【Must-read for shipments to Taiwan🇹🇼】Real-name authentication app: EZ WAY

To prevent fraudulent declarations of express import goods, the real-name authentication APP for express parcels, "EZ WAY," has issued a notice. Starting from June 20, overseas IPs will be prohibited from connecting to EZ WAY for real-name authentication registration and real-name authorization. The Customs Administration stated that after the new system is implemented, normal users of the APP will not be affected when importing goods purchased online from overseas.

Customs brokers should obtain authorization from the importer when handling declarations. However, in practice, express goods have the characteristic of "customs clearance upon arrival." Current regulations allow customs brokers to obtain import authorization from the importer after the goods are released under specific conditions. This has led to cases where individuals' personal data has been stolen by illegal individuals and used for customs declaration of illegal or controlled items.

Update: EZ WAY to prohibit "overseas IP connections" starting June 20, 2025

To prevent fraudulent declarations, the Ministry of Finance Customs Administration has introduced "pre-authorization" measures. This means that before each express parcel clears customs, the customs broker must first obtain real-name authorization from the public. For example, by asking the recipient to authorize through the EZ WAY APP, customs will then accept customs clearance. This moves the real-name authentication step before parcel customs clearance, ensuring that the actual recipient can be identified for every cleared parcel.

In addition to high-risk importers who have already been mandated for pre-authorization (e.g., those with previous import violations, repeated failures to confirm authorization via the EZ WAY APP, or abnormal APP account usage), the public can now choose whether to actively join pre-authorization.

However, recent observations indicate that a significant number of fraudulent declarations come from overseas IPs. To further prevent fraudulent registrations and enhance service security, the EZ WAY APP will prohibit overseas IP connections for real-name authentication registration and real-name authorization starting from June 20. It is recommended that the public connect via domestic networks instead.

The Customs Administration stated that after the new system is implemented, existing normal APP users will not be affected by overseas online shopping imports. If individuals are traveling abroad, they can confirm their authorization via the APP before leaving or after returning to the country.

 

What is EZ WAY? How to register?

All parcels imported into Taiwan now require customs declaration. When an importer entrusts a customs broker to declare to customs, relevant authorization documents must be provided. However, due to the lack of privacy for personal data in paper documents and the long processing time, online real-name processing has been adopted instead.

By completing mobile phone binding with your ID number through EZ WAY, if your data is found to be misused, you can report it through the App, preventing goods from easily clearing customs and being delivered to your home, and avoiding being scammed. Compared to traditional paper-based procedures, it offers higher security and a more streamlined process.

 

What you need:

• Mobile phone
• ID card

Steps

1. Download EZ Way 
2. Click on member registration, select "Republic of China", and press start
3. Fill in your name, phone number, ID number, and set up your account password.
4. Take out your ID card and take photos of both sides
5. Receive an SMS and enter the verification code
6. Complete registration

Step
1

Download EZ Way

Android real-name authentication APP download link and QR Code
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tradevan.android.forms
 

iPhone real-name authentication APP download link and QR Code
https://itunes.apple.com/tw/app/ez-way-%E6%98%93%E5%88%A9%E5%A7%94/id1127781971?mt=8

 

Step
2

Click on member registration, select "Republic of China," and press start

 

Step
3

Fill in your name, phone number, ID number, and set up your account password.

 

Step
4

Take out your ID card and take photos of both sides

 

Step
5

Receive an SMS and enter the verification code

 

Step
6

Complete registration

 

 

Are there other verification methods besides ID card or ARC?

Yes, you can use telecom authentication.

 

If you use telecom authentication, you don't need to upload an ID photo. You just need to authenticate, and once the telecom company confirms the information is correct, registration is complete. However, there are a few things to note:

1. You need to turn off Wi-Fi and use 3G/4G/5G internet.
2. If you have a dual-SIM phone, the SIM card used for internet access must be the same as the registered mobile number.
3. Publicly registered numbers, prepaid cards, family cards, or other special telecom plans cannot be authenticated.
4. Telecom companies are limited to Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone, Taiwan Mobile, Asia Pacific Telecom, and T Star.

 

Telecom Authentication VS SMS Authentication

 

 

Telecom Authentication

This is the authentication method recommended by EZ WAY officials, as it is faster and does not require uploading an ID photo.
However, it has more restrictions. In addition to the applicant being a Taiwanese national, the mobile number used must be registered under their ID number with one of the five major telecom operators (Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone, Taiwan Mobile, Asia Pacific Telecom, and T Star). It cannot be a prepaid card or a special number like a company phone.
Furthermore, the mobile number used must have 4G internet service, and the SIM card in the phone at the time of authentication must match the registered mobile number.

 

SMS Authentication

Compared to telecom authentication, SMS authentication has fewer restrictions.
The mobile number used to receive the SMS verification code can be a mobile number not registered under the applicant's ID number, or a number with a prepaid card, company phone, or other special tariff plans. Additionally, the phone does not need to have 4G internet functionality to receive the SMS verification code.
In other words, if a mobile number cannot meet the conditions required for telecom authentication, using SMS authentication will almost always succeed.

 

 

If both telecom and SMS authentication fail, what can I do? 

You can contact the Customs Administration for assistance/to process a paper authorization (this usually only happens to people who have just moved to Taiwan).

 

Paper Authorization 

1. Individual Power of Attorney (requires personal signature and seal)

2. A photocopy of both sides of your ID card, and submit the physical documents to the logistics customs broker for customs clearance authorization.

Note: If shipping via LHK Express, paper authorization must be communicated to the customer service staff before shipping to avoid customs clearance delays.

 

 

Customs Administration Assistance

Agency address: No. 13, Tacheng St., Datong Dist., Taipei City 10341 🌏

Email: customs@customs.gov.tw

Office hours: Monday to Friday, 08:30 AM ~ 12:30 PM, 01:30 PM ~ 05:30 PM (Service center remains open during lunch break)

EZWAY: (02)7735-2812 (Trade-Van Customer Service Center)

Customs/Port/Trade Single Window: 0800-299-889 / (02)2550-6409

Business service phone: (02)2550-5500 ext. 2116

Night and holiday system anomaly notification: (02) 2550-5500 ext. 2302

Customs toll-free single service phone: 0800-005-055

Fax: (02)2550-7643

 

EZ WAY operation tutorial

 

Customs declaration and package confirmation

Click "Declaration matched" and then submit.

If you are unsure whether it is an LHK Express package, you can contact customer service to inquire.

Image source: Ministry of Finance

 

 

Can I not click "Declaration matched"?

According to research by the LHK team, recipients can still successfully receive packages even without clicking "Declaration matched." However, according to experienced customs brokers, if recipients consistently fail to click "Declaration matched," which goes against the original design of EZWAY, it could lead to subsequent packages being flagged and an increased chance of packages being "stuck in customs." Therefore, we recommend that recipients click "Declaration matched" to avoid unexpected inconveniences if rules or regulations change in the future.

 

Do packages need to pay taxes? 

For packages sent via LHK Express, all taxes are prepaid, and recipients are 100% exempt from paying taxes. The LHK team's design aims to reduce tax disputes and streamline the process, delivering packages to recipients as quickly as possible.

 

Is EZ WAY safe?

Although paper documents offer less privacy, some people are still concerned about digital data leakage. According to the Ministry of Finance's Customs Administration, EZWAY uses the same level of information security protection measures as customs, complies with international standards, and has passed ISO 27001 information security certification. Your personal data will be strictly protected and used only by customs brokers to verify whether your name and phone number have undergone real-name authentication; it will not be disclosed to other units or used for other purposes.

 

Is EZ WAY government-owned?

"EZWay" is a customs declaration APP developed by a vendor commissioned by the Ministry of Finance's Customs Administration to promote the real-name authentication system for parcels. Its purpose is to simplify the traditional paper-based customs authorization process and provide a more convenient customs clearance method. Users only need to complete identity verification on EZWay in advance, providing information such as their name, ID, and mobile number. When goods purchased overseas enter customs, the APP will push a notification to the user to confirm whether they are the purchaser of the goods.

 

What happens if EZ WAY is not responded to?

The package cannot be declared for import due to incomplete authorization. 

 

Confirm EZ Way message as soon as possible, Safe Service can deliver in 4 days