Market
Raisins (dried grapes) in Taiwan function primarily as an import-supplied processed fruit ingredient and snack product, with demand concentrated in household consumption and bakery/food manufacturing uses. Import clearance for raisins is tied to customs commodity classification and TFDA border inspection requirements under the Food Safety and Sanitation framework, and tariff lines for raisins are explicitly marked with food import regulation code F01. Market access risk is driven less by local production constraints and more by compliance performance at the border (documentation, sampling/testing outcomes) and conformance to Taiwan food additive standards where preservatives such as sulfites are used for specific raisin styles. Supply is generally available year-round due to the dried format, while quality is sensitive to moisture control during shipping and warehousing and to freight-cost volatility affecting landed cost.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer and ingredient market (net importer)
Domestic RoleDomestic consumption and food-manufacturing ingredient market (baking, snacks, cereals, desserts)
SeasonalityTypically available year-round in Taiwan because raisins are shelf-stable and can be stored/distributed continuously, with commercial supply timing influenced by origin harvest cycles and inventory planning.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighBorder non-compliance under Taiwan’s TFDA imported-food inspection regime (F01-coded food imports) can result in shipment delay, detention, or denial of entry (return/destruction), particularly if documentation is incomplete/inconsistent or if inspection/testing finds nonconformities (e.g., additives/preservatives not meeting Taiwan standards or not properly declared).Run a pre-shipment compliance checklist aligned to TFDA import inspection requirements: confirm correct HS classification, complete product ingredient/additive declarations, retain supporting QA/COA documentation, and ensure labeling/claims match the declared formulation and style.
Food Safety MediumSulfite preservatives (e.g., sulfur dioxide) are commonly associated with certain dried-fruit styles and are explicitly referenced in Codex raisin standards for bleached raisins; Taiwan requires food additive use to comply with TFDA standards, creating a risk of non-compliance if sulfites are used outside permitted scope/limits or are misdeclared.Specify sulfite status and target residual levels in purchase specs; require supplier documentation demonstrating compliance with TFDA additive standards and maintain robust ingredient/additive declaration controls for Taiwan entry and labeling.
Logistics MediumQuality can deteriorate from moisture ingress during sea freight and warehousing (clumping, fermentation off-notes, mold), and freight-rate volatility can materially affect landed costs for this import-dependent market.Use moisture-barrier packaging, container desiccants where appropriate, and strict warehouse humidity controls; diversify shipping schedules and contract terms to reduce exposure to spot-freight spikes.
Labor And Human Rights MediumRaisin supply chains inherit upstream grape-production labor risks; ILAB’s TVPRA list flags grapes in some countries for child labor, which can trigger buyer due diligence findings and reputational harm in Taiwan’s retail and food-manufacturing channels.Apply origin-risk screening, require supplier social compliance audits/assessments for grape harvesting and processing, and implement corrective-action and traceability programs for higher-risk origins.
Sustainability- Water stewardship and agrochemical management in upstream grape cultivation (origin-country risk carried into Taiwan’s imported supply chain)
- Moisture and mold risk management during storage and distribution in Taiwan’s humid climate
Labor & Social- Upstream grape production labor risk: the U.S. Department of Labor ILAB TVPRA list includes grapes with reported child labor in certain source countries (e.g., Argentina and Colombia), creating reputational and buyer-audit risk for raisin supply chains serving Taiwan.
Standards- HACCP
- ISO 22000
- FSSC 22000
- BRCGS Food Safety
FAQ
Do raisins imported for sale in Taiwan need TFDA border inspection?Yes. Foods imported for sale are subject to TFDA import inspection requirements under the Food Safety and Sanitation framework, and raisins are shown in the Taiwan tariff schedule with import regulation code F01, which is used for TFDA food import inspection handling.
What tariff lines are typically used for importing raisins into Taiwan?Taiwan’s tariff schedule lists raisin-specific lines including 08062010000 (in bulk) and 08062020008 (packed in boxes). The applicable duty treatment depends on the declared line and whether any preferential Column II rate is legitimately claimed with supporting origin documentation.
Are sulfites (sulfur dioxide) relevant for raisins, and what does that mean for Taiwan entry?They can be. Codex dried fruit standards explicitly recognize sulfur dioxide (INS 220) for bleached raisins, and Taiwan regulates food additive use under TFDA’s food additive standards. For Taiwan entry, this means sulfite use must be compliant with TFDA requirements and accurately declared in product information/labeling to avoid border non-compliance.