If you're in the processed food, condiment, canned fruit, or rice export business and haven't seriously considered the Taiwanese market yet, this is a good opportunity. Exporting Thai food to Taiwan. Passing by Food Taipei 2026 might be a signal to stop reading, because this isn't just any trade show. It's a place where buyers from 88 countries gather to see who has something good enough to buy and take back.

In 2026, the National Food Institute organized the Thai Pavilion at Food Taipei 2026, bringing 10 Thai companies to exhibit their products, along with 9 other Thai companies participating independently. The exhibited products included canned fruits, processed fruits, sauces, rice, fruit juices, and seafood—all categories with significant import demand in Taiwan.

Before you decide to send product samples, booth materials, or plan negotiations with buyers at the event, there's more to prepare than you might think. This article will guide you through what you need to check before, during, and after exporting Thai food to Taiwan, especially if you plan to do so at the event.

Exporting Thai food to Taiwan: Why Food Taipei is a signal worth paying attention to.

Food Taipei 2026, organized by TAITRA (Taiwan External Trade Development Council), was held from June 24–27, 2026, at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 1 and Hall 2, as well as Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1. This year, over 1,800 companies from 33 countries participated, occupying 4,700 booths, the highest level since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These numbers tell us something more important than just the size of the event. They show that international buyers are back to actually purchase, not just to look. And if you have food products ready for export, this is a platform where buyers from 88 countries are already looking for your goods. You just need to have the right specifications and the necessary documentation.

What's even more interesting is that this event combines five major events: Taipei International Food Show, Foodtech Taipei, Taipei Pack, Bio/Pharmatech Taiwan, and Taiwan Horeca. This means that if you sell food, packaging, or processing machinery, you can meet many different types of buyers at one event.

Which Thai products have potential in the Taiwanese market?

From the products showcased by Thai entrepreneurs at this year's Food Taipei event, the main products that attracted attention included: canned fruits and vegetables, processed fruits such as dried mango and frozen durian, sauces and dips, jasmine rice and specialty rice, fruit juices and herbal drinks, and processed seafood.

Taiwan is a market where consumers prioritize food safety and ingredient transparency over price. Therefore, having products with certifications such as GMP, HACCP, or Organic will give you a stronger bargaining position with buyers.

Another area of increasing interest to Taiwanese buyers is functional food and plant-based protein, a trend clearly emphasized at Food Taipei 2026. If you have products in this category, you should prepare clear nutritional information and claims.

Documents required before exporting Thai food to Taiwan.

Taiwan has a relatively strict food import inspection system. The main agency responsible is the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) under the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). Food products imported into Taiwan must undergo inspection at customs and may require additional documentation depending on the type of product.

Basic documents required include a Certificate of Origin (CO) issued by an accredited agency, a Health Certificate or Sanitary Certificate from the Department of Livestock Development or the Department of Fisheries (for relevant products), product labels that meet TFDA requirements and must include Traditional Chinese information, a complete list of ingredients and nutritional information, and certification documents such as GMP, HACCP, or ISO, if available.

What many people overlook is that Taiwan uses traditional Chinese characters for its labels, not simplified characters like mainland China. If you've ever created labels for the Chinese market, those labels won't work directly for Taiwan; they'll need to be converted.

Exporting Thai food to Taiwan: Checklist before actually shipping the goods.

• CO (Certificate of Origin) — Obtain information from the Department of International Trade or the Thai Chamber of Commerce, specifying the product's HS Code for import into Taiwan.
• Health Certificate / Sanitary Certificate — For fishery products, livestock, or processed foods containing animal ingredients, permission must be obtained from an agency certified by TFDA.
• Traditional Chinese Label — Must include product name, ingredients, nutritional information, expiration date, and name of importer in Taiwan.
• Packing List and Commercial Invoice — Specify the weight, quantity, and value accurately for each item.
• Standard certification documents — GMP, HACCP, or ISO 22000 certifications, if available, should be included to increase credibility with the buyer.
• Bill of Lading or Airway Bill — Correctly identify the shipper, consignee, and notify party as agreed upon with the buyer.
• Cold chain documentation (if the product requires temperature control). — Specify the desired temperature throughout the transportation process and provide a temperature log.

Cold Chain and Food Product Transportation to Taiwan: Risks That Need Planning In advance.

If your products require temperature control, such as frozen durian, fresh seafood, or dairy products, cold chain planning is the most crucial aspect. If the temperature fluctuates during transit, the goods may be rejected at Taiwanese customs, and you will bear all the costs yourself.

There are options for shipping from Thailand to Taiwan by both sea and air. Sea shipping takes approximately 5-7 days, depending on the route and carrier. Air shipping takes 3-5 hours but is significantly more expensive. For fresh or frozen goods, air shipping is often the safer option, but careful cost calculation is necessary before making a decision.

Things to check with a freight forwarder before booking shipping space include whether the reefer container or cool room used has been recently temperature-calibrated, whether temperature monitoring is performed throughout the journey, and whether the carrier has direct experience transporting food products to Taiwan.

Another common issue is transshipping through Hong Kong or Singapore, which can extend transit times and expose you to temperature fluctuations during transfer. If your goods are highly sensitive, consider a direct service or a near-direct route instead.

What do I need to do to send product samples to Food Taipei?

If you plan to send product samples for display at a booth, whether through the Thai Pavilion or your own booth, there are separate preparations to make compared to sending samples for sale, as the customs status of product samples differs.

Sample products imported into Taiwan for display at trade shows can apply for an ATA Carnet. This document allows for temporary import and export without paying import duties, but the goods must be re-exported after the event. Without an ATA Carnet, the normal import process must be followed, which may involve taxes and take longer.

For food product samples, it's advisable to check with the TFDA in advance whether additional documentation is required for that type of product. Some types, such as products containing animal ingredients, may require a health certificate even if it's just a sample.

The ideal time to start preparing product sample documents is at least 4–6 weeks before the event, as applying for an ATA Carnet through the Thai Chamber of Commerce takes time, and you need to allow extra time for any necessary document revisions.

Packaging that Taiwanese buyers are looking for: More than just aesthetics.

Food Taipei 2026 clearly emphasized ESG and sustainability. The Green Vision Award was given to businesses with low-carbon packaging systems and the use of recycled materials, reflecting the increasing importance buyers in the Taiwanese market and the markets where they resell.

If your packaging is still traditional plastic without environmental information, you may be at a disadvantage in negotiations with some buyers, especially those selling to retail chains in Taiwan or Europe, which have their own sustainability policies.

Things to prepare regarding packaging before attending the event include clear information about the packaging materials used, whether they are recyclable, and if you have environmental certifications such as FSC for cardboard boxes or BPI for biodegradable plastics, you should bring them along. Also, if the product requires a cold chain, specify the level of low temperature the packaging can withstand.

Costs to calculate before deciding to export.

Many people only consider the product price and shipping costs, but the true cost of exporting Thai food to Taiwan is much higher. And if the calculations are wrong, the anticipated profit margin could be completely lost.

Costs that should be included in the calculation of landed costs include international freight, cargo insurance, Taiwan import duties (depending on the product's HS Code), customs fees and customs broker fees in Taiwan, inspection fees (if applicable), document translation and Chinese labeling fees, and participation expenses such as booth fees, travel, and accommodation.

For example, if you ship 1 FCL (20-foot container) of sauce by sea from Thailand to Taiwan, the shipping cost could be around 1,200–1,800 USD depending on the carrier and time of year. This plus customs broker fees in Taiwan of approximately 150–300 USD and import duties that need to be checked according to the actual HS Code are also factors to consider. These figures need to be known before setting a selling price.

Communicating with the buyer after the event: Things to prepare before heading home.

Trade shows don't end with just exchanging business cards. Most buyers follow up within 1-2 weeks after the event, and if you don't have the necessary information ready, your chances of closing the deal may decrease.

Things to prepare before the event to be able to answer buyers immediately after the event include: a product specification sheet in English (or Chinese) with complete information including ingredients, nutritional information, shelf life, and storage conditions; a clear MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity); calculated FOB or CIF prices (not ex-factory prices); lead time from order to ready-to-ship; and relevant certification documents that can be immediately provided to the buyer.

Many Taiwanese buyers will inquire about food safety certificates and lab test results before making a purchase. If you don't have them, you should start getting lab tests done with an accredited laboratory before attending the trade show. Waiting for lab results after the buyer requests them may delay the deal or cause the buyer to switch to a competitor.

If you're not ready for this year's event, what should you do first?

If you feel you don't have enough time or your documents are incomplete, rushing to the event unprepared may not yield the best results you expect. International buyers often make decisions based on the seller's readiness, not just the product's aesthetics.

If you're not ready for this year, here's what you should do: study your product's HS Code in Taiwan's tax system and check the actual import tax rates; conduct product lab tests according to TFDA standards; prepare traditional Chinese labels; contact experienced freight forwarders on the Thailand-Taiwan route to check actual shipping costs; and register for DITP's SMEs Pro-active program to receive support for future participation.

Preparing 6–12 months in advance of the event will allow you to arrive at your booth better prepared and give you a greater chance of securing a real deal than rushing there without having everything ready.

What to watch out for next in the Taiwanese food market.

The Taiwanese food market isn't limited to Food Taipei. Growing trends in Taiwan that Thai exporters should watch include functional foods with clear health claims, plant-based proteins and foods made from plants, foods with compelling ESG stories, and products with packaging that reduces plastic or uses recycled materials.

Furthermore, it's important to periodically monitor changes to TFDA regulations, as Taiwan regularly updates its labeling and ingredient requirements. If you are exporting goods containing ingredients that may be on a list requiring declaration or permits, always check with your customs broker or regulatory consultant in Taiwan before shipping.

For more information on export planning and preparing international shipping documents, you can refer to the following references. smeshipping.com This compiles international transportation information for Thai SMEs across various routes.

Exporting Thai food to Thailand: Double-check prices and before closing the container.

Before submitting a price quote to a buyer in Taiwan, you should clearly separate the cost of the goods, packing costs, shipping costs, insurance, documentation fees, and destination charges. If you combine everything into a single lump sum, you won't know where your profit goes when shipping costs change.

For the Food & Beverage sector, before quoting a price, the first step is to obtain complete destination information from the buyer. This includes the preferred port, Incoterms terms, desired delivery date, payment method, and customs clearance documents. This information helps you assess the risk before accepting the order.

If a buyer requests a price quote, you should check it carefully. Avoid giving a broad, approximate price; instead, provide a price range, specify the quotation's expiration date, and mention that freight surcharges or other additional costs may vary depending on the shipping booking date. This helps prevent disputes when the goods are ready for shipment.

Documentation issues should be checked from the beginning, not waiting until production is complete to inquire. Some documents require time to obtain from relevant agencies or labs. Missing documents on delivery day can result in costs beyond just penalties, including delays and decreased buyer trust.

A key area to discuss with your freight forwarder is information useful for SMEs planning sample shipments, booth materials, temperature-sensitive food exports, and packaging/cold-chain readiness for market entry in Taiwan. Ask about transit times for standard routes, alternative routes in case of risks, costs not included in the freight quote, and insurance claim conditions in case of damage or delays.

Another point to be aware of is that this is primarily a trade show promotional piece. It does not confirm purchase orders, policy changes, or market demand beyond participation at the fair. This information might not be visible in the initial quotation but will emerge when the buyer reviews documents or when customs at the destination request additional information. Preparing this information in advance can therefore help speed up the deal.

• Separate the cost of goods, shipping, insurance, and documentation onto different lines before submitting a price quote.
• Clearly confirm the Incoterms with the buyer, specifying who is responsible for the final delivery costs.
• Verify that the HS Code and product name in the invoice match the packing list and shipping documents.
• Please provide a freight quote that includes all applicable surcharges, not just the base freight price.
• Specify the expiration date of the quotation to mitigate the risk of fluctuating freight rates.
• Keep product certification documents and product photos ready to respond to buyers immediately.
• Start with a sample shipment if you haven't shipped to this market before, to reduce risk before placing a large order.

If you use this checklist before starting pricing discussions, your first export transaction won't be guesswork, but rather a decision based on actual costs, real documentation, and real risks. This will help you negotiate with the buyer with more confidence.

Source: Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) — Food Taipei 2026 Report and Thai Pavilion participation information. Entrepreneurs interested in the SMEs Pro-active project can find more details at: smesproactive.ditp.go.th