About online shopping without a Chinese name and an ARC, it seems so hard!
Shopee
Only website that has an English interface, setup of the account very easy but won’t accept foreign cards. I do have Apple Pay and Line Pay set and ready to go but apparently neither are accepted. I also don’t see the COD delivery option at 7-11 that often got mentioned here? Any tips on how to get it?
I see there’s a KYC option but links are broken and don’t know how to proceed.
PCHome
Chinese-only website. Must write your name in Chinese during setup, I used translators and it accepted it. Apparently accepts Line Pay and Apple Pay? Perhaps foreign cards as well? Haven’t tried a purchase yet.
MomoShop
Chinese-only website, I find the interface very clunky and not responsive (at least on Safari on latest Mac). Only allows Chinese name during setup, but didn’t accept the same input I used in PCHome.
Haven’t tried Ruten and Rakuten yet.
What do you guys recommend or any tips to have a smooth online shopping experience while in Taiwan as a foreigner without ARC that isn’t fluent in Chinese?
I plan to update this topic or perhaps write a guide later for all the newcomers
I used to use Shopee regularly before I had an ARC, usually with COD, so it must have been possible (at least when I registered). The availability of COD depends on the seller/product too. It’s possible they might now have restricted it for new accounts, such as those not connected to an ID number. If that’s necessary, would look into registering with your passport or the ID number from immigration (I would imagine this isn’t supported, because nowadays if it’s asking for an ID number it’ll likely want a photo of the ID too).
I think I might have registered with Ruten using a fictional ARC number back in the day, but I don’t remember and didn’t use that site much.
I think you’ll find foreign cards generally aren’t supported. You’re probably mostly stuck with COD or opening a local account.
I think for a few years now it’s been basically useless except for opening accounts at the post office, unless you get lucky elsewhere. If Shopee accepts your passport, would just use that.
Oh wow I didn’t realize that tourists could open bank accounts in Taiwan. That’s great to know. Makes things easier for digital nomads who live here as tourists for parts of the year.
It legally allows every service that an ARC holder allows.
The issue is passing gatekeepers.
I got my driver’s licence and bank accounts without an ARC and a bunch of other stuff I can’t remember now. Oh all the shop’s 會員卡 i got with it as well but most of them I did online with the apps so I could avoid idiots at desks.
It was a pain in the ass cos I don’t find people particularly good at their jobs in Taiwan and they love to turn people away. It took many arguments
You need proof of being legally able to stay in Taiwan for 6 months. A few ways to qualify for that (without an ARC) but all will result in an argument at the vehicle office
I’ve come across that before too. Someone who isn’t me might have used it to sign up for something in the past, possibly Ruten also. Not sure we’re supposed to post things like that here though - I was never sure about the legality of using fake ID numbers.
