Essential Guide to day to day living (Bills, Shopee, Travel etc) Part1

Welcome to Taiwan! This island is one of the safest and most convenient places to live in the world, but it has its unique quirks, especially regarding everyday transactions and bureaucracy. The following guide provides essential, practical advice on paying bills, navigating daily life, handling emergencies, and understanding local customs to make your experience as smooth as possible.

Part I: The Unbeatable Convenience of Taiwan

Paying Your Utility and General Bills

In Taiwan, managing your finances is made incredibly easy thanks to the omnipresent convenience store system.

The Convenience Store Advantage (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, etc.):

Most common utility and general bills—such as electricity, water, gas, garbage disposal fees, and even credit card bills—can be paid at any convenience store. This is the most popular and accessible method for both locals and foreigners.

How it Works: Simply bring your physical bill, which will have a barcode, to the cashier. They will scan it, you pay the exact amount in cash, and they will stamp the bill as “paid” or provide a separate receipt.
Benefits: Convenience stores are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, meaning you can pay a bill anytime, day or night.
Late Payments: If you miss the primary due date and the convenience store payment window has passed, you might need to go to the post office or the specific utility company’s office to settle the account. Avoid this to prevent small late fees.

Automatic Payment (Autopay):

For maximum convenience, consider setting up automatic bank transfers (Autopay) for your regular bills (electricity, water, phone, rent).

Setup: This requires a local Taiwanese bank account. You’ll typically need to visit your bank, bring your ARC, bank passbook, and the original utility bill. The service generally takes about one billing cycle (one or two months) to become active.
Caution: Always remember to cancel Autopay at your bank when you move or leave the country to prevent unexpected deductions.

Your Easiest Payment Options

1. The Convenience Store Method (24/7)

This is by far the most popular and accessible method for everyone, especially foreigners.

How it Works: Bring your physical bill (or a mobile app barcode) to the cashier at any 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, OK Mart, or Simple Mart. The cashier scans the barcode, you pay the amount in cash, and they stamp the bill as proof of payment.
Why it’s Best: Convenience stores are everywhere and are open 24/7, meaning you can pay bills anytime without rushing.

2. Automatic Bank Transfer (Autopay)

Ideal if you have a local bank account and prefer hands-off payment.

Setup: Visit your local bank in person. Bring your ARC, bank passbook, and a sample utility bill.
Activation: The service takes about one billing cycle (a month) to start deducting automatically.
Crucial Tip: Always cancel the Autopay service at your bank before moving or leaving Taiwan.

3. Online and Mobile Apps

For those who prefer digital transactions.

Options: Utility companies like Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) and various gas/water firms have online portals. Many local mobile payment apps (e.g., Line Pay, JKO Pay, Taiwan Pay) also allow you to scan the bill’s QR code and pay instantly with a linked local credit card or bank account.

2. Important Tips for Foreign Residents

Landlord’s Name: It’s standard for utility bills to remain in your landlord’s name. As a tenant, you are simply responsible for paying the amount due; you rarely need to change the name on the account.
Gas Meter Readings: For gas bills, you may need to read the meter yourself (often on a back balcony) and write the numbers on a specific pink slip for the company to collect.
Due Dates: Pay before the due date. While there’s usually a short grace period, missing the final deadline means you might have to pay directly at the utility company office.
Keep Your Receipts: Always save your payment receipts for at least six months as proof of payment—especially since these receipts are also your tickets for the Taiwan Receipt Lottery!

3. The Receipt Lottery: Your Bi-Monthly Bonus

Taiwan’s system of official receipts, known as the Uniform Invoice, serves a dual purpose: tax compliance and a nationwide lottery. This is a must-know feature of life here.

The Lottery: Every official receipt issued by a registered business has an 8-digit number. Every two months, the government draws a set of winning numbers with prizes ranging from a modest NT$200 up to the grand prize of NT$10 million (around $310,000 USD).
Checking Winnings: You can check the winning numbers on the Taiwan Ministry of Finance website or through various apps and news sources.
Claiming Prizes:
- Small Prizes (NT$200 to NT$1,000: Can be redeemed at convenience stores, post offices, or banks.
- Larger Prizes: Must be claimed at a designated bank. Bring your ARC/passport and the winning physical receipt.
Retention: Always keep your receipts for at least six months—not just for the lottery, but as proof of purchase, especially for high-value items or for any potential disputes.

4. Digital Receipts: The 載具 (zài jù) System

To cut down on paper waste and streamline the lottery, Taiwan encourages the use of the electronic invoice carrier, or 載具 (zài jù).

What it is: A digital barcode linked to you that stores your receipts on the cloud.
How to Use It: Register through the official app, 財政部電子發票 (cáizhèng bù diànzǐ fāpiào), using your ARC number, local phone number, and email address. Once registered, you will be given a barcode to show the cashier, and they will ask: “Do you need the zài jù?“
The Best Feature: If your zài jù is linked to your bank account, lottery winnings are often transferred directly to you, and the app will notify you if you win, saving you the hassle of checking numbers and redeeming prizes manually.

5. Practical Tips for a Smoother Life

Making Life Easier in a Foreign Country

A little preparation can save you major headaches when dealing with bureaucracy or minor emergencies.

Document Photos: Take and save clear, easily accessible photos on your phone of crucial documents:
- Your ARC (Alien Resident Certificate)
- Your passport (photo page and visa page)
- Your vehicle registration number (especially for scooters)
- These photos can be a lifesaver for quick identification or verification in a pinch.
Shopping Smarter: When buying something you can’t easily pronounce or describe (e.g., a specific piece of hardware or a medicine brand), find a clear photo of the item on your phone. Showing a photo to a cashier or store clerk is infinitely faster and more accurate than trying to navigate a language barrier.
Metric vs. Local Weights: When shopping at traditional markets, be aware of local measurements. Produce is often sold by the 斤 (jīn), which is a local unit equal to 600 grams, not the standard international kilogram (1000g. Ask the vendor to clarify if you’re unsure.

6. Navigating Taiwan’s Travel Landscape

Taiwan is small, but its holidays can bring the entire country to a standstill.

Holiday Travel: Avoid non-essential travel within Taiwan on bank holidays and long weekends. Everyone travels during these periods. Expect massive traffic jams, sold-out train and High-Speed Rail (HSR) tickets, and fully booked hotels.
Planning Ahead: If you must travel on a holiday, plan and book your HSR or train tickets immediately when they become available (typically 28-29 days in advance).

7. The Inevitable Towed Vehicle

Parking rules in Taiwan, particularly for scooters, can be confusing and strictly enforced. If your vehicle is towed, don’t panic—but be prepared.

The Chalk Mark: If your car or moped is missing, first look on the street curb where it was parked for a chalk mark. The towing crew uses this to indicate the vehicle was taken.
Take a Photo: Immediately take a photo of the chalk mark. This is proof for a taxi driver.
The Key Photo: Make sure you have a photo of your car or moped (including its license plate) stored on your phone. This helps you identify the vehicle at the impound lot and confirms the plate number to the cab driver.
Getting There: Show a cab driver the chalk mark photo, and they can typically figure out which impound lot your vehicle was taken to.

8. The E-Commerce Ecosystem: Shopee

Shopee 蝦皮 is one of Taiwan’s dominant e-commerce platforms, used for everything from electronics and fashion to groceries and obscure parts. Setting up an account is essential for modern living.

Creating a Shopee Account

Go to the Website or App: Visit shopee.tw.
Registration: Click on 註冊 (zhù cè – Register) in the top right corner.
Verification: Sign up using your Taiwanese phone number or link a third-party account (Facebook, Google, Line). You will need to verify your number/email with a 驗證碼 (yàn zhèng mǎ – verification code).
Create Details: Choose a unique 賬號名稱 (zhàng hào míng chēng – username) and a secure 密碼 (mì mǎ – password).
Personal Details: Under the “我的 (My)” tab, fill out your personal information, including your full name (姓名 – xìng míng) and shipping address (收件地址 – shōu jiàn dì zhǐ).

Payment and Delivery Options

Shopee is flexible but favors local accounts.

Delivery Options at Checkout:
- Home Delivery (宅配 – zhái pèi): Goods delivered directly to your address.
- Convenience Store Pickup (超商取貨 – chāo shāng qǔ huò): The most popular option. You pick up and often pay for the item at a designated 7-Eleven or FamilyMart near you.
- Shopee Store Pickup (蝦皮店到店 – xiā pí diàn dào diàn): Pickup at one of Shopee’s dedicated physical stores.
Payment Methods:
- Credit/Debit Card (信用卡 / 簽帳卡): Only local Taiwan-issued cards are typically accepted for card payments.
- Convenience Store Payment (超商付款): Pay in cash when you pick up your order at the convenience store.
- Shopee Wallet (蝦皮錢包): Requires ID verification but allows for easier refunds and internal transactions.

By understanding these systems—from bill payment at the corner store to the use of digital receipts and local measurements—you will find living in Taiwan exceptionally easy and rewarding.