SINGAPORE: A traveller who arrived from China was fined S$17,500 on Thursday (Sep 29) for illegally importing more than 200kg of meat – including rabbit – into Singapore.
Wang Liansheng was caught on Jun 8, after officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at Changi Airport found about 226kg of frozen meat products in eight bags belonging to him.
The meat included chicken, beef, pork, mutton and rabbit meat from China.
ICA then alerted the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the meat products were seized and destroyed.
SFA noted that food imports into Singapore must meet its requirements.
“Food can only be imported by licensed importers, and every consignment must be declared and accompanied by a valid import permit,” it said. “Illegally imported food products are of unknown sources and poses food safety risk.”
It added that meat and meat products can only be imported from accredited sources in approved countries that comply with food safety standards and requirements.
Offenders who illegally import meat products from unapproved sources could be fined up to S$50,000, jailed for up to two years or both upon first offence.
Those who are convicted for a subsequent offence could be fined up to S$100,000, jailed for up to three years or both.