Online and Cross-Border Shopping Involve Many Risks: Verify the Inspection Mark and Product Source, Especially for Low-Priced Products

As online shopping, cross-border e-commerce, social-media group-buying arrangements, and live-stream sales rapidly become more widespread, consumers can purchase a wide variety of products more conveniently. However, attractive prices, limited-time promotions, and direct overseas shipping may cause consumers to overlook whether products comply with domestic safety requirements, provide complete labeling, or fall within the scope of mandatory inspection.

BSMI's Xiao An Xin recently adopted the product safety campaign theme, Cross-Border Shopping Involves Many Risks: Shop Smart and Avoid Pitfalls, reminding consumers not to consider price alone when shopping online but also to pay attention to product sources, inspection marks, and safe use. Action Technology also reminds consumers to conduct additional checks before purchasing electrical appliances, rechargeable products, toys, products for children, and household products in particular.

Low-Priced Products Do Not Necessarily Comply with Safety Requirements

Online shopping platforms commonly offer many products at prices substantially below prevailing market prices, including chargers, power banks, small household appliances, electric heating products, lighting products, children's toys, and household goods. If such products come from unknown sources, have unclear specifications, or lack the required inspection marks, they may present risks involving electrical safety, overheating, short circuits, material quality, or insufficient operating instructions.

Consumers should not base purchasing decisions solely on price, appearance, the number of reviews, or influencer recommendations. They should further confirm whether the product is suitable for use in Taiwan, provides Chinese-language labeling, complies with domestic requirements, and includes information identifying a legitimate business or after-sales service provider.

Products Subject to Mandatory Inspection Should Bear the Commodity Inspection Mark

Certain products are legally designated as commodities subject to mandatory inspection. They must complete the inspection procedures prescribed by BSMI and comply with the applicable safety or quality requirements before they may be displayed or sold in the domestic market. Common categories include certain electrical appliances, rechargeable products, lighting products, toys, products for children, and specified household products.

When purchasing these products, consumers should check whether the Commodity Inspection Mark is displayed on the product itself, outer packaging, label, or instructions. Consumers should exercise caution even if a product is inexpensive when the labeling is unclear, no Chinese-language information is provided, or the seller cannot provide inspection information or an explanation of the product source.

Common Risks of Cross-Border Shopping

Although cross-border shopping offers a wide selection and sometimes lower prices, consumers may discover safety or repair issues only after using a product because it has not completed inspection under Taiwan requirements, its plug or voltage specifications are incompatible, its instructions are not provided in Chinese, after-sales service is difficult to obtain, or returns and exchanges are inconvenient.

• The Product May Not Comply with Taiwan Inspection Requirements: Products sold overseas may not have completed inspection or obtained the relevant mark in accordance with Taiwan requirements.
• Voltage and Plug Specifications May Be Incompatible: Electrical appliances or rechargeable products with specifications unsuitable for use in Taiwan may present increased risks of overheating, short circuits, or damage.
• Chinese-Language Labeling and Instructions May Be Insufficient: Missing Chinese-language warnings, restrictions on use, maintenance instructions, or safety information may result in improper use.
• After-Sales Service and Responsibility May Be Difficult to Trace: If the seller is located overseas or the product comes from an unknown source, consumers may have difficulty obtaining compensation or repairs in the event of a malfunction, recall, or safety incident.

Purchase Electrical Appliances and Rechargeable Products with Particular Care

Consumers should pay particular attention to the Commodity Inspection Mark and safe use when purchasing power banks, chargers, extension cords, hair dryers, electric kettles, electric fans, lighting products, rechargeable small appliances, and similar products. These products involve electricity, batteries, heat generation, or prolonged operation. Poor quality or inadequate protective design may create risks of overheating, short circuits, fire, electric shock, or battery swelling.

When purchasing electrical products online, consumers are advised to first confirm whether the product page clearly discloses the brand, model number, specifications, rated voltage, and manufacturer or importer information. They should also check whether the Commodity Inspection Mark is visible in the product photographs or descriptions. Impulsive purchases should be avoided if a product page emphasizes only a low price, rapid shipping, or direct overseas delivery without providing clear labeling information.

Inspect the Labeling and Product Condition after Delivery

Even after completing an order, consumers should inspect the product again upon delivery. They should confirm that the outer packaging is intact, the product itself bears the required labeling, the instructions are provided in Chinese, the plug and voltage specifications are correct, and there are no unusual odors, damage, loose parts, deformation, or missing components.

If the product labeling differs from the online description, the Commodity Inspection Mark is absent, or the product exhibits abnormal heat, smoke, unusual odors, or abnormal noise during use, consumers should stop using it immediately and report the issue to the seller, platform, or relevant authority.

Product Safety Recommendations

Action Technology recommends that consumers establish the purchasing habit of checking the mark first, reviewing the specifications, verifying the source, and retaining records when shopping online or through cross-border channels. Price should not be the sole basis for purchasing products involving electricity, batteries, use by children, or prolonged operation.

• Confirm the Commodity Inspection Mark: When purchasing electrical appliances, toys, products for children, or other commodities subject to mandatory inspection, confirm that the product bears a valid inspection mark.
• Review Chinese-Language Labeling: Check whether the product displays the brand, model number, specifications, manufacturer or importer information, operating methods, warnings, and precautions.
• Avoid Products from Unknown Sources: Exercise caution with products that lack clear seller information, a brand, model number, warranty, or inspection mark, or are offered at unusually low prices.
• Check the Voltage and Operating Environment: Overseas products may not be suitable for the voltage, plug specifications, or operating environment in Taiwan. Confirm compatibility before purchasing.
• Retain Purchase and Product Information: Keep order records, invoices, screenshots of the product page, seller information, and warranty documentation to facilitate tracking and handling if a dispute subsequently arises.
• Stop Use Immediately If an Abnormality Occurs: If overheating, unusual odors, smoke, swelling, leakage, abnormal noise, or enclosure deformation occurs, stop using the product and keep it away from flammable materials.

Shop Online Wisely: Safety Is More Important Than a Low Price

Online and cross-border shopping provide convenient purchasing options, but consumers must still actively safeguard product safety. Electrical appliances, rechargeable products, toys, and products for children may present risks during use if they do not comply with inspection requirements or lack complete labeling.

Action Technology Co., Ltd. will continue to monitor product safety campaigns and commodity inspection information published by BSMI, helping consumers and businesses develop a proper understanding of product safety. Action Technology also reminds manufacturers, importers, brand owners, and retailers to ensure that products comply with inspection and labeling requirements so that product safety is not merely a pre-market procedure but also an important foundation of consumer trust.

Sources: Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, Ministry of Economic Affairs｜Cross-Border Shopping Involves Many Risks: Shop Smart and Avoid Pitfalls
Xiao An Xin｜Cross-Border Shopping Involves Many Risks: Shop Smart and Avoid Pitfalls