Are you planning a trip to Taiwan and wondering if you can bring your favorite smoked salmon with you?
With the recent tightening of border inspections against African swine fever and other animal diseases, it’s important to know what food products are allowed into the country.
While almost all kinds of meat products made from land animals are not permitted, there may be some exceptions for seafood products like smoked salmon.
In this article, we’ll explore the regulations and guidelines for bringing food products into Taiwan and help you determine if your smoked salmon is allowed.
So sit back, relax, and let’s dive in!
Can I Bring Smoked Salmon To Taiwan?
The short answer is yes, you can bring smoked salmon to Taiwan. However, there are some important regulations and guidelines that you need to be aware of before packing your favorite seafood product.
According to the Taiwan government’s policy of keeping African Swine Fever and other animal diseases out of the country, almost all kinds of meat products made from land animals are not permitted to carry into Taiwan. This includes pork products from ASF infected areas.
However, seafood products like smoked salmon are generally allowed as long as they meet certain criteria. The product must be fresh (chilled or frozen), cooked, cured, or dried and must have official documentation to prove its country of origin.
The following items are considered official documentation: package label, written documentation, proof of travel (passport or travel itinerary), origin of flight, receipt of sale, CBP document (based on the officer’s interview of the traveler), a meat inspection certificate, or certificate of origin.
It’s important to note that if your smoked salmon is breaded, it may be subject to concern because of the milk or eggs that can be used in breading. In this case, it’s best to check with a government official if you have any questions.
Understanding Taiwan’s Food Regulations
Taiwan has specific laws and regulations governing trade measurement markings on foods. The Weights and Measures Act is the primary governing law for measurement markings related to trade. Taiwan adopts the International System of Units, and acceptable measurements include ml, kg, etc.
Labeling of six allergenic raw materials including shrimp, crab, mango, peanut, milk (lactitol excluded), and egg is mandatory. Labeling of allergens such as goat milk, fish, cephalopoda, spiral shell, nut seed, cereal containing gluten, soybean, kiwifruit and its processed products or when the total volume of sulfite or sulfur dioxide residues in a product reaches 10mg/kg or above is still a non-mandatory requirement.
Foods sold in the market must be labeled with the origin of ingredient for producing the food. Foods of domestic origin shall be labeled with “Made in Taiwan” or respective counties or cities in Taiwan. Foods imported from abroad shall be labeled with the names of the countries where the foods have been produced. Foods blended with sources from two or more countries of origin shall be labeled with their respective proportions.
It’s important to note that intentional mislabeling of products may result in a fine of up to NT$4 million. Additionally, a maximum sentence of five years may be imposed for the addition of food additives not approved by the central regulatory authorities.
Prohibited Food Products In Taiwan
While smoked salmon is generally allowed in Taiwan, there are several types of food products that are prohibited from entering the country. According to the Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Disease, almost all kinds of meat products made from land animals are not permitted to carry into Taiwan. This includes beef, pork, and lamb products.
In addition, the import of all kinds of pork products from ASF infected areas is strictly banned to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever in Taiwan. First-time violators may be fined NTD 200,000 regardless of nationality, and foreigners may be repatriated if they do not pay the fine at the border.
It’s also important to note that certain food products may be prohibited or restricted based on public sanitation and national defense concerns. For example, Taiwan maintains a lengthy list of products that are banned if made in mainland China, including chocolate confectionary and meters for medical equipment.
To avoid any issues when bringing food products into Taiwan, it’s best to check with a government official or refer to the “Travelers/Arrival/Agriculture and Food products” guidelines. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and avoid bringing any questionable food items into the country.
Exceptions For Seafood Products
While almost all kinds of meat products made from land animals are not permitted to carry into Taiwan, there are some exceptions for certain seafood products. According to the Taiwan government’s regulations, uneviscerated, frozen or chilled salmonids, perches, catfishes, and cyprinids are allowed to be brought into the country. Live finfish other than live Coho salmon, live shrimp, prawns, crayfish, or abalone are also permitted.
However, it’s important to note that these exceptions only apply if the seafood products meet the processing and quarantine criteria set by the competent authority. Additionally, official documentation proving the country of origin must be presented upon arrival in Taiwan.
It’s always best to check with a government official if you have any questions about whether or not a specific seafood product is allowed to be brought into Taiwan. In case of any discrepancy between the English version and the Chinese version of the regulations, the latter shall prevail.
Guidelines For Bringing Smoked Salmon Into Taiwan
If you plan on bringing smoked salmon into Taiwan, here are some guidelines to follow:
1. Ensure that the smoked salmon is fresh, chilled, frozen, cooked, cured, or dried. Any other type of meat product made from land animals is not permitted.
2. Have official documentation to prove the country of origin of the smoked salmon. This can include a package label, written documentation, proof of travel (passport or travel itinerary), origin of flight, receipt of sale, CBP document (based on the officer’s interview of the traveler), a meat inspection certificate, or certificate of origin.
3. If your smoked salmon is breaded, it may be subject to concern because of the milk or eggs that can be used in breading. It’s best to check with a government official if you have any questions.
4. Be aware that there may be fines ranging from NTD 10,000 to NTD 1,000,000 if you bring prohibited meat products into Taiwan without declaring them to Customs.
5. Follow all import regulations and guidelines set forth by the Bureau of Foreign Trade and other relevant authorities. This may include obtaining an import permit or license for certain commodities and providing necessary documents such as a commercial invoice and packing list.
By following these guidelines and being aware of the regulations in place, you can safely bring smoked salmon into Taiwan without violating any laws or risking fines.
Tips For Declaring Food Products At Customs
When traveling to Taiwan, it’s important to declare all agricultural products on your U.S. Customs forms upon entry. This includes any smoked salmon or other seafood products you may be carrying. U.S. agricultural inspectors will examine your items to ensure they meet entry requirements and do not harbor harmful foreign pests or diseases.
To make the declaration process smoother, we recommend that you keep receipts and original packaging of agricultural products as proof of their country of origin. This will help you provide the necessary official documentation to prove the product’s safety and eligibility for entry into Taiwan.
It’s also important to note that if you’re carrying any other food products, aside from smoked salmon, you should refer to the “Travelers/Arrival/Agriculture and Food products” guidelines provided by the Taiwan government. This will help you determine if the product is allowed or not.
In addition, it’s crucial to ensure that the commodity description and value shown on the commercial invoices must agree with those on the import license, if any. Most documents presented for use in customs clearance processing must be prepared in Chinese to avoid delays and expedite clearance processing.
By following these tips and guidelines, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience when declaring your smoked salmon or other food products at customs when entering Taiwan.