For international moving companies, ensuring a seamless customs clearance process for household goods shipments is critical to delivering a positive client experience. At AMR, we often handle inbound and outbound shipments to and from China for overseas agents. A recurring challenge is explaining the documentation requirements for Taiwan residents clients, regarding the required customs documents of the TaiBaoZheng short for Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents and HMT Card Short for Resident Permit for Taiwan Residents.
Therefore, we are writing this to ensure our audience and especially our booking agent to understand their difference and also their shared functions so they could convey the information with full picture.
Here starts with what difference by how they look.
The left image is a sample of TaiBaoZheng (Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents).
In oral communication we call it very often 台胞证 Pinyin as TaiBaoZheng.
The left image is a sample HMT Card (Resident Permit for Taiwan Residents).
In oral communication we call it very often（港澳）台居住证 Pinyin as GangAoTaiJuZhuZheng.
The TaiBaoZheng (Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents) and the HMT card (Resident Permit for Taiwan Residents)) serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics.
TaiBaoZheng is a compulsory identification document issued by a designated department in Mainland China. It is essential for travelling in and out of Mainland China. In contrast, the HMT card is not compulsory and is issued by local authorities, such as the police station where the resident is registered.
While the TaiBaoZheng facilitates cross-border travel, the HMT Card cannot be used for travel to or from Mainland China. Instead, it is valid for domestic transportation, like train bookings.
Both documents share almost the same residency functions, but HMT Card offers a broader range of local public services. It integrates with public service systems, allowing residents to access banking and customs services, and functions similarly to a local ID card.
These features are beyond the current capabilities of the TaiBaoZheng.
Therefore, for international movers and relocation, it is compulsory however to have both in place to clear inbound and outbound shipments.
Major Difference | ||
Aspects | Taibaozheng (Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents) | HMT Card (Resident Permit for Taiwan Residents) |
Compulsory Nature | Taibaozheng is a compulsory identification document. | The Taiwan Residence Permit is not compulsory. |
Issuing Authority | Issued by a designated department in Mainland China. | Issued by local authorities, such as the police station where the resident is registered. |
Travel Functions | Required for traveling in and out of Mainland China. | Cannot be used for travel into or out of Mainland China but is valid for domestic transportation, such as train bookings. |
Residency Functions | Taibaozheng and the Taiwan Residence Permit share overlapping residency functions. | The Taiwan Residence Permit offers a wider range of public services, including banking and customs clearance. It integrates with public service systems and devices, providing an experience comparable to a local ID card, which Taibaozheng currently cannot achieve. |
Shipment Customs Clearance | Compulsory | Compulsory |
This article is summarized of government resource links :
https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741547/c1197066/content.htm
https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2018/content_5317103.html
https://gdga.gd.gov.cn/bsfw/zsk/za/content/post_1092388.html
