The Port Bureau revised the "Principles for non-resident yachts coming to Taiwan" and imposed a maximum fine of NT$300,000 on Chinese-funded yacht applications.

The Airports and Ports Bureau recently revised the "Principles for Review of the Period for Non-resident Yachts Applying for Charters to Come to Taiwan", which added that Chinese-owned yachts do not apply to this principle and cannot apply to come to Taiwan. It also clearly lists the required documents for application and the calculation method of the time limit. Violators will be fined up to NT$300,000 and must leave the port immediately.

In response to the practical needs of non-resident yachts applying to come to Taiwan, the Port Bureau recently announced amendments to the "Principles for Review of the Permit Period for Non-resident yachts applying to come to Taiwan." The reason for this revision is that the Port Bureau stated that in order to have a consistent approach when reviewing application documents for charters for non-resident yachts to come to Taiwan and determining the concession period, the review principles were revised.

The Port Bureau pointed out that the key points of this amendment include: clarifying the required documents for application, clarifying the calculation method of the time limit, and specifically clarifying the reasons for project permission and supporting documents. Those whose yachts are undergoing repairs or are undergoing transfer of ship registration to Chinese nationality can apply for project extension.

In addition, according to the revised regulations, inapplicable yachts have been added from "Chinese-owned yachts and yachts sailing directly from China" to Chinese-owned yachts. In other words, Chinese-owned yachts are immediately prohibited from applying to come to Taiwan.

In the application documents, the applicant should provide documents proving the identity of the yacht owner, captain or driver, yacht certificate or ship nationality certificate, documents proving the ability to drive the yacht or operator competency certificate, crew list, voyage plan, and other supporting documents. The first concession period of each year is limited to 6 months. If there is a need for extension, the port management authority should submit the berthing document to apply for extension 14 days before the expiration. Each concession extension period is limited to 1 month.

The Airport and Port Bureau emphasized that the review principle is in accordance with Article 8 of the Shipping Law, which states that "non-Republic of China ships, except with a special license from the Government of the Republic of China, may not berth at ports other than international commercial ports announced by the Government of the Republic of China." Violators will be subject to Article 89, Paragraph 1 of the same law, and the shipping administration authority will impose a fine of not less than 30,000 yuan and not more than 300,000 yuan on the yacht operator, and may order them to leave the port immediately.