Taiwan Post tracking

What is Taiwan Post?

Taiwan Post, officially named Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd., 中華郵政股份有限公司, is the national postal operator of Taiwan, operating as a government-owned corporation under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the Republic of China. The name Chunghwa Post translates as "Chinese Post," a designation first adopted in 1912 when the Republic of China renamed the former imperial postal service following the fall of the Qing Dynasty. The company's operations span three principal business lines covering mail and parcel delivery, postal savings and remittances banking, and postal life insurance, making it one of the most diversified postal institutions in Asia.

The institutional roots of Taiwan Post stretch back to 1878, when the Customs Post Office of the Qing Empire was established by statesman Li Hongzhang. On March 20, 1896, this office was reorganized into the Great Qing Post, which achieved independence from the customs authority in 1911. After the Republic of China government assumed administrative control of Taiwan in 1945 at the end of World War II, the island's postal service was incorporated into the broader Directorate General of Posts in 1946. A major transformation came on January 1, 2003, when that directorate was restructured into a government-owned corporation formally named Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd., a change designed to give the postal service greater operational flexibility and the ability to expand into new service areas.

A notable episode in the company's modern history came in February 2007, when then-President Chen Shui-bian announced a rebranding to "Taiwan Post" as part of an initiative to emphasize Taiwan's distinct identity. The new name took effect but was reversed on August 1, 2008, following a change in government, restoring the original Chunghwa Post name. Despite this reversal, "Taiwan Post" continues to be widely used in international shipping contexts, particularly among overseas buyers purchasing goods from Taiwanese sellers. The company's physical network covers approximately 1,300 post offices supervised by 23 large regional offices, extending service to remote townships and outlying islands alike.

• Date of establishment: 1878, as the Customs Post Office of the Qing Empire; current corporate structure in place since January 1, 2003
• Headquarters: Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan (Republic of China)
• Legal status: Government-owned corporation under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the Republic of China
• Post office network: Approximately 1,300 post offices nationwide, supervised by 23 large regional offices
• Core business lines: Mail and parcel services, postal savings and remittances banking, postal life insurance, and philately
• iBOX smart lockers: Over 2,408 automated parcel locker terminals deployed throughout Taiwan
• UPU membership: Taiwan's affiliation with the Universal Postal Union ended in 1972, when the People's Republic of China replaced the Republic of China at the organization
• Customer service within Taiwan: Toll-free hotline 0800-700-365
• International customer service: +886-2-2321-4311

The postal savings division of Chunghwa Post operates as the largest depository institution in Taiwan, a fact that reflects the level of public trust placed in the postal network beyond its logistics function. On the delivery side, the company has invested in modernizing its infrastructure through the iBOX smart locker network and a partnership with FamilyMart convenience stores launched in 2019, which together have extended pickup and drop-off access well beyond the traditional post office footprint. These developments have positioned Chunghwa Post as a full-service provider for domestic consumers and for businesses shipping e-commerce goods to international buyers.

Which countries does Taiwan Post deliver to?

Domestically, Chunghwa Post covers the entirety of Taiwan, serving all major cities including Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung, along with the island's outlying territories. The network of approximately 1,300 post offices forms a national grid that reaches rural communities and remote townships that private couriers often do not serve. Ordinary domestic mail is collected and delivered once each day on regular working days, excluding official public holidays.

Internationally, Chunghwa Post offers airmail services to approximately 103 destinations worldwide. The carrier maintains active shipping corridors covering North America, particularly the United States and Canada, Western and Eastern Europe, Northeast and Southeast Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Central and South America, and parts of Africa. The highest-volume routes include Taiwan to the United States, Taiwan to Japan, Taiwan to Hong Kong, Taiwan to Macau, Taiwan to Australia, and Taiwan to the major countries of the European Union.

• Domestic coverage: All of Taiwan, including Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and the outlying islands
• Northeast Asia: Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau
• Southeast Asia: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and others
• Oceania: Australia and New Zealand
• North America: United States and Canada
• Europe: Major EU member states, United Kingdom, and other European destinations
• Middle East: Israel and other regional destinations
• Central and South America: A range of destinations across the region
• Africa: Selected destinations
• Total international reach: Approximately 103 destinations via airmail services

An important structural aspect of Taiwan's international postal routing is that Taiwan is not a member of the Universal Postal Union, having been replaced by China Post in 1972. As a result, international mail is not exchanged through the standard UPU bilateral framework in all corridors. Chunghwa Post has instead established separate bilateral agreements with individual foreign postal operators to maintain global coverage. Japan Post, for instance, has historically served as a routing partner for mail from the Americas destined for Taiwan.

The carrier's international coverage is subject to change based on geopolitical developments and regulatory shifts. In March 2026, Chunghwa Post suspended mail services to 15 countries affected by the Iran conflict, citing the inability to guarantee reliable delivery to those regions. Separately, in August 2025, the company temporarily suspended all parcel acceptance to the United States following the end of the U.S. de minimis tariff exemption for low-value shipments from Taiwan, before resuming those services in October 2025. These episodes illustrate that active destinations can change and should be verified before shipping.

What are the Taiwan Post services and delivery times?

Chunghwa Post operates a range of domestic and international services organized by speed, weight class, and the level of tracking and compensation provided. For domestic shipments, the main offerings are ordinary mail, registered mail, domestic parcel post, and a Speedpost option for time-sensitive items. Ordinary domestic letters and parcels are typically delivered the next business day to most locations within Taiwan, with delivery generally completed before 2 p.m. Speedpost domestic items are typically handed over by 3 p.m., and a night delivery service is available in designated areas.

• Domestic Parcel Post: Standard parcel service for items up to 20 kg within Taiwan, delivered next business day to most locations
• Domestic Speedpost: Accelerated domestic delivery for time-sensitive parcels, typically handed over by 3 p.m.
• Postal EZ Box / Bag: Flat-rate box or bag format for domestic shipping, simplifying postage for standard-sized items
• International EMS: Premium international express service with full tracking and compensation for loss or damage, for parcels up to 30 kg
• International Parcel Post: Economy international service for heavier commercial goods, with tracking and compensation for loss
• International Registered Small Packet: For lightweight items up to 2 kg with a tracking number and compensation for loss, theft, or damage
• ePacket: Low-cost international service for e-commerce items up to 2 kg, with online tracking only and no compensation or inquiry service available

The flagship international product is the International Express Mail Service, known as EMS. EMS accepts parcels up to 30 kg per item and provides full tracking throughout transit. Tracking numbers for EMS shipments begin with the letter "E" and follow the standard 13-character international format. Delivery times for EMS are among the fastest available through the carrier. Shipments to Hong Kong and Macau average 1 to 2 business days, while most other destinations in Asia take 3 to 5 days. Destinations in the United States average 4 to 5 days, and Central and South American destinations average 5 to 7 days.

International Parcel Post is the economy alternative for heavier goods and commercial shipments. It provides tracking and compensation for loss but operates at a significantly slower pace than EMS, with delivery times ranging from 10 to 20 days depending on destination and the efficiency of the receiving country's postal network. ePacket is designed for small, lightweight e-commerce items up to 2 kg and is classified as ordinary letter-post, delivered without a signature requirement. This service carries no inquiry or indemnity coverage, meaning no compensation is available for items lost in transit. Delivery times for ePacket generally range from 7 to 20 days to most major destinations, placing it between standard parcel post and EMS in terms of speed.

The International Registered Small Packet covers items up to 2 kg and provides a tracking number along with compensation for loss, theft, or damage. Following a recent policy update, the signature-on-delivery requirement and formal inquiry service for this category were discontinued for most destinations outside of Mainland China, though tracking and compensation remain in place. Tracking numbers for registered small packets begin with the letter "R," while standard parcel post tracking numbers begin with the letter "C."

What are the Taiwan Post rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

Chunghwa Post calculates postage based on whichever is greater between actual weight and volumetric weight. The volumetric weight formula is length in centimeters multiplied by width in centimeters multiplied by height in centimeters, divided by 6,000. This calculation is applied so that bulky but lightweight items are priced in proportion to the transport space they occupy rather than their actual mass. For international shipments, rates vary by destination zone and by service type, with EMS priced at a premium over standard parcel post and ePacket offering the lowest cost for lightweight items.

For domestic parcel post, rates are tiered by weight bracket with incremental increases for each tier. Parcels that fall within the 20 kg maximum weight limit but exceed the combined dimensional threshold incur additional surcharges. Specifically, any domestic parcel where the combined length, width, and height exceeds 150 cm is subject to a surcharge of NTD 10 for every 10 cm over that threshold. The company's postal services are primarily optimized for letters, small parcels, and e-commerce packages rather than heavy industrial freight.

• Domestic Parcel Post: Maximum actual weight of 20 kg per item; surcharge of NTD 10 per 10 cm applies when length + width + height exceeds 150 cm
• International EMS: Maximum weight of 30 kg per item
• International Parcel Post: Maximum weight varies by destination, typically up to 20 to 30 kg
• ePacket: Maximum weight of 2 kg; maximum single side of 60 cm; length + width + height must not exceed 90 cm; minimum size 14 cm x 9 cm
• International Registered Small Packet: Maximum weight of 2 kg
• Volumetric weight formula: Length (cm) x width (cm) x height (cm) divided by 6,000
• Postage basis: The greater of actual weight or volumetric weight is used for rate calculation

The dimensional rules for ePacket are particularly precise compared to other services. A single side must not exceed 60 cm, and the combined total of all three dimensions must not exceed 90 cm, with a minimum piece size of 14 cm by 9 cm. These specifications reflect ePacket's design as a service built for compact e-commerce packages. For items that exceed ePacket's limits, International Registered Small Packet or International Parcel Post are the appropriate alternatives, with EMS available for priority shipments up to 30 kg regardless of destination.

What are the Taiwan Post delivery options?

The primary delivery method for both domestic and international Chunghwa Post items is home delivery to the recipient's registered address. Ordinary domestic mail is delivered once per day on regular working days. For registered items and parcels that require a signature, the carrier will attempt delivery during regular business hours. If the recipient is not available at the time of the attempt, a delivery notice is left instructing the recipient to collect the item from the local post office within the applicable holding period, which is 15 days for domestic parcels after a failed home delivery attempt.

• Home delivery: Primary method for all items; ordinary mail delivered once daily; registered items and parcels require recipient signature
• Post office pickup: Items held for collection after a failed delivery attempt; 15-day holding period for domestic parcels; 7-day holding period for international EMS
• iBOX smart lockers: Over 2,408 automated terminals across Taiwan; recipients collect using an SMS pickup code; 30-day holding period for both domestic parcels and international EMS items
• FamilyMart convenience stores: Domestic shipment drop-off and collection available at FamilyMart locations throughout Taiwan, following a 2019 partnership
• Workplace delivery: Recipients regularly absent during delivery hours may apply in writing to their local post office to redirect registered mail to a workplace address

Chunghwa Post's iBOX smart locker network provides an alternative to both home delivery and post office counter collection. With more than 2,408 terminals in operation and a next-generation rollout announced in late 2024, the iBOX system allows recipients to collect parcels at any hour using a code sent by SMS. The 30-day holding period at iBOX terminals is considerably longer than the 7 to 15 days that apply to items held at a post office counter, significantly reducing the risk of items being returned to sender due to missed pickups.

Signature requirements vary by service type. Registered mail, EMS, and parcels with a declared value require the recipient's signature upon delivery. Ordinary mail, ePacket and standard letter-post items are delivered without requiring a signature, making them more practical for recipients who are frequently away from home during delivery hours. For international EMS items held at a post office after a failed delivery attempt, the 7-day window is shorter than the 15 days for domestic parcels, so recipients should collect those items promptly upon receiving the delivery notice.

What should I do if my Taiwan Post parcel is lost or damaged?

Chunghwa Post has a formal claims process for international parcels that are lost, stolen, damaged, or have contents missing. The sender is required to visit the original sending post office in person to initiate a claim inquiry. The documents required for the visit are the original shipping receipt, a valid government-issued identification document, and a personal stamp (chop). Once submitted, the investigation is handled in accordance with applicable postal regulations and the bilateral conventions under which Chunghwa Post operates internationally, with compensation paid according to those same regulations.

• Required documents: Original shipping receipt, valid ID document, and personal stamp (chop)
• Where to file: In person at the original sending post office
• Compensation basis: Paid in accordance with applicable postal regulations and international postal conventions
• ePacket restriction: Inquiry and indemnity services are not available for ePacket; online tracking is the only tool available to monitor these shipments
• Tracking delays: Allow 24 to 48 hours for tracking information to appear online after acceptance before concluding a scan has been missed
• Domestic hotline: 0800-700-365 (toll-free within Taiwan)
• International hotline: +886-2-2321-4311
• In-person support: Any of the approximately 1,300 post offices throughout Taiwan

A critical distinction to understand before choosing a service is that ePacket shipments carry no inquiry or indemnity coverage. Senders who use ePacket to reduce shipping costs accept that if the item is lost in transit, no compensation will be paid and no formal investigation can be opened. For higher-value items, International EMS or the International Registered Small Packet are the recommended alternatives, as both services provide compensation for loss, theft, or damage. The registered small packet service's signature-on-delivery and formal inquiry options were removed for most destinations outside Mainland China following a recent policy update, though compensation itself remains available.

If a tracked shipment shows no movement for an extended period and has not arrived within the expected delivery window, the sender or recipient should contact Chunghwa Post customer service with the tracking number to request a formal investigation. System outages can affect tracking visibility across the network. A nationwide service disruption in March 2025 due to a major system failure caused tracking delays for customers across Taiwan, and similar disruptions may occasionally occur, making it advisable to allow some time for data to propagate before contacting customer service.

Does Taiwan Post handle international shipments and customs formalities?

For all international parcels containing goods, Chunghwa Post requires that senders complete a customs declaration form accurately and in full. General or vague descriptions of contents such as "foodstuffs," "samples," or "spare parts" are not acceptable. Each item within the parcel must be described specifically and clearly. The dispatch note must be completed in English or in a language acceptable to the destination country. A false, incomplete, or misleading declaration may result in the seizure of the parcel by the customs authority in the destination country.

Customs clearance at the destination is handled entirely by the customs authority of the receiving country and falls outside Chunghwa Post's control. The postal service bears no responsibility for mail submitted to customs for inspection, pursuant to the bilateral postal conventions under which Chunghwa Post operates internationally. The outcome of customs clearance, including the level of duties assessed, any delays incurred, or seizures, is determined solely by the destination country's regulations and enforcement practices.

• Customs declaration: Required for all international parcels containing goods; vague descriptions are not accepted; English or the destination country's accepted language must be used
• Duty responsibility: The recipient in the destination country is responsible for all applicable import duties, VAT, and customs fees (DDU model; no DDP option through standard postal services)
• Prohibited items: Explosives, compressed or liquefied gases, flammable substances, oxidizing agents, toxic and infectious substances, radioactive materials, corrosive materials, 3C electronics with applicable lithium battery restrictions, knives and impact weapons, magnetizing substances, and items prohibited by the destination country's laws
• U.S. service suspension (2025): Parcel acceptance to the United States was suspended from August 26, 2025, due to the end of the de minimis tariff exemption; services were resumed in October 2025
• Conflict zone suspensions (2026): Mail services to 15 countries affected by the Iran conflict were suspended as of March 2026
• ePacket limitation: No inquiry or indemnity service is available for ePacket shipments; online tracking only

The standard model for international Chunghwa Post shipments is DDU, meaning the recipient in the destination country is responsible for paying any applicable import duties, value-added tax, or other customs fees assessed on the shipment. Chunghwa Post does not offer a DDP, Delivered Duty Paid, arrangement through its standard postal products. Senders should research the import thresholds and duty rates of the destination country before shipping, to avoid unexpected charges for their buyers at the time of delivery.

The 2025 suspension of parcel services to the United States illustrates how exposed international postal operations can be to regulatory changes in destination markets. When the U.S. government ended the de minimis exemption that had allowed low-value shipments to enter duty-free, Chunghwa Post halted acceptance of all goods-containing mail categories to the U.S., covering EMS with goods, International Parcel Post, ePacket registered small packets, and ordinary small packets. The suspension took effect on August 26, 2025, and services were subsequently resumed in October 2025 following resolution of the regulatory situation.

Understanding tracking statuses

When tracking a Taiwan Post parcel online, different status messages appear as the item moves through the postal network. These updates are recorded each time the parcel is scanned at a processing facility, transfer point, or delivery office. Chunghwa Post tracking numbers follow the standard 13-character international format, consisting of two letters at the start, nine digits in the middle, and the two-letter country code "TW" at the end. The leading letters identify the service used, with "E" designating EMS shipments, "R" designating Registered Small Packet items, and "C" designating standard Parcel Post shipments. Tracking information typically becomes visible online within 24 to 48 hours after the parcel is accepted and scanned at a post office.