Taipei: Taiwan's Customs Administration has issued a reminder to importers to carefully distinguish between recycled fibers and artificial fibers when declaring tariff codes.
According to Focus Taiwan, Su Shu-cheng, the deputy director-general of the agency, highlighted at a routine news conference that questions regarding classification have become more prevalent, coinciding with the rise in global environmental awareness.
Su explained that recycled fibers, often derived from discarded plastic bottles and other plastics, have their tariff classifications determined by the type of material used. For instance, women's trousers made from 100 percent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycled fiber are categorized as synthetic fibers under tariff code 6204.63.10. These are subject to a 12 percent tariff rate, with no import restrictions.
Conversely, artificial fibers are typically produced from chemically modified natural wood pulp and include materials such as rayon and Tencel. Su noted that women's trousers made from 100 percent rayon fall under tariff code 6204.69.21. These carry a 12 percent tariff rate and are designated as products that are conditionally allowed to be imported from China.
Su emphasized that while customs will address simple misclassifications, penalties will be imposed for false declarations. She urged importers to verify the composition of their products, declare the correct tariff codes, and prepare supporting documents in advance to expedite the clearance process.