Customs was established in the fourth year of the Xianfeng reign of the Qing dynasty (1854) and has a long history. In addition to its fiscal function of enriching the national treasury and its economic function of promoting economic development, Customs also serves a border guardian role in combating illegal activities and maintaining social security. In order to ensure the permanent preservation of the artifacts documenting Customs' growth, the idea of establishing the Customs Museum was first discussed in 1987 (the 76th year of the Republic of China), leading to the formation of a preparatory committee. After ten years of preparation, the new Customs Building was completed in 1996 (the 85th year of the Republic of China). On November 14 of the same year, the Customs Museum and the Customs Building were inaugurated simultaneously and opened free of charge to the general public.
The Customs Museum is located in the historic Dadaocheng district. In the mid-nineteenth century, when Taiwan opened its ports to trade, Dadaocheng was incorporated into the global trading system, and by the twentieth century it had gradually developed into a hub connecting sea and land routes linked to the railway network. The surrounding area of the Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance building—where the Customs Museum is housed—includes numerous historic sites and attractions such as the Dadaocheng Wharf, Beimen (North Gate of Taipei), the former Taiwan Governor-General's Office Railway Department, the Mitsui Warehouse, the Taipei Post Office, and the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha Taipei Branch. All of these are closely related to the globalization represented by Customs. In 2022 (the 111th year of the Republic of China), one hundred selected items from the museum's collection were integrated with contemporary digital technology for a renewed presentation. On November 15, 2024 (the 113th year of the Republic of China), the Customs Museum reopened in an entirely new form, presenting the history of Customs and its year-round work and services from a fresh perspective, aspiring to create a knowledge exploration space that combines the functions of collection, experience, and education.

The Customs Museum

Prologue Hall - Introduction and Opening by Toms, the Junior Customs Envoy

Exhibition Overview, Gallery Space, and Logo Design

Customs Personnel

Customs Narcotics Detector Dog

Container Yard

Cargo Clearance Procedures

Introduction to CCC Mart

The Theater of All Things

Border Archives

Controls on Goods from Mainland China

Narcotics Inspection

Inspection of Guns, Ammunition, Knives and Weapons

Inspection of Items Infringing Intellectual Property Rights (Pirated GODZILLA Sculpture)

Particular Exhibition Hall (Smart Customs)

Roadmap of Customs Digitization

A Century of Stories

Boundary Stone Introduction

Customs Artifacts

Lighthouse Memories - Exhibition Introduction

The Evolution of Customs Clearance

Currencies for Duty Payment

Calculator Tools and Customs Documents

Global Customs Affairs

Customs Exchange and Cooperation

International Memorabilia

Closing Words from Toms, the Junior Customs Envoy

The Customs Museum was established in 1996, shouldering the important mission of preserving customs artifacts and disseminating related knowledge.
The first-floor gallery centers on the concept of "Journey of Goods," featuring six themed sections: the Prologue Hall, Customs Personnel, CCC Mart, The Theater of All Things, Border Archives, and the Particular Exhibition Hall. Through the import and export clearance journey of "goods," visitors gain a deeper understanding of how Customs operates.
The second-floor gallery is organized around the theme of "Connecting the World," featuring five sections: A Century of Stories, Customs Vessels, Lighthouse Memories, The Evolution of Customs Clearance, and Global Customs Affairs. These sections narrate stories spanning from the past to the present day, and trace the evolution of various systems over time.
The highlights of this exhibition lie not only in the diversity and interactivity of its displays, but also in the cultural significance it conveys. The Customs Museum is no longer merely a static venue for artifact exhibition—it has become a living laboratory for exploring customs culture, encouraging deeper dialogue between visitors and the exhibits on display.

Robert Hart
Second Inspector General of Customs, serving from 1863 to 1911, with a tenure of nearly fifty years.
● He established a comprehensive modern Customs management system.
● He laid the organizational foundations for revenue collection, port maintenance, and lighthouse management.
● He created a personnel system distinguishing administrative and field duties.
● He designed customs uniforms and required foreign officers to remain politically neutral, establishing the tradition of Customs staying out of politics.

Lester Knox Little
Fifth Inspector General of Customs and the last foreign Inspector General.
● During the final stage of the Chinese Civil War, he led key Customs officers to Taiwan with the ROC government.
● He re-established the “Boundary Markers of the Inspectorate General of Customs” at the Tamsui Customs Officer’s Residence, also known as the “Little White House”, to reaffirm Customs jurisdiction.
● He re-established the “Landmark Stones of the Inspectorate General of Customs” at the Tamsui Customs Officer’s Residence, also known as the “Little White House”, to reaffirm Customs jurisdiction.
● The systems and archives he preserved were vital to rebuilding Customs operations in Taiwan.

Formation of the current Customs organization in Taiwan
● Taiwan’s new Customs system traces its roots to the modern Qing dynasty Customs established under Sir Robert Hart.
● Lester Knox Little brought the Inspectorate General of Customs system to Taiwan.
● In 1991, Customs was formally institutionalized and named the Directorate General of Customs under the Ministry of Finance.
● In 2013, the Department of Customs Administration and the Directorate General of Customs were merged to form today’s Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance.