1 signed distribution agreement (Agribiz). CRITICAL gap: Taiwan is NOT a New York Convention 1958 signatory. SIAC Singapore award cannot be enforced against Taiwan-based assets via NY Convention treaty mechanism. Consult Taiwan counsel within 90 days.
Country profile
Taiwan — regulatory context
Vet drug authority
Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ); Council of Agriculture for animal health products.
Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) — relatively open; reporting for transactions above thresholds.
Political-risk note
Cross-Strait tension may affect commercial enforceability of contracts in mainland China courts and vice versa. Confirm dispute clause specifies neutral seat (e.g., Singapore SIAC).
Multi-distributor permissibility
YES Taiwan Commercial Code / Trading Act contains no statutory restriction on multi-distributor; foreign firms need MOEA approval for representative offices but distribution exclusivity is contractual only.
Voidance risks
Language law: Chinese (Traditional) preferred for courts; English accepted with certified translation.
Stamp duty: Stamp Tax Act applies to specific instruments; private distribution typically minimal.
Commercial registry filing: MOEA registration for entities (not contract-specific).
Fair Trade Act: Anti-exclusivity-abuse rules — restrictive exclusivity may be void.
Civil Code formalities: Written form recommended but not mandatory.
Formalities: Taiwan is NOT a Hague Apostille member (due to UN status) — consular legalization via TECO offices required.
NY Convention non-status (CRITICAL): Taiwan is NOT a NY Convention signatory; foreign arbitration awards harder to enforce in Taiwan courts — route assets via Singapore/UAE banking.
GAPS to verify with Taiwanese local counsel
BAPHIQ vet drug registration fees / timelines; recent regulatory changes 2025-2026.
Signed contracts in this country
Agribiz
Counterparty
Agribiz
Effective
1 March 2025
Term
5 years — until 1 March 2030
Score / grade
64 / 100D
Template
Standard Vaksindo
Top 3 issues
TAIWAN NOT NY CONVENTION SIGNATORY — SIAC award unenforceable against Taiwan assets via treaty; need bilateral judicial assistance or alternative security.
Standard dual BANI/SIAC defect.
Cross-Strait political risk.
Country watch items
Taiwan-Agribiz NY Convention enforcement gap
Severity: HIGH. Deadline: Within 90 days.
Country research surfaced — Taiwan is NOT a New York Convention 1958 signatory. JAPFA's Taiwan Agribiz distribution agreement (effective 1 Mar 2025, term to 2030) chose Indonesian law + SIAC Singapore as dispute forum. If a dispute arises with Agribiz, the SIAC award cannot be enforced against Taiwan-based assets via NY Convention treaty mechanism.
Options: (a) re-paper with Taiwan ROC court jurisdiction + Taiwan-Indonesia bilateral judicial assistance treaty (if any), (b) require Agribiz to maintain Singapore-bank guarantee that JAPFA can call on independently of award enforcement, (c) take fixed advance payment + LC backed by NY-Convention bank, (d) escrow Schedule A volumes' security in NY-Convention jurisdiction. Consult Taiwan local counsel.
Suggested actions ranked by urgency
90 days — structural options
Consult Taiwan local counsel on enforcement options.
Options: (a) re-paper with Taiwan ROC court jurisdiction + bilateral assistance, (b) Singapore-bank guarantee from Agribiz, (c) fixed advance payment + LC from NY-Convention bank, (d) escrow security in NY-Convention jurisdiction.
Amendment No. 1
Fix dual BANI/SIAC forum — replace with single SIAC Singapore.
Address cross-Strait risk if dispute enforcement against Chinese mainland.