Taiwan customs reminds importers to distinguish fiber types

Taipei, Sept. 9 (CNA) Taiwan's Customs Administration has reminded importers to carefully distinguish between recycled fibers and artificial fibers when declaring tariff codes.

Speaking at a routine news conference on Monday, Su Shu-cheng (蘇淑貞), deputy director-general of the agency, said questions about classification have become more frequent recently, with environmental awareness on the rise worldwide.

She explained that recycled fibers are often made from discarded plastic bottles and other plastics, with their tariff classification determined by material type.

For example, women's trousers made of 100 percent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycled fiber are classified as synthetic fibers under tariff code 6204.63.10, carrying a 12 percent tariff rate with no import restrictions, Su said.

Artificial fibers, by contrast, are produced mainly from chemically modified natural wood pulp, and commonly include rayon and Tencel, according to Su.

She said women's trousers made of 100 percent rayon fall under tariff code 6204.69.21, with a 12 percent tariff rate and import rules designating them as products that are conditionally permitted to be imported from China.

She added that customs will correct simple misclassifications but will impose penalties for false declarations.

Su also urged importers to confirm the composition of their products, declare the correct tariff codes, and prepare supporting documents in advance to speed up clearance.