Gu Nan was fined $12,000 by the Court today for illegally importing assorted meat products and processed food.  

2.          On 7 February 2022, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Ports Command detected anomalies in the scanned images of a consignment carrying assorted cargoes. ICA officers uncovered food products that were imported without a valid import permit.

3.          The case was then referred to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). SFA’s investigation found and seized more than 200kg of assorted meat products and processed food illegally imported from China.

Illegally imported food products detected in the consignment (Photo: SFA)

4.          In Singapore, food imports must meet SFA’s requirements. Illegally imported food products of unknown sources can pose a food safety risk. Food can only be imported by licensed importers, and every consignment must be declared and accompanied with a valid import permit. In addition, meat and its products can only be imported from accredited sources in approved countries that comply with our food safety standards and requirements.

5.          Offenders who import meat products illegally from unapproved sources or found in possession of meat products for the purpose of selling, which were imported without a valid licence, shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 and/or imprisonment of up to two years. In the case of a subsequent conviction, offenders shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000 and/or imprisonment of up to three years. In addition, offenders who illegally import processed food shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and in the case of a subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

6.          Safeguarding Singapore’s borders remains a top priority for ICA. ICA will continue to conduct security checks to detect and deter illegal importation attempts so as to keep Singapore safe. SFA will continue to safeguard food safety through our integrated food safety system, which includes strict import regulations and enforcement, and work closely with border control agencies to deter illegal import across our borders.

SINGAPORE FOOD AGENCY
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
3 MAY 2023