TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The National Immigration Agency on Wednesday reminded travelers that bringing in pork from areas hit by African swine fever could result in a NT$1 million (US$31,800) fine.
The caution came ahead of the June 19 Dragon Boat Festival when glutinous rice dumplings wrapped with pork are a popular tradition. The agency said citizens returning from overseas for the holiday should refrain from bringing pork and related products with them, per CNA.
Last year, 542 travelers were fined NT$200,000 each for carrying pork products. The list included 144 foreign nationals who were not allowed to enter Taiwan because they were unable to pay the fines.
In April, the World Organization for Animal Health restored Taiwan’s status as an area free of African swine fever, but caution is still warranted, according to the National Immigration Agency. The agency is planning to toughen border controls at airports and harbors, CNA reported.
Before taking the return flight home to Taiwan, travelers should check their luggage to make sure they are not carrying banned meat products. Making a mistake could cause unnecessary problems and financial losses, the agency said.
