It’s nice to know that some American comforts exist all over the world. It’s hard to go anywhere in the world these days where you’re not too far from a Starbucks or a McDonald’s. I have mixed feelings about this. In some ways it’s a bit sad to see too much of the Western footprint everywhere and infringing on other cultures. On the other hand, McDonald’s has always been a reliable place where I could find a toilet that wasn’t of the squatter variety.
Well, the discount membership clubs have a worldwide footprint. And while I haven’t seen Sam’s Club, I know Costco has a few establishments in Taiwan. We took a trip there the other day. Here’s what an American can expect on a trip to Costco
Notice that all the prices are listed in the local currency which is NT dollars. The conversion rate for US currency is 1 NT = 0.032 USD as of January 28, 2019. In other words divide prices by 32 for approximate US price.
If you have a Costco membership in the US, your card works over here. If you don’t have one signing up is cheap enough.
Nice! For an American, it’s really comforting to know that Costco is in Taiwan. I can’t wait to visit when I’m there next. I wonder if memberships are cheaper there. Do American memberships carry over?
Yes, American memberships do carry over! I was able to use my Costco Citi credit card with membership ID on the back to make our purchases. The price for a new membership was listed as $1,150 NT for business member and $1,350 for Gold star member which exchanges to about $37 and $43 US respectively.
Does that work in the opposite direction, and can foreigners get memberships in Taiwan?
Just wondering, because 1350TWD for the standard Gold Star is nearly $20 cheaper than the same membership in the US at $60 USD…
That’s a good question. I suspect there might not be reciprocity with a the Taiwanese membership to USA but I could be wrong. I would check with Costco to find out for sure.
Yes it works both ways. Speaking both as a loyal Costco shopper in the USA and also as a previous resident of Taiwan. The Taiwan Costco membership card can be used internationally for sure in the US, but not all countries. At one point I had signed up for the Taiwan card thinking it was cheaper. But when I came back to the USA for visits I discovered it didn’t work at Costco gas stations. I inquired With customer service I was told that’s just the way it is with Taiwan’s card.
I get the same sadness – which is why I always patronized Carrefour instead of CostCo just for diversity sake – we don’t have Carrefour in the US.
Sadness in terms of the ever reaching Western footprint? I hear you. Carrefour originates from France right? I do remember my first time setting foot in a Carrefour in Taoyuan, Taiwan. A nice place.
The Carrefour’s I’ve shopped in in Taipei were kinda dirty… reminded me a lot of KMart in the US, narrow aisled, dirty floors, overstocked shelves… not very inviting. (Also kinda reminded me of Walmart in Beijing).
And yeah, Carrefour is a French department store.
Carrefour’s might sometimes be a bit dingy but there was something about the vibe of a Carrefour that I like. It might be because it was the very first place I really even set foot in Asia. I was a late night arrival around 3 AM or so and a coworker walked with me to Carrefour so I could pick up a towel and shower supplies.
The Carrefour in Xindian is wide-aisled and very clean. It has many international products, not just American.
Haha the ikea bag. I could use a $1.65 hot dog and soda right NOW!
Ha ha. My last contract job was right next to a Costco. I would hit them up for the lunch combo. Sometimes I just raided the samples.
Do you know if the Taiwan Costco has bags to purchase? So far, I’ve seen everybody put their things in IKEA bags.
I’m not sure to be honest. I think I may have seen one there. Or maybe I’m thinking of Ikea in Taiwan.
Yes, You can buy bags at Costco in Taiwan. They have the standard green ones usually available and some cold bags as well. But If you’re lucky to go when they have the Not always available Taiwan Costco Bags get some. Those ones have Taiwan landmarks on them and say Costco Taiwan. I have these and like bringing them to Costco here in California when shopping. They are always a conversation starter.
I usually buy the coffee from Costco, there is quite a lot of overlap between the local one and the US ones in that respect. Kirkland brand coffee can be found, and occasionally I’ll find ones that I haven’t seen before.
The brands I’ve found: Starbucks, Kirkland, UCC, Barista Coffee drinks, Magnum Roasters, Jose’s, and a rotating display of other brands from store to store, season to season.
Hell, once there was even a local roaster… but I think they had to pay for floorspace! The bigger city stores tend to have more choices than the smaller stores in this respect.
Have you tried Costco in Asia?
Outside the USA, I have now been to Costco In Canada, Taiwan, Japan, and in South Korea. I’ll be swinging by one in China on the next visit to Shanghai. I always make it a point to see what each country has in side their Costco’s ahah. I’m a Costco Fanatic haha
Oh that’s cool. Yeah, I like to do the same with McDonald’s as well. Feel free to share anything you’ve discovered about different items at global Costco’s.
my parents have US Costco card. They’ve been repeatedly denied entry into Costco in Taiwan.
That’s just not fair! I hope you can get a new card.