With the Dragon Boat Festival Approaching, Please Cooperate in Preventing the Introduction of African Swine Fever and Other Major Transboundary Animal Diseases into Taiwan

• Date： 2025-05-23
• Source：Entry & Exit Restriction Section
• Hit：52
• Updated date：2025-05-23

1. Since January 1, 2025, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA) under the Ministry of Agriculture has intercepted 46 cases of inbound travelers attempting to illegally bring meat products into Taiwan through airports and seaports. Due to their inability to pay the imposed fines on the spot, these individuals were denied entry. Among these cases, travelers from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau (14 cases) accounted for the majority, followed by Thailand (7 cases) and the Philippines (5 cases). The main purposes of travel were tourism (38 cases), visiting relatives (4 cases), and labor migration (2 cases). The prohibited items included ham sausages, pork sandwiches, jerky, and pork floss egg rolls.
2. Given the continued global threat of African Swine Fever (ASF), with 74 countries and regions currently listed as ASF-affected areas, including 19 in Asia, and the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, APHIA urges the public to observe the following important precautions to prevent the potential spread of ASF into Taiwan:
(1) Travelers must not bring meat products, other animal-derived products, or in-flight meals into Taiwan. Any such items carried should be disposed of in designated disposal bins or declared for disposal at customs prior to entry.
(2) Individuals found illegally bringing pork products into Taiwan will face a fine of NT$200,000 for a first offense, and NT$1,000,000 for a second offense. For individuals without alien residency status, if they are unable to pay the NT$200,000 fine immediately, the responsible APHIA unit will refer them to the National Immigration Agency for denial of entry into the country.
(3) The public is reminded to inform relatives and friends abroad that sending meat products or other quarantine-regulated items by courier or mail to Taiwan is strictly prohibited. If pork products are sent from countries or regions affected by ASF and intercepted upon first detection, the recipient will be fined NT$200,000. For second or subsequent violations, the recipient will be subject to a NT$1,000,000 fine.
3. For promotional materials on ASF prevention, the public may visit the ASF Information Section on the APHIA website at https://asf.aphia.gov.tw/ws.php?id=21710. Additionally, the "Reference Table for Customs Personnel Regarding Quarantine Regulations on Common Animals and Plants Carried by Inbound Travelers" is available for download at https://www.aphia.gov.tw/ws.php?id=10719.