Yes, absinthe is legal in Taiwan, but its sale is tightly controlled under the Regulations Governing the Management of Alcoholic Beverages. The National Communications Commission (NCC) and the Ministry of Finance’s Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco Tax (BATT) enforce strict labeling and import requirements, including a ban on thujone content exceeding 10 ppm. Recent 2026 amendments to the Alcohol Administration Act further restrict online sales to licensed vendors only, aligning with the government’s push to curb unregulated alcohol imports.
Key Regulations for Absinthe in Taiwan
- Thujone Limit: Absinthe must contain ≤10 ppm of thujone, as mandated by the Standards for Food Additives under the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). Products exceeding this threshold are classified as controlled substances under the Controlled Drugs Act.
- Licensing for Imports: Importers must obtain a Special Alcohol Import License from BATT, which requires proof of compliance with thujone limits and pre-approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unlicensed imports face confiscation under customs regulations.
- Labeling Mandates: Labels must explicitly state “Absinthe” (not “Absinth”), list ingredients, and include a health warning in Mandarin. Mislabeling triggers penalties under the Consumer Protection Act, including fines up to NT$2 million (≈US$65,000).