Verifying a Taiwanese company’s legal name and registration details is a critical first step for any international business considering partnerships, investments, or transactions with Taiwan-based enterprises. Unlike mainland China’s corporate registry system, Taiwan maintains its own distinct verification processes through the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). This guide will walk you through the official channels and explain key considerations for cross-strait business verification.
Official Verification Methods
1. Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) Company Query System
The primary resource for verifying Taiwanese companies is the MOEA’s Company Registration Inquiry System. This government portal provides:
- Basic registration details: Company name in Chinese and English (if registered)
- Unified Business Number (equivalent to China’s Unified Social Credit Code)
- Registration date and current status (active/dissolved)
- Capital amount and shareholder structure
- Registered address and business scope
To use the system:
- Navigate to the MOEA website (Chinese interface only)
- Search by:
- Company Chinese name (exact match required)
- Unified Business Number (8 digits)
- Representative person’s name (less reliable)
Pro Tip: Non-Chinese speakers may need translation assistance, as the system doesn’t fully support English queries.
2. Commercial District Offices
For physical verification:
- Companies register with local Commercial District Offices under MOEA
- These offices maintain original registration files
- Foreign entities can request certified copies through legal representatives
3. Paid Professional Reports
For comprehensive due diligence, consider:
- Company Registration Transcripts: Official documents showing full registration history
- Certified English Translations: Often required for international transactions
- Credit Reports: From Taiwan’s Joint Credit Information Center (JCIC)
Cross-Strait Name Verification Considerations
When verifying Taiwanese companies for mainland China business purposes, note these unique aspects:
1. Name Format Differences
Taiwanese company names follow this structure:[Taiwan Region] + [Distinctive Name] + [Business Type] + [Company Type]
Example: 台灣科技股份有限公司 (Taiwan Technology Co., Ltd.)
Unlike mainland China:
- No provincial-level administrative division prefixes
- “Taiwan” often appears in names (unlike mainland’s province/city references)
2. Bilingual Registration
Taiwan companies may register:
- Chinese name only (most common)
- Chinese + English names (optional)
- No standalone English names permitted
3. Name Protection Across the Strait
Important considerations:
- No automatic mutual recognition: A Taiwan-registered name has no protection in mainland China unless separately registered
- Trademark vs. company name: Different systems govern these rights in Taiwan
- Homonym risks: Similar-sounding names may exist in both jurisdictions
4. Verification Challenges
Foreign businesses often encounter:
- Character set differences: Simplified vs. Traditional Chinese
- Translation inconsistencies: English names may vary across documents
- Historical changes: Taiwan’s 2018 Company Act amendments altered some naming rules
Practical Verification Tips
- Always verify through MOEA first before relying on third-party sources
- Check multiple identifiers: Unified Business Number + Chinese name + representative
- Monitor changes: Taiwan requires annual filings that may alter company details
- Understand limitations: The MOEA system shows current status only – historical data requires official transcripts
For businesses needing to verify both Taiwan and mainland Chinese entities, our Professional Enterprise Credit Report service provides consolidated due diligence across Greater China jurisdictions, including official Taiwan company verification with English translations.
When to Seek Professional Help
Consider professional verification services when:
- Dealing with high-value transactions (>$100,000)
- The company has complex ownership structures
- English-language official documents are required
- Historical registration records are needed
- Cross-strait name conflicts arise
Our team specializes in Taiwan company document retrieval and can obtain certified documents within 3-5 working days, including MOEA-stamped registration certificates and bilingual verification reports.