Due to the strict regulations of organic products in Taiwan, National Organic Program (NOP) certified organic exports to Taiwan may be subject to additional residue, food additive, and GMO testing in port before the product is approved for entry. Further testing may occur during market surveillance once the product has entered the country. Organic products shipped to Taiwan must be produced “using zero prohibited substances” and self-testing of exports is highly encouraged.
CCOF members exporting to Taiwan should work closely with their importer in Taiwan to ensure exporting documents (TM-11s) are consistent and test results are communicated. The Taiwan authorities report errors on up to 30 percent of TM-11 documents. Inaccuracies on your organic export documents are a red flag for testing in port and could result in shipments being held up for several weeks during lab analysis.
These sections on the TM-11 need to match exactly with your Taiwan importer’s Organic Application records:
- Exported by
- Consigned to
- Product as labeled
- Lot number
- Marked weight of lot
Positive test results in port could result in the removal of your organic label before entry, the shipment being returned to the United States, or the product being destroyed. This decision and the testing fee are your importer’s responsibility. CCOF suggests that you ask your importer to keep you informed of any testing. CCOF-certified operations who are notified of positive test results should contact export@ccof.org.
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has developed a technical resource manual for U.S. organic exporters. Read the Taiwan Export Manual for a thorough explanation of the Taiwanese market.
CCOF highly encourages all operations exporting to Taiwan to read OTA’s Taiwan Export Manual and test all organic products before shipping to Taiwan.