Kaohsiung Customs (KHC) indicated that following acknowledgement by World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), Taiwan restored its status as self-declared African Swine Fever (ASF)-free area on April 6, 2026. However, as the global ASF threat remains severe, meat products such as rice dumplings, sausages, and pork jerky – whether brought in by inbound passengers, purchased through cross-border e-commerce, or mailed by friends or family abroad – are all regulated quarantine items under Article 5 of the Act on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases and are strictly prohibited from import. Customs continues to intensify border enforcement on meat products and urges the public to abide by relevant regulations to avoid penalties.

KHC further stated that all inbound postal parcels are currently subject to 100% X-ray inspection, supplemented by scent detection by quarantine detector dogs. Therefore, the public is urged to contact overseas senders in advance to confirm that parcels do not contain the aforementioned pork products upon learning that a package is being sent from abroad, regardless of whether the items are for personal use, gifts, purchasing agency service, samples, or commercial sale.

KHC advises the public to visit ASF Information Section on the official website of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency, Ministry of Agriculture (www.aphia.gov.tw/en/) or the Customs Anti-ASF Section on the official website of the Customs Administration (https://web.customs.gov.tw/en/multiplehtml/3345) for any ASF-related inquiries to avoid inadvertent legal violations and penalties.