Japan has recently continued to report frequent bear sightings. Some netizens have asked whether canned bear meat purchased in Japan can be brought into Taiwan. The Forestry Agency stated that prior approval must be obtained in accordance with regulations, and violators may face fines of up to NT$1.5 million as well as criminal liability.

The Ministry of Agriculture's Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency said in a press release that all products derived from protected wildlife are subject to strict regulation under Taiwan's Wildlife Conservation Act and relevant international conventions. Members of the public who wish to bring such products into Taiwan must apply for approval in advance. Violators may be sentenced to up to five years in prison and fined up to NT$1.5 million.

The Forestry Agency reminded the public that if there is a genuine need to import products derived from protected wildlife, applications must be submitted in advance through the Ministry of Agriculture's Joint Approval and Customs Clearance Platform. If the products involve species listed under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), an export permit issued by the exporting country is also required. After preliminary review by local governments and approval by the Ministry of Agriculture, the products may be brought into Taiwan and declared to customs.

However, the Forestry Agency noted that the entire review process generally takes about three to four weeks. If such products are purchased during travel and an application is submitted afterward, approval may not be obtained in time.

The Forestry Agency pointed out that the list of protected wildlife designated under the Wildlife Conservation Act includes all bear species, reticulated pythons, elephants, rhinoceroses, Siamese crocodiles, and others. Products derived from protected wildlife include the whole or part of an animal's body, such as carcasses, bones, horns, teeth, skins, hair, eggs, organs, or their processed products.

The agency also stated that common violations include traditional medicines and health supplements containing tiger bone powder or bear bile powder, stamps or carvings made from ivory of living elephants, luxury items such as watch straps and wallets made from python skin, as well as dried or vacuum-packed cobra meat, Asian softshell turtle meat, and canned or processed bear meat.

The Forestry Agency emphasized that although such products may be legally sold in shops or markets in some countries, bringing them into Taiwan without approval documents from the competent authority constitutes illegal importation and may also violate animal and plant quarantine regulations.

This article is used with authorization from the Central News Agency.