Taiwan’s customs office OKs Wii imports

According to Taiwan’s customs offices, people bringing in Nintendo Wiis into the country do not have to fear their consoles being confiscated by the National Communications Commission (NCC).

Chien Liang-chi, Directorate General of Customs director-general, further explained that travelers are allowed to bring in the Wii so long as it carried NCC certification labels, or similar certification. In the event that either was unavailable, Chien said that travelers would be able to fill out a similar application form at the airport.

For people carrying two Wii consoles, customs regulations require that the travelers pay a 5 % value-added tax (VAT) cost. For every third Wii carried, travelers will be accosted an additional NT$ 50.00 (US$ 1.50). Current regulations peg NT$ 20,000 (US$ 603) as the tax-free threshold. The Wii currently sells in Taiwan for approximately NT$ 7,000 (US$ 211) per unit.

In light of this, NCC spokesman Howard Shyr explained that the NCC’s ongoing regulation was required by law. “There was an incident in the past where the use of wireless microphones near the airport nearly affected aviation safety,” he said. “Unexpected consequences might occur with unregulated products.”

NCC’s announcements of regulating imported Wii consoles were earlier misinterpreted as a penalty against Wii users. This has been cleared up, with the Howard explaining that “Regulating consumers’ use of the product and the importation of electronics equipment are two different things.” The NCC is tasked with ensuring electronic products do not interfere with any telecommunication systems, or pose health hazards in Taiwan. This regulation was brought up due to the Wii’s use of wireless technology via its WiFi connection and Wiimote controller.

According to Taiwan’s customs offices, people bringing in Nintendo Wiis into the country do not have to fear their consoles being confiscated by the National Communications Commission (NCC).

Chien Liang-chi, Directorate General of Customs director-general, further explained that travelers are allowed to bring in the Wii so long as it carried NCC certification labels, or similar certification. In the event that either was unavailable, Chien said that travelers would be able to fill out a similar application form at the airport.

For people carrying two Wii consoles, customs regulations require that the travelers pay a 5 % value-added tax (VAT) cost. For every third Wii carried, travelers will be accosted an additional NT$ 50.00 (US$ 1.50). Current regulations peg NT$ 20,000 (US$ 603) as the tax-free threshold. The Wii currently sells in Taiwan for approximately NT$ 7,000 (US$ 211) per unit.

In light of this, NCC spokesman Howard Shyr explained that the NCC’s ongoing regulation was required by law. “There was an incident in the past where the use of wireless microphones near the airport nearly affected aviation safety,” he said. “Unexpected consequences might occur with unregulated products.”

NCC’s announcements of regulating imported Wii consoles were earlier misinterpreted as a penalty against Wii users. This has been cleared up, with the Howard explaining that “Regulating consumers’ use of the product and the importation of electronics equipment are two different things.” The NCC is tasked with ensuring electronic products do not interfere with any telecommunication systems, or pose health hazards in Taiwan. This regulation was brought up due to the Wii’s use of wireless technology via its WiFi connection and Wiimote controller.