Owner of online retail shop fined for illegally importing food products from China

SINGAPORE: The owner of an online retail shop was fined on Wednesday (Jul 6) for illegally importing seafood, meat products and processed food from China.

Lui Whatt Beng, the sole proprietor of Lui Fammart, was fined S$8,000, said the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) in a media release.

Officers from SFA had conducted an operation in November 2021 and seized about 21kg of seafood and meat products, as well as more than 240kg of processed food which included beancurd and instant noodle sauces. 

“Our investigation revealed that Lui had illegally imported these products from China and had been selling them online,” said the agency.

Food imports in Singapore can only be brought in by licensed importers. Every consignment must be declared and accompanied by a valid import permit, said SFA. 

“Illegally imported food products are of unknown sources and pose food safety risk,” it added.

Offenders who illegally import meat or fish products face a maximum fine of S$50,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both. 

Those convicted of illegally importing processed food face a fine of up to S$1,000.