In order to prevent African swine fever, Taipei Customs will continue endeavoring to intercept pork or processed products from abroad. It pointed out that the customs have successively seized 553 cases of these products, which did not meet the requirements of quarantine and inspection, at the Air Express Handling Units from May to October in 2023. The gross weight in total reached 451 kilograms, including 95 kilograms of rice dumplings and 68 kilograms of moon cakes. All of these seized pork or processed products have been forwarded to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, hereinafter referred to as Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency, for review.

Taipei Customs further stated that pork or processed products are subject to quarantined items under article 5 of the "Statue for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases". In accordance with article 33 of the Statue, the importer shall apply for the issuance of quarantine permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, before importation. Importers in violation of article 33, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 7 years; in addition thereto, a fine of not more than NT$3,000,000 may be imposed in accordance with paragraph1, article 41 of the aforesaid Statue. 

Taipei customs calls on the public not to do cross-border online shopping for meat products. Also, please forward the message to your friends or family not to mail such as rice dumplings or moon cakes to Taiwan, so as not to be penalized. Any intelligence with regards to smuggling meat or processed products are welcome. Kindly contact the Taipei Customs at 0800-003-131 or Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency at 0800-039-131 to fight against illegal acts.