When importing live, fresh or frozen oysters, please confirm whether the goods are subject to import controls to protect your own rights.

Keelung Customs stated that in order to ensure that imported live, fresh or frozen oysters (oysters and cories) can pass through customs smoothly, operators must carefully confirm the specifications (such as shell length) and scientific name of the incoming goods before importing them to determine whether the incoming goods are subject to import controls. The import of some oysters is subject to the control of the Wildlife Conservation Act (hereinafter referred to as the Wildlife Conservation Act). If the import is reported without the prior consent of the Marine Affairs Council (hereinafter referred to as the Marine Affairs Council), the central authority in charge of marine wildlife conservation, it may violate the Act and cause the goods to be unable to pass customs, affecting their own rights and interests.

Keelung Customs explained that when Customs conducts border inspections, it not only follows trade regulations, but also includes other relevant laws and import control requirements. For imported live, fresh or frozen oysters (oysters, mussels), in addition to being classified into different commodity classification codes according to shell length and subject to corresponding trade regulations and import controls, if the species also falls within the scope of the Wildlife Protection Act, the import of the species must comply with the dual control provisions of both trade regulations and the Wildlife Protection Act before it can be imported.

Keelung Customs further explained that, taking the shell length of less than 2 cm, the commodity classification number is 0307.11.10.00-5 "oyster (oyster, oyster) seedlings" as an example, looking at the Customs Import Tariff Import and Export Commodity Classification Table, although the input regulations column under the commodity classification number column (CCC Code) is blank, according to the instructions for use of the import and export regulations column in the bound volume, the import of marine wild animals listed in the Wildlife Conservation Act is subject to "other relevant import regulations" and must still comply with the control regulations of the Wildlife Conservation Act before they can be imported. Pursuant to Article 24 of the Wildlife Protection Act and Point 2 of the "Key Points for Review of the Import and Export of Live Marine Wildlife and Its Products", the import of marine wildlife is approved on a case-by-case basis in principle, with exceptions such as specific species that can be imported directly with approval through a general process. According to the announcement of the Maritime Affairs Commission, the "List of General Marine Wildlife Species Permitted for Import" only lists the scientific names of the species "Crassostrea gigas" and "Saccostrea glomerata" for oysters. In other words, except for the two species mentioned above, imported oyster seed with a shell length of less than 2 cm, other species still need to apply for approval from the Maritime Affairs Commission on a case-by-case basis before they can be imported.

Keelung Customs once again emphasized that before reporting the import of oysters, operators must confirm the size and correct scientific name of the incoming goods and declare them truthfully in order to speed up customs clearance and avoid penalties for violations.

If operators have questions about whether a specific oyster species falls within the scope of import control under the Wildlife Conservation Act, they can contact the Marine Conservation Administration of the Ocean Affairs Council or refer to its official website (website : https://www.oca.gov.tw ) "Home>Services for You>Marine Wildlife Business Application" for relevant instructions. If you have any questions about the import clearance procedures, please contact Keelung Customs to ensure smooth import operations.

Contact: Mr. Guan Zhuo, Bali Branch Tel: (02) 86305427 ext. 110