Note: You will definitely be refused entry if coming from China (apart from Hong Kong or Macau) as it is not legal to come from a port in mainland China.

PRE-ARRIVAL

The MTNet (Maritime Transport Network Portal) should be used whenever entering or leaving a Port of Entry. Allow at least two weeks before your first arrival in the country for processing the initial documents. See Documents for the details. No paperwork is processed over the weekend.

While use of an agent is not mandatory, an agent is definitely helpful, not only for operating the MTNet webpage but also for contacting CIQS when entering Taiwan. However you should be able to do it without an agent. It’s also a good idea to ask assistance from your destination marina, most of the private marinas can provide an entry service. Just make sure you ask for the registered username and password for MTNet, you’ll need them if you want to do it yourself later or change to another agent.

Maritime and Port Bureau (MOTC)
Website: https://en.motcmpb.gov.tw/
Email: service@mtnet.gov.tw

ARRIVAL FORMALITIES

Ports of Entry:

Foreign vessels are only allowed to enter international commercial ports by default. Those ports are Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taichung, Taipei, Keelong, Suao and Hualien. If you want to travel to other ports, you need to apply for a special permit in th MTNet system. Just make sure you tick the special permit option.

Advance Notification:

Cruisers must visit a Port of Entry to conduct clearance procedures prior to proceeding to any other ports that are not Ports of Entry.

At all Ports of Entry the Port Authority should be contacted on VHF Channel 16 before entering the harbour. When approaching the port, contact Port Authority (official callsign “Kaohsiung VTS”, but they respond to other meaningful callsigns as well such as “Port Control”) well in advance. Approximately 10nm from the port is preferred.

General Process:

• Foreign yachts must first go to the quarantine pier to revive a CIQS check before going to their destination marina. This should only take few hours if everything is well planned.
• A crew list will need to be submitted on entry and departure.
• Customs generally ignore smaller private yachts (or are often extremely informal). It may also be unnecessary to visit the Harbour Master. However, it is worth checking to make sure all your clearance procedures are done properly.

Domestic Cruising:

Once initial entry at a Port of Entry has been made, other small harbours (usually referred to as “fishing harbours”) can be visited. Many harbours are accessible simply via MTNet. See this map for the various harbours.

For day sailing, you need to fill in the form Reporting Form for departing Yachts – English (Chinese Version). It is only necessary to fill out one language. Make 3 copies of the completed form.

• One copy should be taken to the Security Check Office of Coast Guard Administration at the port of your embarkation before your departure with your yacht. In the event that the yacht navigated by you does not return as scheduled, the Coast Guard will immediately inform all entities concerned to watch or to help locate your yacht. In the event you are delayed or change your destination, you must contact the Security Check Office to inform them.
• One copy must be carried on board ready for inspection.
• The third copy is to be handed in at your port of disembarkation.
• Accompanying papers:
  (1) Passengers: ID Cards/passports
  (2) Yacht: Yacht license, yacht master’s license
  (3) Crew list

Contacts for visiting yachts:

• A helpful adviser and contact is Mr. Ting Kuo (sailkuo@seed.net.tw), Tel: 886 922-882286.
• Mr. Roger Cheng is a useful contact in the North & South (see Clearance Agents).
• Mr. Peter Pan is another useful contact in the south -sailing school and marine services supplier. E-mail: khsailing@gmail.com, +886-7-5510500, +886-918053005.

Last updated: October 2022

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