT. Your input is

highly appreciated, as we use it to improve our services.

5. The website “My E-Government” is a communication channel dedicated to handling

information inquiries, on-line applications, and so on. The website is:

http://www.gov.tw.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.trade.gov.tw/

http://www.gov.tw/

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I. Organization of the Bureau of Foreign Trade, MOEA

Multilateral Trade Affairs Division (WTO, OECD, APEC and other international economic and trade organizations)

Kaohsiung Branch Office (Trade management business, providing services for importers

and exporters, and trade promotion)

Trade Promotion Fund Management Committee, MOEA (Managing the MOEA trade promotion fund)

業務）

Bilateral Trade Division I (Asia, Middle East, Oceania, Mainland China and Mongolia)

Bilateral Trade Division II

(Europe, the Americas and Africa)

Trade Development Division (Trade promotion)

Export/ Import Division administration (Trade management business and providing services for importers and exporters)

聲明異議審議委員會（貿易處分異議案件之審議）

貨品分類委員會（貨品分類之審議及編印）聯絡

貨品管

台北世貿南港小組（推動興建國際展覽館）

貨品分類委員會（貨品分類之審議及編印）聯絡

理及廠

商服務事項）

Secretariat (Documentation, general administration, and press releases)

Planning Committee (Integrated planning, research and assessment)

Accounting Office

Personnel Office

Civil Service Ethics Office

Statistics Office

Taipei Exhibition Center Task Force (Construction of international exhibition halls)

Information Management Center

(Planning and managing computer and information-related affairs)

ECFA Task Force (Consultations on the agreements on trade in goods and services cross-strait)

Trade Security and Export Control Task Force (Export and import administration of strategic high-tech commodities)

聯絡等事項）

Congressional Liaison Unit (Congressional liaison affairs)

Director General

Deputy Director General

Deputy Director General

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II. Chart of Our Service Team

Title and Division Job Description Telephone

Director General Supervising all Bureau affairs (02)2321-9947

Deputy Director General Assistance on handling all Bureau affairs (02)2321-4945

Deputy Director General Assistance on handling all Bureau affairs (02)2358-4338

Chief of Secretariat Assistance on handling all Bureau affairs and

supervising office matters (02)2321-6476

Director, Multilateral Trade

Affairs Division

Managing affairs relating to the WTO, APEC, OECD,

and other international trade and economic

organizations

(02)2391-6258

(02)2397-7201

Director, First Bilateral Trade

Division

Managing bilateral economic and trade affairs with

the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Mainland Chinese

regions

(02)2391-6320

(02)2397-7241

Director, Second Bilateral

Trade Division

Managing bilateral economic and trade affairs with

European, American and African regions;

supervising and coordinating MOEA’s overseas

offices

(02)2321-9620

(02)2397-7271

Director, Trade Development

Division

Managing trade promotion policies and contacts

with industrial and business groups

(02 2341-3676

(02)2397-7301

Director, Export/Import

Administration Division

Handling trade management and providing services

for industrial sectors

(02)2321-2655

(02)2397-7341

Deputy Director,

Export/Import


Assistance on trade management and servicing

businesses

(02)2394-4521

(02)2397-7342

(02)2321-3864

(02)2397-7343

First Section Chief,

Export/Import


Import / export management for chemical products,

pharmaceutical products, cosmetics preparations,

machinery and mechanical appliances and electrical

equipment; export management on matters

involving intellectual property rights for those fail to

or untruthfully declare trademarks; collection of

Trade Promotion Service Fees; and registration of

various certificates (including CITES) and other

documentation.

(02)2341-4828

(02)2397-7348

Second Section Chief,

Export/Import


The import / export management for agricultural

products, foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco,

preparations, printed products, etc. and issuance of

CITES permits.

(02)2393-5042

(02)2397-7362

http://www.trade.gov.tw/bofteng/#First Bilateral Trade Division

http://www.trade.gov.tw/bofteng/#First Bilateral Trade Division

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Third Section Chief,

Export/Import


General operations involving Mainland Chinese

imports and exports; the import / export

management of textiles, stone, ceramics, glassware

and other goods; the mediation of trade disputes;

monitoring iron and steel imports and exports;

reviewing origin marks, goods classification, etc.

(02)2393-0331

(02)2397-7378

Fourth Section Chief,

Export/Import


1. Export/Import management on base metals and

articles of base metal; vehicles, aircraft, vessels

and associated transport equipment;

instruments and apparatus.

2. Import management of Tariff Rate Quota on

passenger cars (allocations and certificates).

3. Export/Import management on hazardous

wastes (Basel Convention).

4. Trade policy, Export/Import monitoring and

product-related foreign negotiations on steel

products; administration of Certificates of Origin;

business related to Rules of Origin in Free Trade

Zones.

5. Export/Import management on rough diamonds.

6. E-commerce affairs.

(02)2393-5861

(02)2397-7370

Deputy Executive Secretary,

Planning Committee

Managing general matters pertaining to planning,

research and evaluation (02)2357-7395

Commercial Attaché,

Strategic High-tech

Commodities Export Control

and C/O Task Force

1. Export/Import management on Strategic

High-tech Commodities

2. Research, evaluation and review

(02)2396-5355

(02)2397-7368


ECFA Task Force

Assistance on affairs relating to ECFA follow-up

agreements and the Cross-Straits Economic

Cooperation Committee

(02)3393-8890

Executive Secretary, Taipei

Exhibition Center Task Force

Managing matters relating to the construction of

the exhibition halls or convention centers (02)3393-1602

Executive Secretary,

Congressional Liaison Unit Congressional liaison affairs (02)2393-1014

Executive Secretary,

Information Management

Center

Managing, planning and implementing the BOFT’s

computer-related affairs (02)2393-5864

Director of Personnel Office Managing personnel matters in BOFT and part of the

MOEA (02)2321-9027

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Director of Accounting Office

Managing the accounting for BOFT, the Trade

Promotion Fund, the overseas Economics Offices,

and so on.

(02)2321-8218

Director of Civil Service Ethics

Office Handling matters pertaining to government ethics (02)2394-8528

Director of Statistics Office Handling matters pertaining to statistics (02)2396-5310

Director of the Kaohsiung

Office Supervising the operations of the Kaohsiung Office (07)261-1592

Deputy Director of the

Kaohsiung Office Assistance on the operations of the Kaohsiung Office (07)261-1596

Section Chief, Export/Import

Administration Section

Export/Import Licensing and Exporter/Importer

company registration (07)251-0006

Section Chief, Trade

Development Section

Trade development and contact services for

industrial and commercial groups (07)251-0079

Section Chief,

Planning Section

General planning and research, evaluation and

review (07)282-6732

Senior Specialist, Secretariat General affairs (documentation, seals, etc.) (07)271-6245


Trade Promotion Fund

Committee, MOEA

Managing the MOEA trade promotion fund (02)2321-8746

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III. Our Services

A. Services to exporters 1. We answer inquiries relating to any export. 2. We issue export permits for special commodities the export of which is restricted

or limited (including revision, cancellation, and reissuance): (1) General Export/Import permits; (2) Export permits for Strategic High-Tech Commodities(SHTCs); (3) Export and re-export permits regulated by CITES. (4) Applications for Optical Disk Manufacturing Implement Export.

3. We also assist traders/manufacturers in solving problems encountered during customs clearance.

Table 1: Documents Required for Businesses Applying for Export Permits

Permit Unit in charge Telephone Documents required when applying

Export/

Import Permit

1st~4th Sections,

Export/Import

Administration

Division

(02)

2397-7349

2397-7355

2397-7359

2397-7360

2397-7366

2397-7270

2397-7371

2397-7414

1. The original and a photocopy of

the letter of approval issued by

the relevant agency.

2. Other documents as stipulated in

regulations.

Export/Import

Administration

Section,

Kaohsiung Office

(07)

271-1171, ext.

253

Export Permit for Strategic

High-Tech Commodities

Trade Security and Export Control

Task Force

(02)

2397-7365

2397-7394

2397-7369

2397-7329

1. An international import certificate or a written assurance certificate (WA) or an end-use certificate for Chemicals for Chemical Weapons Convention issued by the government of the importing

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Trade Security and Export Control

Task Force

(07)

271-1171, ext.

273

country. In case none of the above-mentioned documents are available, a letter of guarantee of end uses issued by the foreign importer or end user should be submitted in lieu of such documents.


regulations.

CITES Convention on International

Trade in Endangered

Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

(CITES) Export/Re-Expo

rt Permit

2nd Section Export/Import Administration

Division

(02)

2397-7364

2397-7366

Documents as required (e.g., an

approval letter issued by the Council

of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, a copy

of the CITES Export Certificate issued

by the original exporting country,

customs import documents, etc.)

Export/Import

Administration

Section Kaohsiung

Office

(07)

271-1171, ext.

259

Application for Optical Disk

Manufacturing Implement

Export

1nd Section,

Export/Import

Administration

Division

(02)

2397-7355

2397-7360

2397-7359

2397-7349

Export/Import

Administration

Section,

Kaohsiung Office

(07)

271-1171,

ext. 259

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B. Services to importers

1. We answer inquiries relating to any import. 2. We issue import permits for special commodities controlled or restricted by

regulations (including revision, cancellation, reissuance): (1) General Export/Import Permits; (2) International import certifications (IC); Delivery Verification Certificates (DV);

and Written Assurance Certificates (WA) of Strategic Hi-Tech Commodities and End-Use Certificates for Chemicals for Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC);

(3) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) import permits.

(4) Application for Optical Disk Manufacturing Implement Import. 3. We issue import permits for specific commodities of Mainland China origin. 4. We also assist traders/manufacturers in solving problems encountered during

customs clearance. Table 2: Documents Required for Businesses Applying for Import Permits


General

Export/Import

Permits (including

for goods

imported from

the mainland)

1st~4th Sections,

Export/Import

Administration

Division

(02)

2397-7349

2397-7355

2397-7359

2397-7360

2397-7366

2397-7270

2397-7371

2397-7414

1. The original and a photocopy of

letter of approval issued by the

relevant agency.


regulations.

Export/Import

Administration

Section, Kaohsiung

Office

(07)

271-1171,

ext. 237

International

Import Certificate

(IC)

High-tech

Commodities Export

Control and C/O

Task Force

(02)

2397-7365

2397-7339

Export/Import

Administration

Section, Kaohsiung

Office

(07)

271-1171,

ext. 273

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Delivery

Verification

Certificate (DV)

High-tech

Commodities Export

Control and C/O

Task Force

(02)

2397-7365

2397-7339

1. A complete set of DV application

forms verified and stamped by the

customs office at the port of entry

to confirm the import (one form in

four copies).

2. A photocopy of IC or Written

Assurance Certificate.


regulations.

Export/Import

Administration

Section, Kaohsiung

Office

(07)

271-1171,

ext. 259

Written Assurance

Certificate (WA)

High-tech

Commodities Export

Control and C/O

Task Force

(02)

2397-7365

2397-7339

Export/Import

Administration

Section, Kaohsiung

Office

(07)

271-1171,

ext. 232

End-Use

Certificate for

Chemicals of

Chemical

Weapons

Conventions

(CWC)

High-tech

Commodities Export

Control and C/O

Task Force

(02)

2397-7339

1. Disclosure of Intended Use of Import Controlled Chemicals of CWC

2. Factory Registration License 3. The concrete chemical formulae or

detailed description of the manufacturing process of the controlled chemicals

Export/Import

Administration

Section Kaohsiung

Office

(07)

271-1171,

ext. 273

Convention on

International

Trade in

Endangered

Species of Wild

Fauna and Flora

(CITES) Import

Permit

2nd Section

Export/Import

Administration

Division

(02)

2397-7364

2397-7366 The letter of approval from the

Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan,

and other pertinent documents for

animal imports.

Export/Import

Administration

Section, Kaohsiung

Office

(07)

271-1171,

ext. 259

Application for

Optical Disk

Manufacturing

Implement Import

1st Section,

Export/Import

Administration

Division

(02)

2397-7355

2397-7349

2397-7360

2397-7359

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Export/Import

Administration

Section,

Kaohsiung Office

(07)

271-1171,

ext. 259

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C. Registration of importers/exporters 1. Preview of English Title

Please proceed to the designated BOFT counter and submit the application to the relevant contact person. Results will be available immediately. For those who wish to do it by mail, fax, or the Internet, the estimated processing time is about three working hours after receiving the application.

(1) For those who wish to apply on paper: Please submit the “Application for Preview of English Title for the Importers/Exporters” to the Export/Import Administration Division of the BOFT, or the BOFT Kaohsiung Office, or the Central Joint Service Centers of the MOEA.

(2) For those who wish to apply via the Internet: Please find the “Application for Preview of English Title for the Exporter/Importer” on our website, key in the relevant information and send it back to the BOFT. Whether it is approved or rejected, the result of the online application will be available on our website.

(3) Those who intend to register as an importer/exporter must do so within six months of receiving approval of their English name, or the English name of the importer/exporter will be cancelled. Please submit the “Application for Registration as Importer/Exporter” and relevant documents to the BOFT Export/Import Administration Division, the BOFT Kaohsiung Office, or the Central Joint Service Centers of MOEA.

2. Registration of Importers/Exporters This process will be completed immediately at the BOFT counter. The process will be completed in about 2 working hours if the application is sent by mail, facsimile, or the Internet.

(1) For those who apply personally at the site counter: Please submit a completed “Application for Registration as Importer/Exporter” and relevant documents to a designated service person at the BOFT counter, the BOFT Kaohsiung Office, or the Central Joint Service Centers of the MOEA.

(2) For those who wish to apply by fax, by mail, or on line: Please fill out an “Application for Registration as an Importer/Exporter” or use the on-line application service on the BOFT website. Send the application and registration materials and relevant documents (see Table 4) via post, fax, or e-mail to BOFT’s Export/Import Administration Division (address: 1 Hukou St., Chungcheng Dist, Taipei City; fax 02-2321-7241) or to BOFT’s Kaohsiung Office (address: 2nd Floor, No. 103, Chungcheng Rd, Chienchin Dist., Kaohsiung City; fax 07-281-1396).

(3) Once the application is approved by the BOFT, the importer/exporter’s registration information may be checked on the BOFT website at http://www.trade.gov.tw/ (click “Directory of Importers/ Exporters” on the “Quick Links” menu of the English website).


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3. Application for a “Certificate of Importers/Exporters” (1) After the registration as an importer/exporter is approved by the BOFT, the

importer/exporter’s information will be made available on the BOFT website at http://www.trade.gov.tw (click “Director of Importers / Exporters” on the “Quick Links” menu of the English website). Please print it yourself for future reference by relevant authorities. Should you have any question, please contact the Export/Import Administration Division of the BOFT (Tel: 02-2397-7349) or the BOFT Kaohsiung Office (Tel: 07-271-1171, ext. 235).

(2) If the business operator also needs a “Certificate of Importers/Exporters,” he or she may send an application to BOFT’s Export/Import Administration or to BOFT’s Kaohsiung Office. If the application is presented directly to BOFT’s service desk, it will be processed and issued immediately. Otherwise the application may be sent by fax (fax nos. 02-2321-7241, 02-2396-72441, or 07281-1396), e-mail, or post; processing time is three working hours.

4. Application for an English-version importer/exporter registration certificate. Any company or firm should submit the request for an English importer/exporter registration certificate as needed via mail, fax (02-2321-7241, 02-2396-5836, 07-281-1396) or e-mail to the Export/Import Administration Division of the BOFT (Tel: 02-2397-7139) or the BOFT Kaohsiung Office (Tel: 07-271-1171, ext. 253) after registering as an importer/exporter company. When applying for this certificate, please attach an application or statement indicating the items needing approval when filing the request. The approval in English will be ready in two working days by fax, mail, or in-person pick-up.

5. Application for a Certificate of Export/Import Performance The importer/exporter may, as needed, submit the application or the statement indicating the request for a Certificate of Export/Import Performance via mail, fax (02-2321-7241, 02-2396-5836, 07-2811-396) or the Internet to the Export/Import Administration Division of the BOFT or the BOFT Kaohsiung Office . When applying for this certificate, please submit an application or statement indicating the purpose of the application and preferred method of delivery (in-person pick-up, mail, or fax). In person: Please proceed to the designated BOFT counter and submit the inquiry to the relevant contact person. The certificate will be completed immediately. By mail, fax, or the Internet: the estimated processing time is three hours after receiving the application.

6. Registration system for “one-stop shop online” businesses: (1) The BOFT and Dept. of Commerce (DOC), MOEA offer integrated inter-agency

services for commerce and trade. Beginning on October 28, 2013, they put into operation a “one-stop shop” system for import registration. The “Company and Business One-stop Service Request” website has expanded features such as an advance search or preview of English company names and “new registration” application system for exporters/importers all on the same


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website. This makes it easier for the public to finish application procedures on-line.

(2) By using the “Company and Business One-stop Service Request” web to do advance searches of English company names, apply for new registrations as exporter/importer, and send basic company and business data to the BOFT, people no longer need to fax or mail their registration and certification materials. The BOFT clerk can also check directly on-line through the system whether the applicant is qualified for certification as exporter/importer. In this way, the goal of an entirely digitized, paperless operation is achieved.

Table 3: Documents Required for “Preview of English Title for Exporters/Importers,”

“Registration of Import/Export Companies,” “Certificate of Importers/Exporters,” “Importer/Exporter Registration Certificate,” and “Certificate of Export/Import Performance”

Items Unit in charge Telephone Documents Required

Preview of English Title for

Exporters/Importers

1st Section, Trade Services Division

(02) 2397-7139 Application for Preview

of English Title for Exporters/Importers

Export/Import Administration Section,

Kaohsiung Office

(07) 271-1171

Registration of Import / Export Companies


(02) 2397-7358

See Table 4 Export/Import Administration Section,

Kaohsiung Office

(07) 271-1171, ext. 235

Certificate of Importers /Exporters


(02) 2397-7349

Application form


Kaohsiung Office

(07) 271-1171, ext. 235

Application form

Importer/Exporter Registration Certificate


(02) 2397-7139

Application form


Kaohsiung Office

(07) 271-1171, ext. 253

Application form

Certificate of Export/Import Performance


(02) 2397-7349

Application form


Kaohsiung Office

(07) 271-1171, ext. 253

Application form

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Table 4: Documents Required for Registration as Importer/Exporter or for Alteration of Existing Registration

Type of Registration Documents Required

New Registration

One photocopy of each Company or Business Registration document

Application for Preview of English Title for Exporters/Importers

Re-registration


Application for Preview of English Title for Exporters/Importers (may be waived in cases where registration has been cancelled within the past two years and the company would prefer to continue using the same name)

Return of the registration card issued by the BOFT prior to June 21, 2001

Alteration of Existing Registration

Chinese Title



English Title

Application for Preview of English Title for Exporters/Importers


Address Owner



Telephone Fax Number

Return of the registration card issued by the BOFT prior to June 21, 2001.

Profit- Seeking Enterprise Registration Number


One photocopy of authorization of alteration of number issued by the authority in charge


Others Relevant approvals and/or documents Return of the registration card issued by the BOFT prior

to June 21, 2001

The above application forms are available on our website at www.trade.gov.tw. On the Chinese-language page, click “Convenient Services” (便民服務 ), then

“Download Forms” (表單下載), then “Business Registrations” (廠商登記).


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D. Export/Import document visa operation

1. The scope of electronic visa: Under the “Trade Facilitation Plan,” the BOFT reestablished the Facile Trade Net (FTNet) on Aug. 31, 2005, and expanded it to cover 12 categories of visa documents including import/export permits, Optical Disk Manufacturing Implement Import/Export applications, CITES permits, export permits for strategic high tech commodities, international import certificates, certificates of origin, documents required for inspection, and quarantine-related documents.

2. Application procedure by electronic data transmission: Applicants may send the above 12 categories of visa documents by electronic data transfer. Paper document application is accepted only when the automatic processing system is out of order or when re-issuing lost documents. Electronic document data can be transmitted through either the website of the BOFT (http://www.trade.tw/) or the FTNet (http://www.tradevan.com.tw/).

3. Apply for your ID code and password first: To enter the document visa system, applicants must apply for their own ID code and password, except for those who were issued the Electronic Certificate of Business. Applicants need to submit a copy of their ID or a related document, except for governmental organizations, public organizations or registered exporters/importers.

4. Submit the attached documents for electronic visa application: The relevant documents required for export/import visa applications should be submitted either by delivery service, mail, or electronic transmission. The original copy should be provided if necessary, except when the contents of the Standard Electronic Message have already included the related documents. This includes the import certificate, explanation of functions of Strategic High Tech Commodities, and the guarantee of cultural heritage for CITES.

5. The automatic correlation of document content: Among the 12 types of documents listed above, four types of documents, including Optical Disk Manufacturing Import/Export applications and Export/Import visas, will be subject to the data correlation operation of the BOFT’s information system. Messages will be transferred to the C1 customs clearance system (exemption for practical check and examination) facilitated by the Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance, so that the export operation proceeds efficiently. The other 8 categories of visa documents (CITES Import or Export Permits, WA- or CWC-related certificates, and so on) need to be processed by a specified officer of the BOFT and issued with the stamped approval document for customs clearance procedures. CITES Permits and Certificates require the processing and stamped approval of written documents during customs clearance.

6. The 14-digit certificate code for Export/Import clearance: (1) To ensure that document data correlation and other operations of

export/import administration goes smoothly during the customs clearance

http://www.trade.tw/

http://www.tradevan.com.tw/

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procedure, inclusion of the 14-digit code is required on 12 types of documents, including import/export permits, CD production equipment applications, CITES permits, export permits for Strategic High Tech Commodities, etc. Applicants are hereby asked to make sure they include the code on the various application forms.

(2) For cases requiring BOFT’s special handling and approval and for Exemption of Import Permits for a small amount of commodities from Mainland China and other specified permit exemption commodities, the following 8 codes may be used: FT999999999999, FT999999999990, FT999999999991, FT999999999992, FT999999999993, FT999999999994, FT999999999995, FT999999999996.

7. The emergency operation program: When the electronic visa system is unable to work because the computer system has malfunctioned, visa operations will be processed via paper documents. Please refer to the website (https://cfgate.trade.gov.tw/boft_pw/do/PW401) for detailed procedures and forms.

https://cfgate.trade.gov.tw/boft_pw/do/PW401

20

E. Import and export commodity classification

1. “The Combined Volume of the Customs Import Tariff and Classification Import & Export Commodities of the Republic of China” was compiled so that people can check the code for their import and export commodities. The content of the combined volume includes commodity names, tariff numbers, tariff rates, CCC Code, import/export regulations, etc.

2. For enquiries about commodities without a specified CCC code, please contact the Export/Import Administration Division of the BOFT by telephone, fax, mail, or in person.

3. To enquire about the steps of the CCC code, see Figure 1 (page 24). 4. For methods to identify the CCC code, see Figure 2 (page 25).

21

Figure 1: Procedures for enquiring about CCC classification codes

Yes

No

Enquiry

For market research, searching for trade opportunities, or scientific research

1. Commodities customs clearance For commodities in the same

category, relevant codes and some specific codes are also needed

Enquire at Customs offices (for the 8-digit level), or this Bureau (for the 10-digit level) Spoken enquiries at the Export/Import

Administration Division of this Bureau should only be for 10-digit code numbers. If the information for a commodity is insufficient or the officers in charge are unable to determine the proper code, then a written enquiry will be needed.

Apply in writing to the Customs Office to verify the import duty for a commodity in advance. Application forms can be downloaded from the website of the Directorate Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance, or at any Customs Office. Verification in advance includes the 10-digit level for commodity codes.

Enquire in person or by phone at the Customs Offices only for commodities with an 8- digit code (i.e., the 9th and 10th digits are “00”). If the information on the commodities is insufficient, or the Customs Officers are unable to determine the proper codes, then an enquiry in writing will be needed.

Apply in writing to this Bureau to determine the commodities codes, or to enquire about import / export regulations. There is no specific form required, but detailed information on commodities is required, such as: commodity names, model numbers, specifications, country of production material, production procedures, functions, usages, packing methods, catalogs, and photos or drawings. Whether or not the commodities are undergoing the process of customs clearance also needs to be specified.

Self analysis (methods on next page)

Purposes of enquiry

Complete

2. Checking import /export regulations

1. Applying for import / export permits or commodities customs clearance

For checking import / export statistics

2. Ascertaining import duty rates

Question

22

Figure 2: Methods for identifying the CCC code

1. Recognize the coding structure and the authority in charge of the identification of

the commodity classification.

2. Steps for identifying the CCC code: (1) Understand the content of the commodity (composition, material, usage,

process, function, specialty, etc.). (2) Refer to the “Customs Import Tariff and Import and Export Commodity

Classification of the Republic of China” and the following web sites:

The BOFT website: (http://www.trade.gov.tw)

To search import and export regulations, and information on the importation

of Mainland China products.

The Customs Administration (CA) website: (http://web.customs.gov.tw)

To search for the tariff rates. (3) Identify by the following documents: General Rules for Interpretation of the Customs Import Tariff.

Description of Goods, Tariff No. of the HS code and CCC code.

Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System Section Notes,

Chapter Notes and Subheading Notes (HS2007 Version).

The Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding

System. The Chinese edition is published by the Ministry of Finance, and

announced on its website.

The advance tariff rulings ratified by customs authorities all over the world

(advance rulings, posted on customs websites of every country).

1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11

HS code (Sections, Chapters, Headings, Subheadings)

Customs Import Tariff

C C C C o d e

Statistic code

Structure of the

classification

Authority concerned

Check digit

5

World Customs Organization Customs BOFT

World Customs Organization


http://web.customs.gov.tw/

23

F. Application for certificate of origin (C/O) 1. Exporters can apply for the C/O at the request of a foreign government or

customer, as needed, through the following agencies: (1) Regular C/O: A total of 99 agencies, including the Bureau of Standards,

Metrology and Inspection and its branch offices, the Export Processing Zone Administration and its branch offices, the Hsinchu Science Park Administration, the Southern Taiwan Science Park Administration, the Taiwan Textile Federation and other various chambers of commerce, industrial associations, farmers’ associations and fishermen’s associations, are authorized to issue regular C/O.

(2) Preferential C/O (including C/O under the FTAs between Taiwan and Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras): A total of 16 governmental agencies, including the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection and its branch offices, the Export Processing Zone Administration and its branch offices, the Hsinchu Science Park Administration, the Southern Taiwan Science Park Administration, and the Ping-Tung Agricultural Biotechnology Park, are authorized to issue preferential C/O.

(3) C/O for export of mushrooms and bamboo to USA and garlic exports to the EU: The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection and its 6 branch offices are authorized to issue this kind of C/O.

(4) ECFA C/O: A total of 61 agencies, including the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection and its branch offices, the Export Processing Zone Administration and its branch offices, the Hsinchu Science Park Administration, the Southern Taiwan Science Park Administration, the Taiwan Textile Federation, and various chambers of commerce, industrial associations, farmers’ associations, and fishermen’s associations, are authorized to issue ECFA C/O.

(5) Certificate of Processing: A total of 50 agencies including the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection and its branch offices, the Export Processing Zone Administration and its branch offices, the Hsinchu Science Park Administration, the Southern Taiwan Science Park Administration, the Taiwan Textile Federation, and various chambers of commerce, industrial associations, farmers’ associations, and fishermen’s associations, are authorized to issue Certificate of Processing.

(6) C/O for goods transported through a third country to the importing country: A total of 46 agencies, including the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection and its branch offices, the Export Processing Zone Administration and its branch offices, the Hsinchu Science Park Administration, the Southern Taiwan Science Park Administration, the Taiwan Textile Federation, and various chambers of commerce, industrial associations, farmers’ associations, and fishermen’s associations, are authorized to issue this kind of C/O.

2. The application for C/O via electronic data transfer was introduced on Aug. 31, 2005. The procedure is as follows:

24

(1) Click the Registration button in the upper right corner on the “The On-line Certificate of Origin Operation System,” of the BOFT website: https://cocp.trade.gov.tw/tbmc/home/frame.jsp

(2) A new page with the Chinese heading “歡迎光臨經濟部國際貿易局

(BOFTCO)” (i.e., “Welcome to the Ministry of Economic Affairs Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFTCO)”) will appear. On the right side of the page, under the heading “一般帳號登入” (“Login for general accounts”), type in the user ID

and password and click the log-in button below to enter the system. Alternatively, you may use the left side of the page, titled “工商憑證登入”

(Login for licensed businesses; please contact the BOFT Export/Import Administration Section) to login. After logging in, then click the “申請作業”

(“Application Operation”) button under the C/O Application column on the left side, complete the application form (items marked with an asterisk are required), and click the “申請” (“Apply”) button.

(3) The application process can be traced through the “Results and processing inquiry” function under the C/O Application column on the left side. An applicant can check, for example, on whether the application is approved, when the C/O is printed, etc. Applicants can then contact the issuing agent to pick up the certificates.

https://cocp.trade.gov.tw/tbmc/home/frame.jsp

25

G. Trade promotion services

To help exporters expand into different international markets, initiate business opportunities, and invest worldwide, the BOFT works together with the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and export-oriented associations to conduct various international trade promotion activities, including organizing trade and investment missions, both outbound and inbound. To meet the specific market development needs of individual exporters/importers, it provides several customized services. 1. To pursue the immense business opportunities in emerging markets in the wake

of the global financial crisis, the MOEA has been continuously implementing the second phase of the “Project to Promote Most-Valued and Fair-Priced Products in Emerging Markets” (MVP Project) in the following focal markets: mainland China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. The MVP project helps Taiwanese enterprises design and develops the products that meet the demand of the target markets. Furthermore, it helps the firms adopt localized marketing strategy through the four dimensions of market demand, innovative R&D, production design, and international marketing. The objective of this project is to promote Taiwan’s most-valued products and expand their market share in the emerging markets.

2. Taiwantrade – The e-Trading Hub for Illuminating Opportunities Taiwantrade (www.taiwantrade.com.tw) is a global online trading hub designed to stimulate immediate access to B2B e-commerce for SMEs and to help them gain a digital edge over their global competition. It helps buyers around the world and suppliers in Taiwan to conduct business online easily. A single click gives buyers access to suppliers in Taiwan and the ability to conduct Requests for Quotations (RFQ) online.

3. Green Trade Promotion Project (GTPP) The Ministry of Economic Affairs has launched the “Green Trade Promotion Project” to assist Taiwanese companies to respond to the rising global trend of green business and to deal with international green standards and recycling regulations. This project will be implemented over three years. The project includes: (1) offering business consulting services; (2) enhancing Taiwan’s international competitiveness; (3) holding promotional activities. It is hoped that under this project, the government will help Taiwan’s green product manufacturers and service providers build better connections with the global market and help them to explore and expand green business opportunities.

4. Export Insurance The Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China (Eximbank) provides financial and export insurance services to assist manufacturers to expand their export markets, in coordination with government trading and banking policies. Some of its major operations include providing various types of medium- and long-term financing and guarantees to assist companies to expand exports of capital goods,

26

undertake overseas engineering projects, import precision equipment and raw materials, and introduce technologies into Taiwan. It also encourages domestic manufacturers to develop foreign trade and investment by providing a variety of export credit insurance services that protect them against political and credit risks overseas.

5. Training and Education With the advent of the knowledge-based economy, skills in international marketing and professional management will be crucial for expanding into the global market. In light of this, the BOFT sponsors training and education programs for Taiwan’s business through TAITRA, various industrial and commercial associations, and colleges and universities in the fields of international trade, marketing, and languages.

6. To create an image of excellence and innovation for Taiwan’s industry and international brands, the Bureau of Foreign Trade promotes and executes “The Image Enhancement Plan” and “Integrated Marketing Communications for Emerging Markets Project” in order to reach out to target markets such as the European Union, the United States, Japan, emerging markets and so forth. By taking integrated marketing strategies such as holding promotion activities at overseas shopping malls, cooperating with overseas sale channels to set up exhibition and sales centers, getting celebrity spokespersons, arranging for media interviews and publishing news, establishing the Taiwan Excellence websites and other Internet communities, building up Taiwan Excellence Pavilions at international trade shows, and helping different industrial associations promote their products through various mass media outlets, BOFT has significantly improved the public image and awareness of Taiwan’s industry and international brands. Moreover, BOFT’s efforts have led to a huge increase of net exports for Taiwan. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.trade.gov.tw/.

7. To assist in the development of the MICE industry, the BOFT launched the four-year “Taiwan’s MICE Industry Pilot Program” in January 2013. The main tasks of the program are to help attract more international meetings to be held in Taiwan, train more MICE professionals, design the portal site of MeetTaiwan.com, promote and develop a brand for Taiwan’s MICE image internationally, and provide grants and financial support for meetings and exhibitions that are held in Taiwan. This program aims to make Taiwan well-known for its high-quality service MICE industry. The long-term objectives are to improve service efficiency, enhance international visibility and competiveness of the Meet Taiwan brand, and promote Taiwan as one of the best MICE destinations in the world. Please visit the Meet Taiwan website (http://www.meettaiwan.com/). For further information on these services, please visit the website of the BOFT (http://www.trade.gov.tw ) or contact TAITRA (02-2725-5200).


http://www.meettaiwan.com/


27

H. Services provided in response to international trade protection measures

Anti-dumping tariffs, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures are all trade

remedy measures that the World Trade Organization (WTO) permits its members to

adopt in response to unfair competition (in the form of dumping, subsidies, etc.) or

large-scale imports that cause serious or material injury to that member’s domestic

industries. Since 1995, when each country started to implement the outcomes of

the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade talks and had to open its domestic market

to a relatively great extent, there has been a trend among various countries to

strengthen the implementation of trade remedy measures in order to protect

domestic industries that are unable to withstand competition from imported goods.

To assist businesses to cope with foreign countries’ trade remedy measures, like

anti-dumping duties, the BOFT provides the following services:

1. Providing information on foreign countries’ regulations on trade remedy

measures such as anti-dumping duties, having our overseas personnel

strengthen their collection of the most up-to-date information on foreign

countries’ investigations undertaken on Taiwan with regard to the imposition of

anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures, and then

conveying this quickly to our relevant industrial associations or businesses so

they can respond to them accordingly.

2. Assisting businesses to respond to investigations:

(1) Anti-dumping cases: The BOFT, together with the Chinese National Federation

of Industries (CNFI), provides businesses that find themselves targeted by

anti-dumping investigations with information on the procedures by which the

complaining country conducts its anti-dumping investigations; it prepares

them for each stage of the investigation and offers relevant advice.

(2) Countervailing duties: The BOFT, in coordination with relevant agencies and

the businesses concerned, plans and develops counterarguments, fills out and

replies to questionnaires, responds to on-the-spot investigations, and

evaluates annually whether the government, the businesses concerned, or

both simultaneously should demand administrative reviews by the

complaining country.

(3) Safeguard measures: The BOFT, the businesses concerned, and the relevant

industrial associations will study and prepare materials for defense. The BOFT

will then provide these materials through its overseas personnel to the

government of the complaining country and ask it for a consultation in order

to protect the interests of our businesses.

3. Assisting businesses with related expenses: The BOFT sets aside an annual

budget to assist domestic businesses to meet the large expenses involved in

hiring lawyers, accountants, and consultants. Businesses may apply for this

funding through the relevant industrial association.

4. Filing complaints with the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body: If a domestic

28

business, during an anti-dumping appeal process, encounters unreasonable

treatment, or if the investigation process or the measures imposed are in

violation of the WTO Anti-dumping Agreement, it may propose to the BOFT that

it file a complaint through the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism. After the

BOFT and the relevant agencies study and discuss the proposal, it will decide

whether to proceed with the complaint. For instance, in February 2005, Taiwan

held bilateral consultations with India in accordance with WTO Dispute

Settlement Understanding (DSU) in response to seven anti-dumping measures

that India had imposed on our businesses. Through these consultations we

successfully convinced India to immediately revoke five of those measures.

5. Requiring that the complaining country handle cases pertaining to domestic

businesses fairly: The BOFT makes use of official channels, such as multilateral

and bilateral trade meetings, to urge our counterparts to adhere to the principles

of fairness and objectivity when conducting investigations on the adoption of

anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, or safeguard measures. For example,

to help Taiwan's industries respond to Malaysia's 29 April 2011 and 27 July 2012

gazette announcements that it was initiating safeguard and anti-dumping

investigations for imports of hot-rolled steel coil products, the BOFT actively

expressed its concern and stated its position to Malaysia. Consequently,

Malaysia terminated its safeguard and anti-dumping investigations on 22 August

2011 and 22 November 2012, respectively, for a positive outcome. Moreover,

while Indonesia conducted an anti-dumping sunset review for imports of

hot-rolled steel coil products, the BOFT also actively and constantly expressed its

concerns to Indonesia in order to assist our exporters. Finally, in the final

determination published in April 2013, our exporters were able to preserve their

zero tariff duty treatment. In addition, 16 safeguard investigations were initiated

by WTO members in 2012. Nine of these concerned products from Taiwan, but

Taiwan’s exports of these products did not exceed 3% of the investigating

members’ total imports of those products. The BOFT successfully requested

those members to exclude the Taiwanese products from their investigations,

and thereby protected our business interests.

6. Establishing bilateral dialogue mechanisms with the official or industrial sectors

of relevant countries: Through such mechanisms, we can grasp in advance

information on the scope of Taiwanese products that may be subject to import

remedy measures adopted by our counterparts, as well as the timetables

involved, so that we can make full preparation in advance and minimize the

impact suffered by our businesses. In addition, through the full exchange of

information and discussion of issues of concern between the official and

industrial sectors of both sides, we can prevent the imposition of trade remedy

measures on our exports.

7. Reviewing the semiannual reports on trade remedy measures regularly, such as

29

anti-dumping duties and so on, that the WTO Committee on Anti-dumping

Practices circulates in accordance with the Anti-dumping Agreement. This

process identifies problems or erroneous information in a timely manner, so that

we can ask that these errors be corrected.

If further clarification or information is needed about the various measures

described above, you may contact the BOFT’s Multilateral Trade Affairs Division

(Tel: 02-2397-7215) or the Trade Development Section of the Chinese National

Federation of Industries (Tel: 02-2703-3500, ext. 184).

30

I. Putting the objectives of the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework

Agreement (ECFA) into effect

The ECFA was signed on June 29, 2010 and went into effect on September 12 of

the same year. The Early Harvest Programs for Trade in Goods and for Trade in

Services were fully implemented on January 1, 2011. Taiwan and mainland China

announced the composition of the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Committee

on January 6, 2011. Convening its first regular meeting on February 22, the

Committee reviewed the implementation of the ECFA Early Harvest program,

formally initiated the negotiation of the ECFA follow-up agreements, and started to

push forward on economic cooperation matters.

The text of ECFA includes a Preamble, five Chapters that together comprise a

total of sixteen Articles, and five Attachments. Chapter One, “General Principles,”

includes the objectives and cooperation measures. Chapter Two, “Trade and

Investment,” covers trade in goods, trade in services, and investment. The title of

Chapter Three, “Economic Cooperation,” is self-explanatory. Chapter Four, “Early

Harvest,” covers the early harvest list for trade in goods and in services. Chapter Five,

“Other,” provides for relevant package measures on implementation of the

agreement, such as an escape clause, a dispute resolution mechanism, institutional

arrangements, amendments and entry into force, and a termination clause. The five

Attachments include: (1) the early harvest list for trade in goods and tariff reduction

arrangements; (2) temporary rules of origin; (3) both sides’ firewall measures; (4)

early harvest list for trade in services and opening measures; and (5) definitions of

service providers.

As for the ECFA follow-up negotiations, progress has been made on some issues.

For example, the agreements covering investment protection and customs

cooperation were signed in August 2012 and went into effect in February 2013. They

will, respectively, help to strengthen the protection of our investors’ interests and

ensure greater ease and safety in the cross-strait trade in goods. In addition, the

agreement on trade in services, signed on June 21, 2013, is expected to provide a

foundation for the institutionalized exchange of cross-strait trade in services for

advancing mutual investment and trade. As for the trade in goods and dispute

settlement agreements, both sides have been working hard to expedite the pace of

negotiations. For further information, please refer to the ECFA website

(http://www.ecfa.org.tw).

http://www.ecfa.org.tw/

31

J. Procedures for business people applying for an APEC Business Travel Card

In 1998, to promote trade and investment in the APEC region, and facilitate business travel, APEC member economies launched the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) scheme, which has made visa-free travel possible in the region for business travelers.

Nineteen APEC member economies currently implement the ABTC plan: Australia, Brunei, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Russia. (Note: At present, Taiwanese ABTC cardholders may not use it for traveling to Mainland China or Hong Kong. Russia declared its accession to ABTC scheme on June 7, 2012).

The United States and Canada became transitional members of the ABTC plan in 2007 and 2008. ABTC-holders may use the designated fast lanes in immigration at leading international airports. However, they are still required to apply for visas beforehand.

The ABTC is valid for three years. It allows multiple-entry and visa-free entry with a maximum stay of three months. ABTC holders may also use fast lanes at airports.

In Taiwan, issuance of the ABTC card is administered by the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in accordance with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “Operational Regulations Governing the Issuance of APEC Business Travel Cards” (revised January 18, 2010; see website http://www.boca.gov.tw/np.asp?ctNode=614&mp=1). Business executives may apply to the BOCA for an ABTC if their businesses are important members of industrial organizations and meet certain conditions.

As for managerial staff of individual companies, they may apply formally for a recommendation from the Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) with a letter from their companies if they meet the requirements specified by the “Operational Regulations Governing the Application for APEC Business Travel Cards by Prominent Business Executives Recommended by the Ministry of Economic Affairs” (http://www.trade.gov.tw/Pages/detail.aspx?nodeID=250&pid=77063).

The letter needs to state in brief the company’s background and the applicant’s title. After the BOFT recommendation is received, applicants may then forward a copy together with other relevant documentation to the BOCA to apply for the ABTC.

To obtain a recommendation from BOFT, one of the following requirements needs to be met: 1. The applicant is from a company that within the past three years has garnered

the Excellent Trader Card or Excellent Export/Import Company certification mark and has a managerial rank of chairman of the board (including president), member of the board, general manager, manager, section chief, or higher;

2. The applicant is from a company that has garnered the National Outstanding SME Award, the Rising Star Award, the Small and Medium Enterprise Innovation

http://www.boca.gov.tw/np.asp?ctNode=614&mp=1

http://www.trade.gov.tw/Pages/detail.aspx?nodeID=250&pid=77063

32

Research Award, the Outstanding Overseas Taiwanese SMEs Award, the Business Start-Up Award, the National Product Design Excellence Award, the Top 20 Taiwan Global Brands, or the Model Entrepreneurship Award and has a managerial rank of member of the board, general manager, manager, section chief, or higher;

3. The applicant is from a listed company and has a managerial rank of chairman of the board (including president), member of the board, general manager, manager, section chief, or higher;

4. If the applicant has the managerial rank of chairman (including president), member of the board, general manager, manager, section chief, or higher, but is from a company that is not under the aforementioned three categories, the application will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis by the Minister of Economic Affairs.

33

K. Trade services provided by the BOFT’s Kaohsiung Office and at the MOEA’s Joint Service Center for Central Taiwan

1. Kaohsiung Office (1) Providing advice on regulations governing export/import licensing operations

and answers to inquiries on foreign trade affairs. (2) Issuing export/import permits for controlled (restricted) or conditional

commodities as follows: Export/import permits for general commodities. Export/import permits for optical disk manufacturing implements. Export permits for strategic high-tech commodities. IC (International Import Certificates), DV (Delivery Verification Certificates)

and WA (Written Assurance Certificates) for Strategic High-Tech Commodities, and CWC (End-User Certificates of Chemical Weapons Convention).

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species & Wild Fauna and Flora) export/import and re-export permits.

(3) Issuing import permits for specific commodities of Mainland China origin. (4) Handling applications for registered companies’ English names and the

registration of companies as exporters/importers. (5) Issuing Certificates of Importers/Exporters (in Chinese or English) and

Certificates of Export/Import Performance. (6) Organizing activities such as seminars on foreign commercial opportunities,

announcing and providing guidance on government regulations, and so on, in the central and southern areas of Taiwan as well as in Taitung.

(7) Collecting and organizing business-related information, visiting business associations, and identifying the needs of the business community in the central and southern areas of Taiwan as well as in Taitung.

(8) Participating in business-related meetings and activities in the central and southern areas of Taiwan as well as in Taitung.

(9) Communicating, coordinating, and contacting with city or county governments, the mass media, and the business groups and associations, and promoting the sharing of business-related resources in the central and southern areas of Taiwan, as well as in Taitung.

2. Joint Services Center (Central Taiwan), MOEA (1) Handling applications for Preview of English Title for exporters/importers and

registration of Import/Export Company (2) Reducing the amount of information required to apply for an import/export

permit over the Internet in central Taiwan. (3) Providing advice on rules governing export/import licensing operations and

answers to inquiries on foreign trade affairs. (4) Helping to organize seminars on export/import business opportunities or

conferences on trade policies and regulation announcements in central Taiwan.

34

L. Economic and Trade Information Websites of the Bureau of Foreign Trade (I) Website introduction

The www.trade.gov.tw website was established to provide visitors with information about prevailing economic and trade trends and the Bureau of Foreign Trade’s general operations. Up-to-date information on economic, trade and business issues is available on the website in Chinese and English.

Economic and trade information in Chinese: Figure 3.

Economic and trade information in English: Figure 4.

WTO-related information: Figure 5.

FTA-related information: Figure 6.

ECFA-related information: Figure 7.

Other services: Figures 8 and 9.

35

Figure 3: Chinese Website

36

Figure 4: English Website

37

Figure 5: WTO-related Pages

38

Figure 6: FTA-related Pages

39

Figure 7: ECFA-related Pages

40

(II) Other services

Quick link service

Besides the websites mentioned above, BOFT has set up convenient links to other

popular trade-related sites that our visitors can use to search for other information

on foreign trade and trade services in Taiwan (Figure 8).

Figure 8: Quick link service

41

(III) Newsletter Service

BOFT offers a weekly newsletter service to keep people informed of business

developments around the world, public announcements, news, etc. Subscribers

receive emails every Friday (Figure 9).

Figure 9: Newsletter Service

42

IV. Our Norms of Public Service

BOFT’s terms of service for processing applications are listed below:

Item Terms of Service Unit in Charge Telephone Note

Export/Import Permits (including

for import of Mainland China

goods)

First come, first served

1st~4th Section, Export/Import Administration

Division

(02) 2397-7349 2397-7335 2397-7360 2397-7366 2397-7270 2397-7395 2397-7372

After required documents received

Export/Import Administration

Section, Kaohsiung Office

(07) 271-1171, ext. 237

Export Permit for Strategic High-tech

Commodities First come, first served

Trade Security and Export Control Task

Force

(02) 2397-7365 2397-7329 2397-7394 2397-7369

Foreign importers and final-user verification needed



(07) 271-1171, ext. 273

International Import Certificate

(IC) First come, first served


Force

(02) 2397-7365



(07) 271-1171, ext. 273

Delivery Verification

Certificate (DV) First come, first served


Force

(02) 2397-7365



(07) 271-1171, ext. 259

Written Assurance Certificate (WA)



Force

(02) 2397-7365



(07) 271-1171, ext. 232

43


End-Use Certificate for Chemicals of

Chemical Weapons

Conventions (CWC)



Force

(02) 2397-7365

Time for Industrial Development Bureau verification not included



(07) 271-1171, ext. 273

Convention on International Trade

in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Import

Permit and other CITES certificates


2nd Section, Export/Import Administration

Division

(02) 2397-7364 2397-7366

Time for Executive Yuan Council of Agriculture inquiries or other agencies inquiries not included



(07) 271-1171, ext. 259

Application for Optical Disk

Manufacturing Implement

Export/Import


1st Section, Export/Import Administration

Division

(02) 2397-7360 2397-7349



(07) 271-1171, ext. 259

Preview of English Title for

Exporters/Importers

1. Results of in-person requests at the BOFT counter, with the submission of the application form to the relevant contact person, will be provided immediately.

2. Applications by mail, fax, or the Internet will be processed approximately three hours after receipt.

1st Section, Trade Services

Division

(02) 2397-7139



(07) 271-1171

Registration of Import/Export

Companies


2. Applications by mail, fax, or the Internet will be processed approximately


Division

(02) 2397-7358

44


two hours after receipt. Export/Import Administration


(07) 271-1171, ext. 235

Certificate of Importers/Exporters and Certificate of

Export/Import Performance


2. Applications by mail, fax, or the Internet will be processed approximately three hours after receipt.


Division

(02) 2397-7349



(07) 271-1171, ext. 235

Importer/Exporter Registration Certificate

Two working days


Division

(02) 2397-7139



(07) 271-1171, ext. 253

Note: 1. The above applications are acceptable by mail. 2. If the relevant documents are not completed as stipulated in the regulations, we will call the

applicant to supplement the documents required via fax, but commodities under a quota system require the original copy of the agreement.

3. Our business hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, with a lunch break between 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. There is always a clerk on duty at the counter of the Export/Import Administration Division and at the Kaohsiung Branch Office.

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V. Further Services That We Offer

A. Service counters where people can conveniently find the answers to their questions. The BOFT has a service counter at the entrance of its main office building. There are also more specialized service counters staffed with professionals under the Division of Trade Services for more specific needs dealing with functions in export/import and business registration. The service counters are also supplied with various relevant printed materials. They are staffed during regular working hours as well as during lunch periods.

B. Immediate service for urgent applications. If you have an urgent application, the BOFT will handle it for you as soon as possible.

C. The possibility of filling in applications quickly via fax. If a form is not filled out completely as required or if some asked-for attachment is missing, the BOFT will notify the applicant about it by telephone and will accept the supplementary items from the applicant by fax.

D. Downloadable documents on the BOFT website. The BOFT also puts various documents and forms on its website (http://www.trade.gov.tw /便民服務專區/表單下載) so that the public can look

them up, print them, or save them as electronic files. E. Multilingual information services.

In line with the globalization trend, the BOFT continues to encourage its employees to uphold a spirit of excellence by creating a diversified language environment in the office so as to expand the range of people they can serve and to improve service quality.

F. Being always ready to post on our website information concerning major economic and trade-related news and response measures. The BOFT is always ready to place on its website for public reference the latest information on important trade- and business-related news and events and/or set up links to the relevant websites; it also provides news on the corresponding response measures.

G. Frequently organizing various seminars or trade missions in order to help businesses increase their export sales. The BOFT often holds seminars or organizes trade missions to help Taiwan’s businesses improve sales abroad. Information on the dates and venues of seminars are announced on the BOFT website: click the item “Seminar News” (研討會訊息)

under the “Outreach” (與民互動) drop-down menu at the top of the main

Chinese-language page. For information on export promotion activities, click the item “News of Activities” (活動訊息 ) under the “Latest News” (最新消息)

drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you have any question on any of these activities, just directly get in touch with the activity organizer listed, and your question will be answered.

http://www.trade.gov.tw/便民服務專區/表單下載

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VI. Anti-corruption Filing, Appealing and Services for the Public

Anti-corruption Hot Lines

In order to cooperate with the government’s anticorruption policies, build

corrupt-free government, and encourage people to provide information about crime,

the BOFT provides the hot lines below:

1. BOFT Taipei Office:

Hot Line: (02) 2341-7871

Anticorruption Fax: (02) 2322-2107

Anticorruption E-mail: [email protected]

2. Kaohsiung Office:

Anticorruption Mail Box: Post Box Kaohsiung 118

Hot Line: (07) 251-0079

Anticorruption Fax: (07) 216-2518

The BOFT pays close attention to the public’s opinions. We are providing two

flow-charts: Fig. 10 describes the BOFT’s process for making appeals and complaints;

Fig. 11 describes the BOFT’s process for completing a questionnaire concerning its

services to the public.

mailto:[email protected]

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Figure 10: Flowchart for Making Appeals & Complaints to BOFT

Civil Service

Ethics Office

Licensing and Administration

Division

Others Planning

Committee

File a complaint or make an appeal

Via: At BOFT office, over the telephone,

by letter, fax, or e-mail

Director

2394-8528

The Civil Service Ethics Office integrates and

deals with the responses

Executive

Secretary

2391-4053

Office Responsible for Handling Complaints and Appeals

The draft responses are sent to the relevant authorities

for their confirmation and signatures

The replies are made

本局申訴電話 Hot line: (02) 2341-7871

Fax: (02) 2322-2107 E-mail: [email protected] 高辦處申訴電話 Hot line: (07) 251-0079

Fax: (07) 216-2518 E-mail: [email protected]

Director

2321-2655

Coordination & Verification

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Figure 11: BOFT’s Processing of the “Service Questionnaire for the Public”

Select samples Field study on the people who have a business relationship with BOFT

Civil Service Ethics Office

Collect the returned questionnaires

Send them to the relevant units or division

Produce statistics and analytic reports

Processing

Regularly report results to the proper authorities

Report to the Director-General for reference in policies making

Put on the BOFT’s web page

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VII. Map of Taipei and Kaohsiung BOFT Offices

A. Head Office, Bureau of Foreign Trade, MOEA

B. Kaohsiung Office, Bureau of Foreign Trade, MOEA

Bus Transit:

Rueiyuan Rd. Intersection

A. City Bus: 60, 214, 248

B. Kaohsiung Passenger Transport Bus: 8001, 8002, 8008, 8009, 8010, 8011, 8023, 8025, 8028, 8029, 8032, 8038, 8039, 8040, 8042, 8049

KMRT system:

Red Line: R10 Formosa Boulevard

Orange Line: O4 City Council (Former site) or O5 Formosa Boulevard

If you have any question, please call (07) 271-1171.

Bus system:

Nanchang Rd- 5, 38, 204, 227, 235, 241, 295, 630,706,

Chungching S. Rd- 3, 243, 262, 304

Roosevelt Rd.- 15, 18, 208, 236, 251, 252, and Xindian Bus

MRT system:

CKS Memorial Hall Station (Xindian, Nanshijiao, Ximen lines), Exit 1 (BOFT) or Exit 7 (Ministry of Finance)

If you have any question, please call (02) 2351-0271

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VIII. BOFT’s Service Questionnaire for The Public

DATE: Dear Sir/Madam:

In order to improve our services to the public, the BOFT is carrying out a survey including this questionnaire. It’s our great honor to have your feedback which is extremely important. We’ll keep your opinions and comments confidential. Thank you for your cooperation!

1. Respondents:

Occupation: importer or exporter customs agent general firm incorporated company other

Position: owner or manager employee individual

2. Which divisions of the BOFT do you usually deal with? (multiple choice)

Multilateral Trade Affairs Division First Bilateral Trade Division Second Bilateral Trade Division Trade Development Division Licensing and Administration Division Commodity Classification Committee Planning Committee General Affairs Division Other: ______________

3. Are you satisfied with our service and attitude of our officers?

Very satisfied Satisfied Average Unsatisfied Very unsatisfied

4. Are you satisfied with the manners and way of response of our officers regarding your phone inquiries?

Very polite Polite Average Impolite Very Impolite

5. Are you satisfied with the consultation and responses provided by our staff?


6. Overall, are you satisfied with our facilities and working environment?


7. Are you satisfied with our processing of on-line inquiries and applications?


8. Overall, are you satisfied with the efficiency of our administrative services?


9. If an application has been rejected or the processing has not gone smoothly, how have you sought to resolve the problem?

Lobbying through supervisors Lobbying through legislators Pursuing BOFT appeal channels

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10. Have you ever personally encountered any instance of BOFT officials asking for illegal rewards, commissions or benefits?

No Yes (Please list the cases in the form below).

11. When you encounter problems in doing business abroad, have you ever contacted our overseas branches?

No Yes

Do you think their services should be improved? (Please tell us in the form below)

12. Do you think there are any redundant processes or improper laws and regulations that should be simplified or modified? (Please note in the form below)

13. Are you satisfied with our website (www.trade.gov.tw)?


Never on BOFT’s website

Name: Contact Address or Tel:

Company: Surveyed by:

Notes

(If you have any complaints or comments, please write them in this space.)