Taiwan

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

Truck Freight Business Licence Required

Yes

Yes, for the company operating the trucks. The Highway Act defines a motor transport business as one that carries passengers or goods by motor vehicle for payment, and lists “truck freight business” (carrying goods by truck as a business) as one category. Before operating, a company must apply to the MOTC for approval to prepare the business, complete company or commercial registration, and obtain an operating licence. Applications are handled by the Highway Bureau’s regional motor vehicle offices.

Moving-Only Licence Tier

Yes. Taiwan’s licensing rules recognize truck freight companies that handle household moving only. The general minimum for a truck freight business is paid-up capital of NT$25 million and at least 20 new trucks. A company dedicated to moving needs at least NT$10 million in capital and at least 8 new trucks. Every truck freight business must also have an office suited to its operations, parking that meets the applicable rules, and a vehicle repair shop of its own or a contract with a repair business.

Penalty for Operating Without Approval

Operating a motor transport business without approval can lead to a fine of NT$100,000 up to NT$25 million, depending on the severity, and an order to cease operating. The vehicles’ plates and the drivers’ licences can also be suspended or revoked.

Foreign Investment Requires Approval

Yes. The Highway Act bars foreign nationals and foreign entities from investing in or operating a motor transport business, except where the MOTC approves investment in certain categories, including truck freight. Foreign investors also need investment approval under the Statute for Investment by Foreign Nationals.

Commercial Vehicle Registration Required

Yes, where the mover operates its own trucks. A motor transport business may not register its trucks with private-use plates of the type used in its business; trucks used to carry clients’ goods are registered for commercial use. Taiwan’s traffic rules class anyone who drives as an occupation as a professional driver, and available sources indicate, but this research has not confirmed against the article text, that drivers of commercial trucks must hold a professional driving licence.

Compulsory Motor Insurance Required

Yes, where the mover operates its own trucks. Every vehicle owner must carry compulsory automobile liability insurance under the Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance Act. It covers injury or death of passengers and third parties in traffic accidents. It does not cover property damage or the goods being carried. This research found no rule requiring a mover to insure the goods it carries; under the moving contract terms, a customer who asks for insurance pays the premium, so customers should ask what protection, if any, is offered.

Carrier Liability Rules

Set mainly by the MOTC’s mandatory terms for moving contracts. The mover is liable for loss of or damage to goods during the move unless it proves force majeure, the nature of the goods, or fault by the customer. The customer must report visible damage within 3 days of completion and hidden damage within 10 days. The mover is not liable for cash, securities, jewelry, precious metals, art, antiques, or other valuables unless the customer declared their nature and value when booking, or the mover acted intentionally or negligently. Under the Civil Code, a clause on a receipt or other document that excludes or limits a carrier’s liability has no effect unless the customer expressly agreed to it. Separately, for goods lost or damaged in a traffic accident, the Highway Act limits compensation to NT$3,000 per piece unless the nature and value of the goods were declared in the contract before loading.

Standard Moving Contract

Yes. The MOTC has set mandatory and prohibited terms for moving contracts. The mover must show its operating licence, give an on-site written estimate, and use licensed commercial trucks. It must charge only the agreed price, with no added surcharges, and bear its own staff meals, travel, tolls, and fuel. On a per-trip price, extra trips beyond 20% over the estimate cannot be charged. The contract cannot waive the customer’s review period or let the mover change terms on its own. Under the Consumer Protection Act, the mandatory terms form part of the contract even if left out, and terms that break these rules are void.

Consumer Protection

Yes. The Consumer Protection Act is Taiwan’s general consumer protection law. Consumers must be given a reasonable period, of up to 30 days, to review a standard-form contract before signing. The Executive Yuan Consumer Protection Committee coordinates consumer protection policy, and local governments handle complaints and mediation. Businesses that fail to correct violations can be fined NT$30,000 to NT$300,000, rising to NT$50,000 to NT$500,000 per violation for repeated failures.

Consumer Complaint Resources (For Movers Not Vetted as ITMs)

Yes. Consumers can call the national consumer service line, 1950, during business hours to reach their local city or county consumer service center, or file online through the Consumer Protection Committee’s complaint system. The business must handle a complaint within 15 days. If it does not, the consumer can file a second complaint with the local consumer protection officer, and then apply to the local Consumer Dispute Mediation Committee. Consumers can also go to court at any stage.

Industry Association

None found. No national trade association dedicated to household moving was identified in this research.

OverviewOverview & Scope

Taiwan regulates the business of carrying goods for hire at the company level. A company that carries clients’ goods by truck for payment is a truck freight business under the Highway Act and must be approved by the MOTC, registered as a company or business, and licensed before it starts operating. Taiwan’s licensing rules also set a moving-only tier, with lower capital and fleet minimums than general truck freight. The licence attaches to whichever company operates the trucks. A mover that uses its own trucks needs it directly. Where a mover subcontracts the trucking, the carrier’s own licence covers the transport it performs, and the mover uses carriers that hold it. Foreign investment in a truck freight business is possible only with MOTC approval. The MOTC’s mandatory terms for moving contracts set the core rules on pricing, liability, and damage claims, and consumer complaints go first to the business, then to local consumer protection officers and mediation committees.

RegistrationRegistration & Compliance Essentials

Company licensing (where the mover operates its own trucks)

1. Obtain approval and an operating licence as a truck freight business from the MOTC, through the Highway Bureau, if the company operates its own trucks to carry clients’ goods, completing company or commercial registration during the preparation period as the Highway Act requires.
2. Meet the entry conditions for the licence tier, including minimum capital and new trucks (lower for a moving-only business), office, parking, and repair arrangements.
3. If any investor is a foreign national or foreign entity, obtain MOTC approval under Highway Act Article 35 and investment approval under the Statute for Investment by Foreign Nationals.

Subcontracted transport

4. Where transport is subcontracted, use carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they perform.

Vehicles and drivers (where the mover operates its own trucks)

5. Register every truck for commercial use and keep compulsory automobile liability insurance in force for each one.
6. Ensure every driver holds the driving licence required for the truck driven (available sources indicate a professional driving licence for commercial trucks; confirm with the Highway Bureau).

Customer practices

7. Use moving contracts that include the MOTC’s mandatory terms and none of the prohibited terms, including showing the operating licence, providing a written on-site estimate, charging only the agreed price, and giving the customer time to review the contract.
8. Ensure consumer-facing practices comply with the Consumer Protection Act, including handling complaints within 15 days.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

Company licensing

• Truck freight business operating licence held from the MOTC (Highway Bureau), under the applicable tier (general or moving-only) with its entry conditions metWhere applicable (mover operates its own trucks)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Company or commercial registration completed, as the Highway Act requires of a truck freight businessWhere applicable (mover operates its own trucks)Verified by DocumentRequired
• MOTC approval under Highway Act Article 35 and investment approval under the Statute for Investment by Foreign NationalsWhere applicable (truck freight business with a foreign national or foreign entity as investor)Verified by DocumentRequired

Subcontracted transport

• Where transport is subcontracted, the mover uses carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they performWhere applicableVerified by AffirmationRequired

Vehicles and drivers (where the mover operates its own trucks)

• Every truck registered for commercial useWhere applicable (mover operates its own trucks)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Compulsory automobile liability insurance in force for every truckWhere applicable (mover operates its own trucks)Verified by DocumentRequired

Customer practices

• Moving contracts include the MOTC mandatory terms and none of the prohibited terms (operating licence shown, written on-site estimate, agreed price only, contract review period)Verified by AffirmationRequired
• Practices comply with the Consumer Protection Act, including the 15-day complaint responseVerified by AffirmationRequired