Taiwan's Communications Regulator Faces Paralysis, Harming Imports

Taiwan's National Communications Commission (NCC) is in a leadership vacuum, causing a critical halt in the approval process for radio frequency devices. The vacancy, stemming from legislative disputes over personnel appointments, has left the commission unable to issue necessary permits.

From July 31 to August 5 alone, 82 import permits and 4 approval letters could not be processed. This backlog is significant given that the NCC typically handles over 1,000 applications monthly, issuing approximately 13,500 permits and 190 official letters annually. The delay affects everything from large radio equipment to everyday items like Bluetooth earphones, provided they exceed personal use quantities.

“

The more the personnel case is stalled, the more people will be harmed.

Businesses are already feeling the pinch. Legislator Lin Chun-hsien reported that a listed company faced substantial daily storage fees for a shipment stuck at customs due to the lack of an "Import Permit for Telecommunication Radio Frequency Devices." The situation has prompted complaints to legislators and discussions within the Executive Yuan on how to resolve the impasse.

While the NCC's Director-General's office is handling administrative tasks, including the acting role of the Director-General by the Chief Secretary, this interim measure is insufficient for issuing permits that require committee approval. The ongoing legislative stalemate means the problem will only worsen, impacting more importers and consumers.

“

At this stage, only the Chief Secretary can handle relevant business.