General Information

GENERAL INFORMATION

CONFERENCE VENUE

Kaohsiung Exhibition Center

Please see the Venue page for more information.

LANGUAGE

The official language of ISEE 2023 is English.

TIME ZONE

There are no Daylight Saving Time clock changes in Taiwan, as the country observes the National Standard Time (UTC + 08:00) year-round.

VISA REQUIREMENT

Please see the Visa & Travel Information page for more information.

LIABILITY & INSURANCE

The Annual Conference Organizing Secretariat cannot accept liability for personal accidents or loss of or damage to the private property of participants. Upon registration, participants agree that neither the Local Organizing Committee nor the Annual Conference Organizing Secretariat assumes any liability. Participants are advised to take out their own personal travel and health insurance for their trip.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Please do not leave bags, suitcases, or any other belongings unattended at any time, whether inside or outside the session halls. Hotels strongly recommend that you use their safety deposit boxes for your valuables.

If you are a victim of crime, call the local police at 110. If you are injured and require immediate medical attention, call the fire and ambulance service at 119.

CLIMATE

Although September marks the beginning of autumn in Taiwan, Kaohsiung still experiences tropical weather due to its location in the south of the main island. The average temperature in Kaohsiung in September is 26.7°C (80°F), with an average minimum temperature of 24.3°C (75.7°F) and an average maximum temperature of 29.7°C (85.5°F).

September is also part of the rainy season in Kaohsiung, with precipitation experienced for 16 days out of the month on average. It’s a good idea to pack an umbrella or light raincoat for your visit.

CLOTHING

The dress code for ISEE 2023 is business formal for all occasions unless stated otherwise.

ELECTRICITY

Taiwan has the same electrical outlets as the US and Canada (types A and B), using a standard voltage of 110V with a standard frequency of 60Hz. volt electricity and 60Hz electrical current.

CURRENCY & EXCHANGE

The legal currency of Taiwan is the New Taiwan dollar (NT$), whose basic unit is the yuan, which is divided into 10 jiao and 100 fen. Currently, there are coins of 50 fen (NT$0.5) as well as 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 yuan (NT$1, NT$5, NT$10, NT$20, and NT$50, respectively). There are also banknotes of 100, 200, 500, 1000, and 2000 yuan available (NT$100, NT$200, NT$500, NT$1000, and NT$2000, respectively).

ATMs are widely available 24 hours a day throughout Taiwan. Even if the ATM only accepts Taiwanese cards, it is possible to use a foreign credit or debit card with additional charges incurred. While the amount of money that can be obtained in a single withdrawal depends on the individual bank, the total amount of withdrawals made within one day cannot exceed NT$100,000.

On the whole, MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted credit cards throughout Taiwan, although certain businesses will also take American Express cards. If you are in doubt, it is best to check whether your credit card provider supports conversion to the New Taiwan dollar prior to your trip.

TAX

In Taiwan, VAT is payable on the transfer of goods and the provision of services at a 5% rate. There is no additional sales tax on goods and services, so the price you see on the menu is the price you pay.

Foreign travelers who make purchases of at least NT$2,000 on the same day from the same designated store with the “Taiwan Tax Refund” label may qualify for a tax refund. For more information about tax refunds and which procedures to follow, please visit this page.

TIPPING

Tipping is discretionary albeit uncommon in Taiwan. Restaurants will generally add a 10 to 15 percent gratuity charge to your check, but if they do not, you must not feel obligated to tip. Small vendors and taxi drivers will generally not expect tips either, although tour guides, private chauffeurs, food delivery workers, and hotel bellhops may be the exception to the rule. In such cases, a 5-10% tip would be highly appreciated.