Port of Keelung

The Port of Keelung is one of Taiwan’s most important seaports and a major maritime gateway for northern Taiwan. Located in Keelung City on Taiwan’s northeast coast, the port serves Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, northern Taiwan’s industrial areas, and regional supply chains across East Asia.

Keelung Port supports containerized cargo, general cargo, bulk cargo, oil and liquid cargo, project cargo, cruise activity, ferry services, and regional feeder shipping. It is especially relevant for importers and exporters connected to northern Taiwan’s consumer market, electronics sector, industrial production, retail distribution, manufacturing, and intra-Asia trade.

The port is operated by Taiwan International Ports Corporation. It plays an important role in Taiwan’s logistics network because it provides access to northern Taiwan’s dense population centers, industrial zones, highway networks, rail connections, and regional shipping routes.

Port of Keelung Overview

Why Ship Through the Port of Keelung?

Keelung Port is strategically located near Taipei and New Taipei City, making it a practical gateway for cargo moving to and from northern Taiwan. Its proximity to Taiwan’s largest urban and commercial areas helps reduce inland delivery distances for shipments serving Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and nearby industrial zones.

For importers, Keelung provides access to consumer goods markets, retail distribution networks, electronics manufacturing, industrial supply chains, food logistics, and general cargo distribution in northern Taiwan. For exporters, the port supports cargo moving from northern Taiwan to East Asia, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, South Korea, North America, Europe, and other global markets.

Keelung is especially useful for businesses shipping electronics, machinery, components, retail goods, chemicals, food products, industrial supplies, project cargo, and containerized commercial freight.

Container Shipping Through Keelung

Keelung Port handles containerized cargo through dedicated container terminal areas and supporting cargo facilities. The port is used for import containers, export containers, feeder services, intra-Asia cargo, regional shipments, and containerized cargo connected to northern Taiwan’s logistics network.

Businesses use Keelung for:

• Import containers into northern Taiwan
• Export containers from Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and nearby industrial areas
• Full container load shipments
• Less than container load shipments
• Regional feeder cargo and intra-Asia container services
• Electronics, machinery, components, chemicals, consumer goods, and industrial cargo
• Reefer containers for food and temperature-sensitive cargo
• Cargo connecting through regional hubs such as Kaohsiung, Taipei Port, Busan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Port Klang
• Shipments requiring access to northern Taiwan’s consumer and industrial markets

For larger shipments, FCL shipping is usually suitable when cargo can fill a 20ft or 40ft container. For smaller shipments, LCL shipping allows businesses to move partial container loads without paying for a full container.

Port Capacity and Terminal Development

Keelung Port is a multipurpose port with facilities for containers, general cargo, bulk cargo, oil and liquid cargo, passenger services, cruise activity, and ferry operations. The port’s facilities include container terminal areas, general cargo wharves, oil and liquid cargo wharves, bulk cargo berths, and passenger terminal areas.

The port’s cargo role is closely connected to northern Taiwan’s logistics demand. While Taiwan’s larger deep-sea container activity is often associated with Kaohsiung and Taipei Port, Keelung remains important for regional cargo, intra-Asia shipping, general cargo, container movements, and access to Taipei-region markets.

Keelung also supports passenger and cruise activity, but for commercial shippers its main value is its location, established port infrastructure, access to northern Taiwan, and connections to regional shipping networks.

Main Cargo Handled Through Keelung

The Port of Keelung handles a broad mix of containerized cargo, general cargo, bulk cargo, liquid cargo, and project cargo.

Keelung is especially relevant for companies that need efficient access to northern Taiwan, regional Asian trade lanes, container services, and general cargo handling.

Shipping to Keelung

Importers ship cargo to Keelung from major sourcing and production markets, including China, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, and other global trade lanes.

Common imports to Keelung and northern Taiwan include:

• Consumer goods and retail inventory
• Electronics and electrical components
• Machinery and spare parts
• Industrial equipment
• Chemicals and raw materials
• Food and beverage products
• Frozen and chilled goods
• Automotive parts
• Packaging materials
• Construction materials
• Medical and healthcare products
• General cargo
• Project cargo and oversized equipment

When shipping to Keelung, importers should compare total landed cost rather than only the ocean freight rate. Total landed cost may include origin charges, sea freight, destination charges, customs duty, business tax, port charges, terminal handling, documentation fees, customs broker fees, storage, demurrage, detention, trucking, inland delivery, and cargo insurance.

Use the iContainers ocean freight calculator to estimate shipping costs and compare available freight options.

Shipping From Keelung

Exporters use Keelung for cargo moving from northern Taiwan to regional and global markets. The port is especially important for manufacturers, electronics companies, machinery exporters, component suppliers, industrial producers, food exporters, chemical companies, retail suppliers, and freight forwarders.

Common export cargo from Keelung includes:

• Electronics and electrical components
• Machinery and industrial equipment
• Computer parts and technology products
• Chemicals and industrial materials
• Consumer goods
• Food and beverage products
• Automotive parts and components
• Packaged commercial goods
• Retail-ready inventory
• Medical and healthcare products
• General cargo
• Refrigerated cargo
• Project and oversized cargo

For exporters, the best shipping option depends on cargo volume, product type, destination, Incoterm, sailing schedule, equipment availability, customs documentation, inland pickup location, and required transit time.

FCL is usually more efficient for larger commercial volumes, while LCL can work well for smaller shipments, samples, cartons, pallets, or partial container loads.

FCL vs LCL Shipping Through Keelung

For shippers comparing route options, iContainers’ transit time calculator can help estimate shipping times before booking.

Customs Clearance at Keelung and Taiwan

Cargo imported or exported through Keelung must comply with Taiwan customs requirements. Importers and exporters should prepare accurate shipment data before cargo arrival or departure, including product descriptions, HS codes, customs value, country of origin, consignee details, shipper details, and supporting documentation.

Commercial shipments through Keelung may require documents such as a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or sea waybill, import or export declaration, certificate of origin, import permit or export permit when applicable, inspection certificate, insurance certificate, and product-specific regulatory documents.

Regulated goods such as food products, agricultural goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, electronics, hazardous cargo, plants, animals, vehicles, and restricted items may require additional permits, testing, inspection, quarantine, or agency approvals.

For more general guidance, read iContainers’ guide to customs clearance.

Documents Needed for Shipping Through Keelung

Most commercial ocean freight shipments to or from Keelung require:

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Bill of lading or sea waybill
• Import or export customs declaration
• HS code and product description
• Certificate of origin, when required
• Import permit or export permit, when applicable
• Inspection certificate, when applicable
• Insurance certificate, when applicable
• Dangerous goods declaration, when applicable
• Material safety data sheet, for regulated chemicals or hazardous cargo
• Phytosanitary certificate, when applicable
• Fumigation certificate, when applicable
• Food safety or agricultural documents, when applicable
• Medical, electronics, or product compliance documents, when applicable
• Delivery order or cargo release documents
• Customs broker authorization, when using a customs broker
• Inland transport documents, when cargo moves by truck or rail

Documentation should be complete and consistent before cargo arrival or departure. Incorrect HS codes, incomplete cargo descriptions, missing permits, inaccurate invoices, inconsistent consignee details, or late documentation can delay customs clearance and increase costs.

Common Shipping Routes for Keelung

Keelung connects northern Taiwan with East Asia, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, South Korea, North America, Europe, and other major trade lanes through direct services, feeder connections, and regional transshipment hubs.

Routing may involve direct services, feeder services, domestic Taiwan connections, trucking, rail, or transshipment through Kaohsiung, Taipei Port, Busan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Singapore, or Port Klang depending on carrier schedule, cargo type, and final destination.

When Should You Use Keelung Instead of Another Taiwanese Port?

Keelung can be suitable when:

• The cargo origin or destination is in Taipei, New Taipei City, Keelung, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, or northern Taiwan
• The shipment requires access to Taiwan’s northern consumer and industrial markets
• The cargo is containerized and suitable for FCL or LCL shipping
• The shipment is connected to electronics, machinery, components, consumer goods, chemicals, or general cargo
• The business needs access to regional East Asia or intra-Asia services
• Inland delivery distance is shorter through Keelung than through Kaohsiung or another port
• The cargo requires general cargo, reefer, breakbulk, liquid cargo, or project cargo capability
• The shipper wants a northern Taiwan gateway close to Taipei-region distribution centers

Another Taiwanese port may be more suitable when the shipment requires larger deep-sea container capacity, specific carrier coverage, different sailing frequency, or closer access to central or southern Taiwan. Ports such as Kaohsiung, Taipei Port, Taichung, or Hualien may be more practical depending on final delivery location, cargo type, route, and carrier service.

The right port choice should be based on total landed cost, sailing schedule, inland distance, customs requirements, cargo type, equipment availability, terminal capability, and required delivery date.

How to Get an Ocean Freight Quote for Keelung

To get a freight quote to or from Keelung, prepare the following details:

1. Origin and destination
2. Port-to-port, door-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-door requirement
3. Cargo weight and dimensions
4. Number of pallets, cartons, boxes, or containers
5. FCL, LCL, reefer, breakbulk, liquid cargo, hazardous, or project cargo preference
6. Commodity description and HS code, if available
7. Cargo ready date
8. Incoterm
9. Customs clearance requirements
10. Final pickup or delivery address, if needed
11. Inland movement requirement, such as trucking to Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, or Hsinchu
12. Special handling requirements, such as reefer cargo, hazardous cargo, temperature control, oversized cargo, liquid cargo, or high-value cargo
13. Preferred carrier, terminal, or routing, if already specified

With iContainers, businesses can compare ocean freight options online, review available rates, and manage international shipments through a digital booking process.

Reference Links

• Port of Keelung official website
• Taiwan International Ports Corporation: Port of Keelung facilities
• Taiwan International Ports Corporation: Port of Keelung container terminal
• UN/LOCODE Taiwan list
• MarineTraffic: Port of Keelung location and UN/LOCODE
• IAPH: Port of Keelung profile
• Keelung Customs: features of Keelung Customs