Taiwan, Germany launch reciprocal automated customs clearance program - Focus Taiwan

Germany's EasyPass system. Photo taken from EasyPass website

Taipei, Dec. 12 (CNA) Taiwan and Germany have launched a program that allows reciprocal access to automated customs clearance, making Taiwan the fourth non-European Union country granted the privilege by Germany, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) announced on Monday.

The new program, which came into force on Dec. 10, allows Taiwanese travelers to use Germany's EasyPass border control system, and Germans to use Taiwan's e-Gate system, according to NIA Director Chung Ching-kun (鐘景琨).

"A reciprocal customs clearance agreement will benefit Germany and Taiwan by facilitating travel and trade between the two economies. It will also enhance cooperation and connectivity, and strengthen the relationship between Germany and Taiwan," said Axel Limberg, chief representative and executive director of the German Trade Office Taipei.

Limberg added that the agreement made Taiwan the fourth non-EU country to be granted access to Germany's EasyPass system.

For Taiwanese travelers to Germany, EasyPass systems are available in the following eight airports: Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Cologne/Bonn, Dusseldorf, Berlin Brandenburg, Stuttgart, Hanover and Hamburg.

To be eligible for the program, Taiwanese travelers must be at least 18 years of age, have no criminal record in Germany and hold a passport with a chip and a unified ID number.

Additionally, Taiwanese traveling to Germany to work or residence are also required to have a valid visa or residence permit.

German travelers, meanwhile, will need a chipped-passport that is valid at least six months before expiration.

German travelers must also be at least 18 years old and 140 centimeters in height with no criminal record in Taiwan to be able to use Taiwan's e-Gate.

Germany is the fifth country to have a reciprocal customs clearance agreement with Taiwan after the United States, South Korea, Australia and Italy.

The agreement formalizes an arrangement that began in summer 2018 when Taiwanese travelers departing from Germany were granted permission to clear immigration via EasyPass on a trial basis at Frankfurt and Munchen airports.