Taiwan Expands Import Ban on Mercury-Containing Products

On June 22, 2026, the Taiwan Ministry of Environment (MOENV) issued an amendment to the Restrictions on the Import of Mercury-Containing Products. Effective July 1, 2026, the amendment expands the scope of prohibited mercury-containing products and establishes a phased prohibition schedule running from 2026 through 2028. This move aims to systematically phase out mercury-containing products across Taiwan, aligning its policy with the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

Scope of the Regulation and Implementation Timelines

The regulation bans the import of listed mercury-containing products across three distinct phases.

Effective Date	Prohibited Mercury-Containing Products
July 1, 2026	Switches and relays High-pressure mercury lamps for general lighting. Self-ballasted fluorescent lamps (≤ 30 watts) for general lighting Cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) and external electrode fluorescent lamps (EEFLs) for electronic displays Strain gauges used in plethysmographs Mercury vacuum pumps Tire balancers and wheel balance weights Photographic film and photographic paper Propellants for space vehicles Electrical and electronic measuring instruments (e.g., melt pressure transducers, transmitters, and sensors) Non-electronic measuring instruments, such as barometers, hygrometers, pressure gauges, thermometers (including body thermometers), and sphygmomanometers. Note: Item 1, 2 and 11 were previously restricted; however, this amendment eliminates the previous regulatory exemptions for Item 1 and 11.
January 1, 2027	Compact fluorescent lamps for general lighting Linear and non-linear fluorescent lamps for general lighting that use halophosphate phosphors
January 1, 2028	Linear and non-linear fluorescent lamps for general lighting that use triband phosphors

Effective Date

Prohibited Mercury-Containing Products

July 1, 2026

Switches and relays
High-pressure mercury lamps for general lighting.
Self-ballasted fluorescent lamps (≤ 30 watts) for general lighting
Cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) and external electrode fluorescent lamps (EEFLs) for electronic displays
Strain gauges used in plethysmographs
Mercury vacuum pumps
Tire balancers and wheel balance weights
Photographic film and photographic paper
Propellants for space vehicles
Electrical and electronic measuring instruments (e.g., melt pressure transducers, transmitters, and sensors)
Non-electronic measuring instruments, such as barometers, hygrometers, pressure gauges, thermometers (including body thermometers), and sphygmomanometers.

Note: Item 1, 2 and 11 were previously restricted; however, this amendment eliminates the previous regulatory exemptions for Item 1 and 11.

January 1, 2027

Compact fluorescent lamps for general lighting
Linear and non-linear fluorescent lamps for general lighting that use halophosphate phosphors

January 1, 2028

Linear and non-linear fluorescent lamps for general lighting that use triband phosphors

Exemptions and Compliance Requirements

The MOENV has established limited exemption provisions. Importers handling prohibited items may apply for import clearance, provided they submit verified documentation and obtain formal approval from the authority. Exemptions are strictly limited to the following:

Products essential for civil protection and military applications.
Products used for research, testing, education, instrument calibration, or as reference standards.
Specific applications where no feasible mercury-free alternatives are currently available, restricted to:

High-accuracy capacitors, loss measuring bridges, and high-frequency RF switches and relays used in monitoring instruments.
CCFLs and EEFLs for electronic displays.
Electrical, electronic, or non-electronic measuring instruments installed in large-scale equipment or utilized for high-precision measurements.

Importers must ensure that any requests for exemptions are thoroughly documented and submitted prior to scheduled import activities to avoid supply chain disruptions.