Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from Taiwan
You have ashes in Taiwan and need to bring them home. This page covers what Taiwan requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
3-10 days to arrange
What does Taiwan require before ashes can leave?
Departure airports: TPE (Taipei Taoyuan International Airport); TSA (Taipei Songshan Airport, domestic)
Carriers serving the UK: EVA Air (direct London Heathrow to Taipei Taoyuan); China Airlines; British Airways (via connections)
Authority that must release the case: Institute of Forensic Medicine (IFM), Ministry of Justice, Taiwan
The rules that apply on any route, and what you may do with ashes once home, are covered in bringing ashes into the UK.
What are the airline rules for carrying ashes?
What does Taiwan require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in Taiwan due to religious or legal reasons. If you are dealing with ashes from a previous cremation held elsewhere, the export rules may differ. Contact us for guidance specific to your situation.
What affects the cost?
Carrying ashes home yourself is the least expensive way to bring someone back from Taiwan, and for many families it costs little more than the return flight they are already taking. We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.
| What changes the cost | Why |
|---|---|
| Whether the cremation has already taken place | Arranging it locally adds funeral director and crematorium involvement |
| Where the death happened | Distance to the nearest crematorium changes local transfer |
| Carrying versus shipping | Hand luggage costs nothing extra; a specialist courier is a separate arrangement |
| Documentation Taiwan requires | Export permits and translation, where they apply |
Send us the details of your situation and we will give you a figure, with no obligation.
What else is worth knowing about Taiwan?
Taiwan's diplomatic status is unique: the UK does not maintain formal embassy-level diplomatic relations, recognising the People's Republic of China's 'One China' position; the British Office Taipei provides consular services de facto but the absence of full embassy status means some formal authentication pathways differ from standard embassy procedures; The British Office Taipei is run under a separate trust arrangement; consular services are provided but the formal documentation chain may differ in small details from a standard British Embassy process, contact the BOT before making any assumptions about documentation requirements; Taiwan has a growing British expat community concentrated in Taipei: English teachers, technology sector workers, and English-language media staff; British tourists increasingly visit for food, culture, and outdoor activities in Taroko Gorge and the central mountain range; EVA Air operates nonstop London Heathrow to Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) flights; this is the most practical cargo routing for human remains; China Airlines also operates this route; Taroko Gorge hiking deaths and scooter accidents are the most common causes of British tourist deaths in Taiwan; scooter rental is widespread and accident rates are significant
medium
Full repatriation guide
Complete guide: repatriation from Taiwan
Official support
British Embassy in Taiwan: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Institute of Forensic Medicine (IFM), Ministry of Justice, Taiwan and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Official lists for Taiwan
Published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for British nationals. We are not connected to the firms listed.
- Funeral directors, for arranging local care and preparation
- Translators and interpreters, for certified translation of the death certificate and permits
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Taiwan
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from Taiwan
Tell us where the ashes are now and where home is. We will explain what is needed and send you a quote. We send ashes home to the UK, Ireland or any other country.