Singapore stops motorists attempting to smuggle bak kwa via Woodlands checkpoint

SINGAPORE: Two motorists attempted to smuggle bak kwa (dried meat) into Singapore through the Woodlands checkpoint over two days, said Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Thursday (Feb 8).

ICA said in a Facebook post that in both cases, the packets of bak kwa were concealed in pastry or cookie packaging.

"As Malaysia is not an approved country for the importation of meat products by travellers, the packets of bak kwa were disposed of," ICA said.

The authority added that the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) is conducting further investigations.

It reminded travellers that controlled items, such as bak kwa, are subjected to travellers' allowance from approved countries.

Livestock, meat and meat products can be imported only from sources that meet AVA's animal health and food safety standards, the post said.

Travellers are not allowed to bring in meat, meat products and eggs from Malaysia.

There are currently 21 AVA-approved countries, including Canada, Netherlands and the United States, for the import of pork and pork products to Singapore. - The Straits Times/Asia News Network