With the Lunar New Year Approaching, Foreign Nationals Are Reminded to Strictly Comply with African Swine Fever Prevention Regulations to Avoid Penalties and Entry Restrictions
- Date：
- Source：Entry & Exit Restriction Section
- Hit：184
- Updated date：2026-02-06
As the Lunar New Year holiday approaches, the global African swine fever (ASF) situation remains severe. To prevent the introduction of major transboundary animal diseases and to safeguard the security of Taiwan’s livestock industry, the National Immigration Agency of the Ministry of the Interior reminds all inbound travelers, migrant workers, new residents, and foreign students to strictly comply with all disease prevention and quarantine measures enforced by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA) under the Ministry of Agriculture.I. Current Status and Risks of Illegal Meat Imports
According to statistics, from January 1, 2025 to date, APHIA has intercepted 159 cases at Taiwan’s airports and seaports involving foreign nationals illegally carrying meat products. In these cases, the individuals were denied entry due to their inability to pay fines on the spot. Confiscated items included sausages, pork sandwiches, jerky, and egg rolls containing pork floss. Both Taiwanese nationals and foreign visitors are urged not to take chances, as violations may seriously affect entry and exit rights.
II. Key Prevention Regulations and Penalties
1. Prohibited items
All meat products, processed foods containing meat, and in-flight meals containing meat are strictly prohibited from being brought into Taiwan. If such items are inadvertently carried, they must be discarded in designated disposal bins before arrival or voluntarily declared and surrendered prior to customs clearance.
2. Penalty standards (pork products):
First violation: Fine of NT$ 200,000
Second violation: Fine of NT$ 1,000,000
3. Denial of entry measures
Foreign nationals without residence status who are fined NT$ 200,000 and are unable to pay the fine immediately will be transferred by APHIA to the National Immigration Agency for denial of entry and deportation, in accordance with the law.
III. Prohibited Items in Parcels and Express Shipments
Foreign nationals are advised to inform friends and relatives overseas not to send meat products or other quarantine-restricted items to Taiwan via mail or express delivery. If pork products originating from ASF-affected regions are discovered, the recipient will be subject to a fine of NT$ 200,000 for the first offense or NT$ 1,000,000 for repeat offenses.
Disease prevention is critical to national public welfare and industrial security. All foreign nationals are urged to cooperate fully in safeguarding Taiwan’s hard-earned disease prevention achievements.