Under the craze of owning exotic pets, creatures with unique appearances, such as chameleons, tortoises, and endangered mammals, have become fashionable favorites. Unfortunately, due to commercial exploitation, they embark on a tragic journey and become popular smuggling items. This not only impacts the domestic ecological environment but also creates potential risks for the spread of infectious diseases, posing another safety concern. Customs Administration has stated that importing live animals without permission violates the Act on Wildlife Conservation, Act on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases, Foreign Trade Act, and Customs Anti－Smuggling Act, etc. Offenders could face a seven－year prison sentence and heavy fines. The public is urged not to defy the law.

Customs Administration explains that it collaborates closely with agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture （Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency, and Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency）, Ocean Affairs Council （the Ocean Conservation Administration）, and Ministry of Health and Welfare （the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control）. To safeguard public health, control the spread of infectious diseases, and protect wildlife, in cases of interception of illegally imported live animals at the border, Customs will notify the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency to assess the risk of disease transmission. Measures such as quarantine, environmental disinfection, and temporary detention of smuggled animals will be handled by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency accordingly. Protected animals that pass quarantine are transferred to facilities designated by the Ministry of Agriculture. For non－protected animals that do not require quarantine, Customs consults with the Ministry of Agriculture to arrange temporary housing at wildlife rescue centers or emergency shelters. If animals get sick or die due to zoonotic diseases during the period of customs’ detention, Customs will coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture to notify the Centers for Disease Control for quarantine measures for personnel involved.
Customs Administration further states that it frequently encounters cases where inbound travelers hide live animals on their persons to evade detection. To combat smuggling, Customs has consistently prioritized the crackdown on animal smuggling and targeted high－risk individuals through intelligence sharing, exchange, and cooperation with domestic and international enforcement agencies to jointly protect Taiwan’s ecological environment on the frontline.
Illegal trafficking of wildlife is a “global crisis.” Some highly priced, rare, and exotic animals, once illegally introduced, may end up in private breeding facilities to produce a second generation. These animals may seem fashionable and adorable while they are young. However, when they grow up, more living space is needed and their destructive power grows as well, resulting in a wave of abandonment when owners are unable to keep them. The lucrative black market for smuggled animals threatens the survival of certain species, disrupts ecological balance, and spreads zoonotic diseases, which harm our living environment. We appeal to all sectors of society to demonstrate greater responsibility and take action to raise awareness of animal protection, respect life, and reject smuggling.

Phone: （02）2550－5500 ext．2970