Why Are Taiwan's Mailboxes Divided into 'Red' and 'Green'? It's Not Just for Aesthetics — Their True Purposes 50 Years Ago Were Actually Different

Walking through the streets of Taiwan, you might occasionally spot red and green mailboxes outside post offices, near schools, or in residential neighborhoods. Even though fewer people send letters today than in the past, these two-colored mailboxes remain a familiar sight for many. But why are Taiwan’s mailboxes divided into red and green? In fact, this red-and-green color scheme wasn’t always around. It wasn’t until 1973 that Taiwan officially introduced the now-familiar rectangular pillar-style mailbox, using vermilion red for express mail and dark green for standard mail. The red and green colors weren’t merely decorative—they originally served as part of a mail classification system.

Why Are Taiwan’s Mailboxes Red and Green? Red Is for Express, Green for Standard Mail

According to Chunghwa Post’s publication, The Post, starting in 1973, Taiwan began using steel rectangular pillar mailboxes coated with enamel paint. Vermilion red was designated for express mail collection, while dark green was used for standard mail. These became the beloved “Little Red” and “Little Green” fixtures in Taiwanese communities. The colors red and green actually represent different types of mail. Under Chunghwa Post’s current Postal Business Regulations, domestic mail items with an added express fee and delivered via express mail service are classified as “express mail,” while regular letters follow the standard mail process. According to delivery timeframes published by Chunghwa Post, standard mail is generally delivered within two to three business days, whereas express mail has varying delivery times depending on origin and destination. In earlier decades when letter-writing was common, the mailbox colors provided an intuitive way to sort mail—senders could simply choose the appropriate box based on the type of mail they were sending.

Taiwan’s Mailboxes Weren’t Always Red and Green! Standard Mailboxes Were Once Yellow-Green, Express Ones Silver-Blue

Many might assume Taiwan’s mailboxes have always been red and green, but in reality, early mailbox designs and colors were vastly different from today’s. Historical records from Chunghwa Post indicate that in the immediate postwar period of 1945, Taiwan used wooden green rectangular boxes with pointed tops painted yellow. Later, cylindrical cast-iron mailboxes appeared, with standard mailboxes painted yellow-green and express ones in silver-blue—completely different from today’s familiar red-green pairing.

However, the cylindrical mailboxes had several drawbacks. Official documents note that these boxes were bulky, requiring postal workers to bend down when collecting mail. Additionally, their heavy cast-iron construction made relocation difficult. As a result, they were gradually replaced by newer models. By 1973, mailboxes shifted to lighter steel rectangular pillars, and during this redesign, express mail was officially marked with vermilion red and standard mail with dark green. Thus, the now-iconic red-and-green combination became standardized across Taiwan. Counting from 1973 to 2026, this color scheme has stood on Taiwan’s streets for over 50 years.

Do Red and Green Mailboxes Still Serve Different Purposes Today?

Even with the widespread use of email and messaging apps, the classification of standard and express mail represented by red and green mailboxes still exists. Chunghwa Post’s “Mailbox Location Search” shows that mailboxes are still categorized as “standard mailboxes” and “express mailboxes.” Some locations even feature “dual-purpose express-standard mailboxes,” combining both functions into a single unit. While not all areas maintain separate red and green mailboxes, the distinction between standard and express mail remains in effect.

Currently, Chunghwa Post states that domestic standard mail is typically delivered on the second or third business day. Express mail delivery times vary by region—for example, intercity deliveries within western Taiwan may arrive by 2:00 PM on the second day after posting. The red and green mailboxes lining the streets may seem like an ordinary part of urban life, but they carry traces of an era when handwritten correspondence was central to daily communication. Though letter-sending is no longer a primary means of contact, the enduring red and green mailboxes continue to preserve the legacy of postal operations from the heyday of paper-based mail.

References: Chunghwa Post, The Post: “Enduring Guardians: The Art of Street Mailboxes Around the World” Chunghwa Post, Postal Business Regulations Chunghwa Post, Domestic Standard Mail and Express Mail Delivery Time Data Chunghwa Post, “Mailbox (Box) Location Search”