Taipei Customs recently seized several cases involving false declarations of orchid plants, classified as endangered species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The exporters were unable to submit permits issued by the International Trade Administration (ITA), Ministry of Economics Affairs, thereby violating the Trade Act and related regulations.

Taipei Customs stated that, in accordance with Article 13-1 of the Trade Act and Article 10-13 of the Regulations on Import and Export of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna, Flora, and Related Products, the export or re-export of endangered flora and related products requires prior approval in the form of a CITES export permit issued by the ITA. Exporters must honestly declare both the scientific and common names of the goods, as well as the permit number issued by the ITA or the relevant details of other required permits, in the export declaration form or other supporting documents.

Any violation of Paragraph 1 of Article 13-1, including exporting without authorization or importing without submitting a valid export permit issued by the exporting country, may result in an administrative fine of up to NT$3,000,000 or a suspension of export/import privileges for up to one year based on the Trade Act. Taipei Customs urges exporters to make truthful declarations to avoid penalties.

For information on species listed in the CITES Appendices, please visit the website of the International Trade Administration. (https://www.trade.gov.tw/)