Firearms, ammunition, controlled swords, simulation guns, police weapons
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/TPKM/14
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 11/12/2023
Outline of Systems
Q1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described are also present in another system.
For upholding the safety and peace of society, applicants importing the products specified below need to apply for an import approval before proceeding for customs clearance.
Import of Firearms, Ammunition, Simulation Guns:
Importers shall apply for an approval from the National Police Administration, Ministry of Interior (hereinafter the "NPA") pursuant to the "Firearms, Ammunition and Knives Control Act" and the "Regulation Governing Permission and Control of Firearms, Ammunition, and Knives".
Import of Controlled Swords:
Importers shall apply for an approval from the Municipal, City or County police station pursuant to the "Firearms, Ammunition and Knives Control Act" and the "Regulation Governing Permission and Control of Firearms, Ammunition, and Knives".
Import of Police Weapons:
Importers shall apply for an approval from the NPA pursuant to "The Use of Police Weapons Act " and the "Regulations Governing the Permission to Manufacture, Sell and Possess Police Weapons".
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
Licensing coverage of "Firearms, Ammunition, Controlled Swords, Simulation Guns, Police Weapons" are C.C.C. Code: 3824999921-7, 7326909010-3, 9302000000-7, 9303100000-4, 9303200000-2, 9303300000-0, 9303909010-6, 9303909090-9, 9304000010-3, 9304000020-1, 9304000030-9, 9304000040-7, 9304000090-6, 9305100000-2, 9305201000-8, 9305209000-1, 9305910000-4, 9305990010-4, 9305990090-7, 9306301020-1, 9306210000-8, 9306290000-0, 9306309000-8, 9306900000-4, 9307000010-0, 9506990010-1, 9705000020-6.
The licensing system is non-automatic.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
The system applies to goods originating in and coming from all countries and customs territories, unless otherwise specified in the accession protocol of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu or the agreement on the terms of accession to the WTO.
Q4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are its purposes? Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which? Why have they not been adopted?
The system is for the purpose of upholding the safety and peace of society. Currently, there are no other methods of import that can substitute for this system.
Q5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained. Is the licensing statutorily required? Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion? Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Regulation Governing Permission and Control of Firearms, Ammunition, and Knives; Firearms, Ammunition and Knives Control Act; Social Order Maintaining Law (Partial Articles); The Use of Police Weapons Act; Regulation Governing Permission and Control of Firearms, Ammunition, and Knives
Abolition of the "Firearms, Ammunition and Knives Control Act ", "The Use of Police Weapons Act " requires the endorsement of the legislative branch of the government, repeal of the "Regulation Governing Permission and Control of Firearms, Ammunition, and Knives", "Regulations Governing the Permission to Manufacture, Sell and Possess Police Weapons" does not need approval from the legislative branch of the government.
Procedures
Q6. For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally):
Q6.I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing applications for licences? If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible importers? Of governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
Q6.II. How is the size of the quotas determined: on a yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
Q6.III. Are licences allotted for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are the names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate.)
Q6.IV. From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Q6.VII. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Q6.VIII. If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and, if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
Q6.IX. In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
Q6.X. In cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?
Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:
Q7.a. How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made? Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?
May be filed on any workday.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
No licence can be granted immediately as evaluation of application requires 7 working days.
Q7.c. Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made? If so, explain.
There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made.
Q7.d. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
For import of "Firearms, Ammunition, Simulation Guns, Police Weapons" or "Controlled Swords", an importer must approach the NPA, Ministry of National Defense or the Municipal, City or County police station separately for approval.
For import of "Firearms, Ammunition, Simulation Guns, Police Weapons" or "Controlled Swords", an importer must approach the NPA, Ministry of National Defense or the Municipal, City or County police station separately for approval.
Q8. Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria? Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant? Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
None. The reasons for any refusal shall be given to the applicant in writing. In the event of refusal, the applicant has the right to file a complaint with the refusing agency or appeal to the agency superior to the refusing agency according to the Law of Administration Appeal.
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence
Q9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licences: (If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation? What persons or firms are eligible? Is there a registration fee? Is there a published list of authorized importers?) a) under restrictive licensing systems? b) under non-restrictive systems?
To import of "Firearms, Ammunition", "Simulation Guns" and "Controlled Swords", an applicant must be a government licensed business operator, user, or individual; to import "Police Weapons", an applicant has to be commissioned for procurement by military agencies or police institutions.
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence
Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
For "Firearms, Ammunition" , "Simulation Guns" and "Controlled Swords": a letter of application stating the name, quantity of the goods, country of origin, country of sale, purpose and usage of the imported commodities, and power of attorney. For "Police Weapons": a proof of procurement document from military agencies or police institutions stating intended quantity to be purchased and a product description document.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
Upon actual importation of "Firearms, Ammunition, Simulation Guns, Controlled Swords" or "Police Weapons", an import approval issued by the NPA, Ministry of National Defense or the Municipal, City or County police station is required.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
There is no licensing fee or administrative charge for Firearms, Ammunition, Controlled Swords, Simulation Guns, and Police Weapons.
Q13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences? If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement.
There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issuance of an approval.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
Approval documents from the NPA, Ministry of National Defense or the Municipal, City or County police station are valid for six months. Upon justifiable reason, the original licensing authority may extend the validity of the import approval documents.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for the non-utilization of an approval or a portion of it.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Approval documents are not transferable between importers.
Q17. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction?
There are no conditions attached to the issuance of an approval.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
Apart from obtaining, prior to importation, the above described approval document; there are no other administrative procedures.
Q19. Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported? Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange? Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued? What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
Foreign exchange is automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported.