This guide explores the many products made in Taiwan. It covers items for tourists and the business world. Let’s dive in.
I often notice where products are made while shopping. This curiosity led me to ask, “What’s made in Taiwan?” So, I decided to write this guide. First, I’ll talk about tourist-friendly items. Then, I’ll cover products from a business and manufacturing perspective.
Key Takeaways
- Taiwan produces 60% of global semiconductors, 90% advanced chips.
- Over 80% of premium bicycles are made in Taiwan.
- $218 billion electronics exported in 2023, including GPUs, motherboards.
- Aftermarket auto parts make up 55% of exports.
- Medical devices market grew 22%, valued $6.4 billion (2021).
- $19.6 billion in rubber and plastic exports (2023).
- Taiwan ranks 16th globally in merchandise exports, $828 billion trade.
Unique & Creative Made in Taiwan Products for Tourists
If you’re a tourist looking for souvenirs, here are some great options:
- Pastries: Try pineapple cakes, sun cakes, or flaky taro pastries.
- Tea: High-quality oolong, green, or black teas from Taiwan’s mountain regions.
- Budaxi glove puppets: Beautiful puppets used in traditional Taiwanese puppet theater.
- Taiwanese jade: Stunning jade jewelry and ornaments made from locally sourced stones.
- Handmade indigenous goods: Vibrant textiles and bags inspired by indigenous designs.
- Taiwanese snacks: Favorites like mochi, dried mango, and sun cakes.
- Wooden handicrafts: Fragrant items made from Formosan cypress wood.
You’ll find these souvenirs in Taiwan’s famous markets and specialty stores.
For instance, the Jianguo Jade Market in Taipei is the best place to find jade. Here’s a guide I wrote on it.
Pottery and ceramics are renowned in Yingge, Taiwan’s pottery capital.
Tea lovers will want to explore Maokong in Taipei or Alishan’s tea farms for premium oolong and black teas.
And if you’re after pastries like pineapple cakes or sun cakes, you’ll find some of the best at Chia Te in Taipei or Taichung’s Miyahara store. You can also order Chia Te cakes online to avoid waiting in line.
This list highlights some standout souvenirs, but I’ve written more detailed guides for specific interests. If you’re a foodie, check out my guide on Taiwanese edible souvenirs for treats like pineapple cakes and sun cakes.
For even more ideas, see my ultimate Taiwan souvenir guide or explore city-specific picks (e.g., Kaohsiung) to find hidden gems tailored to your trip.
So, what else does Taiwan make?
What Taiwan is Known for Globally
The following sections will provide more details on goods that Taiwan’s renowned for manufacturing.
Let’s dive into their most noteworthy one.
1. Semiconductors: The Silicon Shield
Taiwan produces 60% of the world’s semiconductors and 90% of the most advanced chips.
The biggest player in this industry is TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), which holds 61% of the global semiconductor foundry market (as of 2024).
Here’s how TSMC compares to competitors (Q1 2024 market share):
- TSMC: 61%
- Samsung: 11%
- Intel: 9%
- SMIC (China): 5.7%
- UMC (Taiwan): 5.7%
Notes:
- SMIC = Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation
- UMC = United Microelectronics Corporation
You might hear about semiconductors a lot and not know what they are. I’m here to help.
Semiconductors control electricity and are used to make microchips — the “brains” behind electronic devices. They power phones, laptops, self-driving cars, AI systems, and even space exploration tools.
Without cutting-edge semiconductors, modern life as we know it — full of smart gadgets and groundbreaking innovations — wouldn’t exist.
Without these chips, modern technology wouldn’t exist. That’s why Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is called the “silicon shield” — essential for global innovation.
Additional notes: “Advanced” semiconductors refers to chips that are less than 10 nanometers in size.
The nation doesn’t only manufacture semiconductors, though.
2. Medium-to-High-End Bicycles
Taiwan manufactures over 80% of medium-to-high-end bike components and bikes in Taiwan or via outsourced Taiwanese-owned factories[1].
Whole bike and components manufacturers from Taiwan include:
- Giant
- Merida
- TRP Cycling
- Fairly Bike
- KHS Bicycles
- Ideal Bike
How did this country become the Bicycle Kingdom?
In the 1960s, Japanese bike makers outsourced production to Taiwan due to lower labor costs. This helped Taiwan learn advanced manufacturing techniques.
By the 1980s, Taiwanese brands like Giant and Merida started making their own high-quality bikes. When global competition pushed low-cost production to other countries, Taiwan shifted focus to premium bikes, known for innovation and durability.
Here’s another area where Taiwan excels.
3. High-Tech Gadgets & Accessories
As of 2022, Taiwan was the second-largest exporter of computer accessories behind China (plus Hong Kong). Accounting for 12.3% of the world’s computer accessories [2]. With the leading exporters being BTC Behavior Tech Computer and KYE Systems Corp.
“Accessories” can include some of the following:
- Internal components: Power supply units, graphics cards, motherboards, etc.
- Storage devices: SSDs and HHDs
- Peripherals: Mice, monitors, keyboards, etc.
- Accessories: Think docking stations and USB hubs.
- Internet devices: Routers, modems, etc.
Specific examples include high-performance GPUs (e.g., NVIDIA cards made by TSMC), motherboards (e.g., ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte), and gaming peripherals. Positioning itself as a leader in the consumer and professional markets.
As of 2023, Taiwan exported more than $218 billion worth of electronics. Putting it behind China/Hong Kong, but ahead of the United States. Such devices include “electrical machinery.” They also have the highest annual growth value between 2019 and 2023 (being 12%) [3].
Other electronics Taiwan exports include smartphones, telephones, automatic data processing machines, and the parts for such electronics.
Taiwan is growing in other areas, though.
4. Automotive Parts
Supply chain issues and a shortage of new cars increased demand for used vehicles. This also extended the life of current cars, raising the need for replacement parts.
Taiwan responded with flexible manufacturing, competitive pricing, and high-quality aftermarket (AM) parts. These make up 55% of Taiwan’s export value [4].
Key exports include:
- Sheet metal
- Auto lamps
- Tires
- Wheel rims
- Side-view mirrors
The US, Taiwan’s largest market (56% of exports), plays a big role in this growth. Insurance companies like State Farm now use certified AM parts to lower repair costs. This trend suggests long-term demand for Taiwanese products.
And another area where Taiwan’s growing.
5. Medical devices
Taiwan’s medical device industry has grown quickly in recent years. In 2021, the market was valued at $6.4 billion, a 22% increase from 2020.
The market is expected to keep growing, with an annual growth rate of 5.88% from 2024 to 2029. By 2029, it could reach $3.19 billion. In 2024 alone, revenue is projected to hit $2.39 billion, with cardiology devices leading at $357.6 million.
This growth is driven by government policies supporting innovation and rising demand from Taiwan’s aging population and advanced healthcare system.
Taiwan’s medical device outsourcing market is also expanding. It’s expected to grow at a rate of 12.1% annually from 2023 to 2030, reaching $3.39 billion by 2030.
We’re almost done.
6. Rubber & Plastic
In 2023, Taiwan’s plastic and rubber product exports totaled $19.6 billion, down from $29.87 billion in 2021 [5].
The definition of “plastic and rubber products” isn’t clear in the source.
Other sources I found suggest that most of Taiwan’s plastic and rubber exports come from:
- Plates, sheets, film, or strips: Used in packaging and construction.
- Polyacetals and other polyesters: Found in clothing, bottles, and car parts.
- Plastic articles: Items like containers, kitchenware, and household goods.
- Styrene polymers: Used for foam packaging, insulation, and disposable products.
Taiwan exported $1.8 billion in plastic products alone, making it the 11th largest exporter. That’s impressive for a small country.
And let’s finish this off.
7. Other Exports
As of 2024, Taiwan is the 16th-largest merchandise exporter in the world. Combined with imports, its total trade volume reached nearly $828 billion.
Other products they export include:
- Metal products: Nuts, bolts, screws, and similar items.
- Textiles: Although this sector has declined over the years.
- Prepared foodstuffs
- Wood pulp, paperboard, and related products
In 2022, China (including Hong Kong) received 43% of Taiwan’s exports, while the US took 14.7%. Clearly, Taiwan and China depend heavily on each other for trade.
That’s not a can of worms I’m going to open on this blog. This PDF document by the US International Trade Commission (where I sourced some of this information) does a great job breaking down the geopolitical situation.
Let’s finish off this post with sourcing Taiwan-made products.
Where & How to Source Taiwan’s Top Products
If you’re interested in Taiwan-made products, here are a few ways to source them:
- Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA): Connects businesses with Taiwanese manufacturers. They also host exhibitions showcasing products like medical devices.
- Taiwantrade: A B2B e-commerce platform where you can find a wide range of products.
- Taipei Innovative Textile Application Show (TITAS): Focuses on Taiwanese textiles and connects buyers with suppliers.
- Taipei Plas Exhibition: Ideal for finding industrial rubber parts, packaging materials, and eco-friendly plastics.
I’m not an outsourcing expert, but I wrote this post to highlight Taiwan-made products. Hopefully, this information is helpful for anyone curious about Taiwanese exports or looking to learn more about what Taiwan offers.
Sources
- The powerhouse behind the Tour De France. Bike News. 7/28/2023.
- TOP Computer Accessories Exports by Country. Tendata. 6/24/2024.
- Trade map. International Trade Centre. 2023.
- Taiwan’s Auto Parts Industry. CENS. 10/12/2023.
- Value of Exported Plastic & Rubber Products. Statista. 2023.