Woman fined $6,000 for smuggling 330 embryonated quail eggs into Singapore
A 29-year-old woman who imported 330 embryonated quail eggs into Singapore was fined $6,000 on Tuesday (20 November) under the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act.
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers detected the eggs in a box at Changi Airport and referred the case to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA). The eggs were found to contain developing quail embryos.
The maximum penalty for importing food products from unapproved sources is a fine of up to $50,000 and up to two years’ jail for a first offence. The maximum penalty for subsequent convictions is a fine of up to $100,000 and up to three years’ jail.
Reminder to travellers
In a joint news release, the AVA and ICA said the import of food including meat and eggs, and their products, are regulated for both food safety and animal health reasons, such as preventing bird flu.
The AVA and ICA reminded travellers not to bring food products into Singapore without a licence.
The public can refer to AVA’s website or its mobile app SG TravelKaki for more information on travellers’ allowances for food products from overseas.
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