Keelung Customs stated that foreign crew members may apply for VAT refunds after shopping at designated stores. Refund methods include using the electronic automatic tax refund machine (KIOSK), collecting small amounts of cash or checks at the manual tax refund counter, or receiving refunds directly to a credit card.

Keelung Customs further explained that since the KIOSK at Keelung Port operates according to the cruise schedule and is only available at certain times, foreign crew members with irregular schedules may miss the KIOSK service window, which could affect their refund rights. To address this, Keelung Customs offers a convenient measure allowing foreign crew members to apply for manual tax refunds directly at the customs office beside the docked vessel.

After receiving the refund application documents submitted by the crew, customs officers will verify the refund application form and inspect the goods. Once verified, the documents will be faxed to the private tax refund operator (Chunghwa Telecom Tax Refund Office), which is responsible for processing the actual tax refunds.

Keelung Customs reminds foreign crew members to pay attention to the following when applying for tax refunds using this method:

• Prepare documents: Refund application form, original invoices, a copy of passport or entry/exit permit, and a copy of the refund credit card.
• Credit card refund only: This service only supports credit card refunds cash and checks are not available.
• Accepted cards: MASTER, VISA, JCB, and UnionPay with debit function (excluding American Express and UnionPay without debit function).
• Goods must be unused: Items must remain unopened, unused, and unaltered before departure to qualify for a refund.
• Customs role: The customs office only receives refund applications and inspects goods. Refund approval and payments are handled by Chunghwa Telecom Tax Refund Office.
  
  

Keelung Customs encourages shipping companies and port agencies to inform foreign crew members about this service. For refund inquiries, please contact Chunghwa Telecom Tax Refund Office (e-Tax Refund Service Website: https://www.taxrefund.net.tw).

Source: Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance