Attention to pet owners! Cross-border purchases of dog & cat food without applying for quarantine declaration can be fined NT$1,000,000

Pet owners can be fined at least NT$50,000 and up to NT$1,000,000 if they are found purchasing overseas products such as pet food, treats, canned food, and bones online without taking the initiative to make the quarantine declaration.

According to statistics from the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, COA, Executive Yuan, 33 cases of illegal import of dog and cat food were reported from January 2021 to October 2021, with a total fine of 12.18 million New Taiwan dollars.

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Taiwan government prevents the invasion of African swine fever (ASF) through products imported abroad. (Photo / Retrieved from the Pixabay)

Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine pointed out that to prevent the invasion of African swine fever (ASF) through products imported abroad, the goods will be destroyed if one did not make the quarantine declaration. Moreover, one will be brought to justice if the goods are imported from the ASF-infected countries (zones).

The maximum penalty is the fixed-term imprisonment of fewer than 7 years and a fine of less than 3 million New Taiwan dollars; if the objects are the ones not prohibited from being imported such as dog food & cat food, one will be fined more than NT$50,000 but less than 1 million New Taiwan dollar.

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From now until the 2022 Lunar New Year, it is the peak season for online e-commerce promotions. (Photo / Retrieved from the Pixabay)

Xu Rong Bin (徐榮彬), the Deputy Director of Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, mentions that it is allowed to purchase dog and cat food from countries (zones) not affected by ASF. However, one must apply for the quarantine declaration first before importing the goods.

From now until the 2022 Lunar New Year, it is the peak season for online e-commerce promotions. Consumers are reminded not to purchase dog and cat food and other items subject to quarantine to avoid heavy fines.