Bringing back shrimps from Thailand

[Navanod]

Below is the text taken from Singapore Custom (http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/tr...ited+Goods.htm)
Maybe it does not apply to Shrimp?

"You need to present an import permit or authorization form from the relevant controlling authorities before you can bring into Singapore controlled goods. Please produce the goods and the import permit or authorization form to the checking officer at the Red Channel.
Please refer to the tables below for information on controlled or prohibited goods. You may wish to visit the website of the relevant authorities for more details."

This falls under AVA and applies to all livestock, including shrimps.

Is the shrimps a confirm? From the website, the 30 rule seems to apply to ornamental fishs. Invertebrates belong to fish? If not, it seems silly to declare to customs and end up get fine.

As stated on AVA's website:
http://www.ava.gov.sg/AnimalsPetSect...rnamentalFish/

Ornamental fish refers to the ornamental varieties of marine, brackish water or fresh water fishes, crustacea, aquatic mollusca, turtles, marine sponges, trepang and any other form of aquatic life and the young and eggs thereof. It excludes fish and fish products intended for human consumption.

I once saw on another post that someone emailed AVA and confirmed the policy, printed the email and show it to custom officers during declaration. You may want to do the same thing.

You may be referring to this?
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...810#post601810

If order online and ship in from overseas, sometimes if the custom detects, they will send to AVA to handle. You will need to go down to settle. But I belieave there are many bros ship in before but better to fly there and hand carry back as ship in stress the shrimps and might have some casualties as long as not more than 30pcs then it is good to go.

I'm afraid that shipping in livestock without an import permit and licence is not legal and those doing it are trying their luck. AVA may refuse to release the animal.


Here's some info from AVA's FAQ that are relevant to this topic:

3. Can a home hobbyist apply for an AVA licence to import or export ornamental fish?
The AVA licence is issued only to traders with a government-approved premises (e.g. a farm) with facilities set up according to the licence conditions. A home hobbyist is unlikely to have the resources to set up the commercial facilities required by the licence for import or export of ornamental fish.


4. Can I bring ornamental fish into Singapore?
A traveller may import up to 30 fish in not more than 3 litres of water or a mixture of the different varieties of ornamental aquatic organisms provided it does not exceed 5kg in total weight and must be within a traveller's limit for the various items. For details, please refer to AVA website at www.ava.gov.sg


5. What are AVA's import procedures for hobbyists who wish to import fishes for fish shows?
A hobbyist who wishes to import fishes for competitions in fish shows may use the allowance given for a traveller to bring in fish. In cases where the import quantity exceeds the traveller's allowance, the hobbyist would need to approach the show organizer for an arrangement with AVA's Ornamental Fish Section (Tel: 6751 9802) to bring in fishes for the fish shows.

[bennyc]

Thanks Navanod! For answering my doubts. I believe this is very enlighting to those who tend to bring in shrimp from overseas.

[xuan87]

Yesterday I emailed AVA for more clarification because I felt that it was abit strange if they allow you to bring in 30 pieces of fish by luggage but not by post and below is their reply:

The import of ornamental fish into Singapore via the courier services such as Fedex or DHL, requires an ornamental fish import permit from the AVA, which is normally granted to licensed importer and export of ornamental fish.

Alternatively, you may import these fishes via parcel post, provided the total quantity to be imported in the consignment is not more than 30 pieces of ornamental fish (except koi and endangered species) in not more than 3 litres of packing water, whichever is less, per person per shipment into Singapore for personal keeping without the need to apply for an import licence.

Upon arrival the parcel of fishes will first be delivered to the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore at Sembawang Research Station,Lorong Chencharu 17 km Sembawang Road, Singapore 769194 for verification. You will then be contacted to pick up these fishes from Sembawang Research Station after verifications are completed.

We wish to remind you that these fishes are to be imported for the purposes of personal keeping only. You are required to apply for licence to import and export ornamental fish if the fish are imported on regular basis for local sales. The AVA will consider enforcement action against any importer who imports ornamental fish for local sale without a licence.

Please also note that the individual permissible limit cannot be combined for the import of ornamental fish via parcel post.

Yes! This means I can buy shrimps online! I feel this thread or at least some information on it should be made sticky for bros looking to bring in shrimps from overseas.

[avex30]

So base on the ava reply what will be the consequences if someone is proven flipping on fish not shrimps. I think is time to find out!

[Navanod]

Intriguing, I cannot find this alternative allowance in AVA's website. Do you have the name of the officer?

[Navanod]

Ok, based on key words, I've searched AVA's database and found the same info in their newsletter archives.

http://www.ava.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/0...12_LRlower.pdf

According to the newsletter, this is a relatively new ruling that came into effect in July 2011.

Import of Ornamental Fishes (except CITES/Koi) via Parcel Posts
In late 2010, AVA reviewed the import of ornamental fish delivered by parcel posts. As the majority of imports of ornamental fishes via parcel posts into Singapore were within the permissible allowance given for travellers and were mainly for personal use, AVA removed the need for such imports to be subjected to requirements imposed for commercial imports. The current import allowance given for travellers to bring in ornamental fish was extended to imports via parcel posts on 1 July 2011.

So base on the ava reply what will be the consequences if someone is proven flipping on fish not shrimps. I think is time to find out!

I'm not able to find the penalties for people who imports fishes for commercial reasons without a valid licence. For the purpose of AVA's guidelines, shrimps are considered the same as fishes.

I've found some info that may be of interest.
http://www.ava.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/0...hRules2011.pdf
Note that this is just for importing without a valid import permit. This does not include the penalty for importing without being a valid licence holder with approved premises.

Prohibition of import or export of live fish without permit

4.
(1) No licensee shall import any live fish for sale, supply or distribution in Singapore unless —
(a) the licensee has obtained a permit from the Director-General in respect of each consignment of live fish to be imported by him and the import of each such consignment is carried out in accordance with the conditions of the permit; and
(b) the whole consignment conforms to the description as contained in the permit.

(2) No licensee shall export any live fish from Singapore to any country, territory or place unless —
(a) the licensee has obtained a permit from the Director-General in respect of each consignment of live fish to be exported by him and the export of each such consignment is carried out in accordance with the conditions of the permit; and
(b) the whole consignment to be exported conforms to the description as contained in the permit.

(3) Any licensee who contravenes paragraph (1) or (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.

[Spid]

Even if its okay for people to ship 30 pieces of shrimps in via parcel, the time journey accompany by the stress involved during the shipment will definitely weaken the shrimps.

Given the competitive price, might as well purchase good local source.

[avex30]

Thanks Nav Ya gave a call to enquire about it also. Just gotten to check one more thing with him whether a person break any law of Ava if they bring in pet food to sell. Without a proper license shall do it on Monday. Thanks for the double confirmation Nav.