What to do if someone dies in Taiwan

If a British National Dies in Taiwan

Call the British Office Taipei (BOT) emergency line immediately. Taiwan’s diplomatic status is unique and this affects the consular process directly. The BOT provides a full range of consular services but does not operate as a formal British Embassy: the legal and administrative framework differs from a standard embassy posting. Contact the BOT first, confirm current procedures, and do not assume the standard embassy process applies.

Then engage a specialist repatriation company with direct experience of Taiwan.

Taiwan’s Diplomatic Status: What This Means Practically

The UK recognises the People’s Republic of China and maintains the One China policy. The UK does not recognise Taiwan as an independent state. In practice, the British Office Taipei provides consular assistance (including support when British nationals die) but operates under a different legal framework than a formal embassy.

For repatriation, this matters because some authentication and notarisation steps that apply at a full embassy may work differently through the BOT. The BOT team will advise on current specific requirements. Follow their guidance precisely.

Step 1: Report the Death

All deaths in Taiwan are registered with the local household registration office (huji dengji suo): the office serving the area where the death occurred. The death certificate (sijwang zhengmingshu) is issued by this office.

For sudden, unnatural, or suspicious deaths, the police (National Police Agency) take jurisdiction and the body passes to the Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Step 2: The Institute of Forensic Medicine

The Institute of Forensic Medicine (IFM) operates under the Ministry of Justice. The main IFM facility is in Taipei. For deaths outside Taipei (in Taroko Gorge (Hualien County), for example, or in the central mountain range) the body may need to transfer to Taipei for forensic examination.

Post-mortem reports are issued in Traditional Chinese. IFM turnaround for straightforward cases is typically five to ten working days.

Step 3: Documentation and Export Permit

The Ministry of Health and Welfare issues the export permit once death registration, police investigation closure, and forensic processes are complete.

Required documents:

• Sijwang zhengmingshu (death certificate)
• Police investigation closure for unnatural deaths
• IFM post-mortem report if required
• Ministry of Health and Welfare export permit
• Certified English translations of all Traditional Chinese documents
• Embalming certificate

Step 4: Translation

All documentation is in Traditional Chinese. Engage a certified translator familiar with Taiwanese legal and administrative Chinese: the administrative terminology used in Taiwan differs in places from Mainland simplified Chinese. The British Office Taipei can advise on approved translators.

Step 5: Common Death Scenarios in Taiwan

Taroko Gorge: The marble gorge in Hualien County is one of Taiwan’s most visited sites. Hiking fatalities, rock fall incidents, and falling deaths occur regularly. Bodies are recovered by Taroko National Park rangers and police; transfer to Taipei for IFM post-mortem follows.

Scooter accidents: Scooter rental is widespread and heavily used by tourists. Road accident fatalities fall under standard unnatural death procedures.

Step 6: Routing to the UK

Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) is the main international hub. EVA Air operates nonstop services to London Heathrow. China Airlines also operates this route. Both carriers have established human remains cargo procedures. Pre-book cargo capacity before confirming dates.