In the age of the Internet, online shopping is so convenient that a few clicks on your mouse will have furniture, small appliances, toys and even groceries sent to your doorstep.
But Taiwan really takes borderless shopping to a new level. Here, it is very common to place an order goods online and have professional shoppers bring them into Taiwan for you! This is getting a little out of hand, the government says.
There’s cup ramen from Japan, cute pens from South Korea and stationery that’s also from Japan. Some of these popular items aren’t sold in Taiwan, but if you want them enough, there are people who can get them to you.
Professional shopping agents travel to Japan, Korea and other countries to buy goods that are popular among Taiwanese people. They make a profit by selling cosmetic products, instant coffee, cookies and more at a slightly higher price. But for those in this business, the government has a new law that bans them from bringing in more than six kilograms of edible goods in one day.
The Food and Drug Administration says general food items, baby formula and baby foods have a six kilogram limit, while supplements or drugs in pill or capsule form are limited to 36 bottles.
What happens when you don’t stick to the limit? The government is planning to pass a bill that will slap shoppers who went overboard with a NT$3 million fine. Shopping agents are saying they can only shop strategically and bring in lighter goods now. So be careful how much of that coveted brand of chocolate bar you bring in on your next trip!