Export Packaging for the US Market: What Taiwan Products Must Include

Taiwan's domestic packaging standards (CNS standards) are designed for Taiwanese consumers and retailers. US packaging requirements are governed by different agencies — CBP (US Customs and Border Protection), CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), FTC, and FDA for regulated products — each with specific mandates.

Selling products in the US with non-compliant packaging risks: customs rejection at the US port of entry, Amazon warehouse rejection upon receiving your FBA shipment, retailer returns if your product reaches physical retail, and CPSC enforcement action for products with safety labeling violations.

The good news: upgrading packaging for US compliance is a one-time cost that unlocks the entire US market. Most of the requirements are straightforward once you know them.

Country of Origin: every product sold in the US must display "Made in Taiwan" (or "Made in [country]") permanently, conspicuously, and in English. For most products, this is marked on the product itself or its packaging. CBP enforces this under 19 USC 1304. Missing or obscured country of origin can result in customs delays and fines.

English language: all required labeling must be in English. This includes: directions for use (if applicable), safety warnings, ingredient lists (for food/cosmetics/supplements), and any regulatory statements. Bilingual packaging (English + Traditional Chinese) is acceptable for the US market, but English must be present.

FTC Care and Content labeling (textiles): if your product is a textile (clothing, bedding, towels), the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act requires a label listing fiber content percentages ("100% Polyester," "60% Cotton, 40% Polyester"), country of origin, and manufacturer or importer identification.

Net quantity of contents: for consumer packaged goods, the net quantity must be stated in US customary units (ounces, pounds, fluid ounces) AND metric units. Example: "Net Wt. 8 oz. (227g)." The measurement must appear on the principal display panel (front of package).

Amazon has packaging requirements beyond general US regulations that apply specifically to FBA inventory. Products that do not meet these requirements are rejected at Amazon's receiving dock and returned to you at your expense.

Barcode placement: your scannable barcode (UPC/EAN for the product, FNSKU for Amazon-specific labeling) must be on the outside of the retail package, clearly visible, and not obscured by tape, stickers, or perforations. If you are using FNSKU labels, they must cover (not just accompany) the manufacturer barcode.

Polybag requirements: products that could be a suffocation hazard must be in sealed polybags with a printed suffocation warning: "WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this bag away from babies and children." Required for polybags with openings larger than 5 inches.

Set packaging: if you are selling a set of items (e.g., a 3-piece kitchen tool set), all items must be packaged together in a single retail package. Amazon's receiving process does not reassemble sets — if your three tools arrive in separate polybags without a set carton, they will be received as individual units.

Sold as a single unit: each individual unit shipped to Amazon's FBA must be a complete, retail-ready unit. Do not ship loose components that need to be assembled at the warehouse — this is not an Amazon service and results in receiving errors.

US retail packaging requirements go beyond legal compliance — retailers evaluate packaging for shelf appeal, planogram fit, and customer communication.

UPC barcode position: US retailers require the UPC barcode on the back or bottom of the package, not the front. The barcode must be scannable with a standard retail scanner. Wrinkled, folded, or poorly printed barcodes cause checkout failures.

Retail-ready packaging: the front of the package should communicate the product's key benefit in 3 seconds at a glance. US retail buyers evaluate new products by holding the package in one hand and asking: "Would I buy this without reading anything else?" Your product name, main image, and one key benefit should answer that question.

Hang tag or peg hook compatibility: many US retailers display small products on pegboard hooks. If your product category hangs in retail, your packaging needs a euro hole (a 6mm hole at the top of the package header) for standard hook display.

Language and regulatory review: before printing final packaging for retail distribution, have it reviewed by a US packaging compliance consultant or regulatory attorney for your product category. A $300–500 professional review prevents costly re-packaging after production.