Buying livestock while travelling overseas

**Memnoch** · 12th Jul 2006, 16:19

I’ve been thinking for a while about buying fishes while travelling overseas (read Thailand, Indonesia, etc) and bringing them back into Singapore. I note that certain species such as the arrowana are endangered and/or protected under Singapore and other laws, but what about common aquarium fishes, shrimps and while we are at that, plants?

Does anyone know if there are any customs or quarantine requirements that may make it not worth our trouble? Many years back, I did notice at the Malaysian/Thailand border that they arrested some guy who was caught trying to bring luo han fishes into Malaysia from Thailand…

**vinz** · 12th Jul 2006, 17:19

Go search in the AVA website. I remember reading somewhere that you are allowed to carry in 50 pieces of ornamental fishes as long as there are not protected, endangered, etc.

**Justikanz** · 12th Jul 2006, 17:26

Check the CITES list too.

I think AVA guidelines are 20 (or is it 50) fish in 2 litres of water... Check their website for their information...

**kemp** · 13th Jul 2006, 10:35

you can refer to this
http://www.ava.gov.sg/AnimalsPetSect.../index.htm#faq

**hwchoy** · 13th Jul 2006, 10:50

I thought is 50 pieces in max 3 litres of water.

**kemp** · 13th Jul 2006, 12:04

But the AVA websites stated, 5kg in total. Never state how many fish allow. But i guess as long as it doesn't exceed 5kg, should be ok i guess?

**hwchoy** · 13th Jul 2006, 12:06

last time not like this leh. you sure 5kg is for fish?

**Justikanz** · 13th Jul 2006, 13:35

Question : Can I bring ornamental fish into Singapore?

Answer : A traveller may hand carry a mixture of the different varieties of ornamental aquatic organisms provided it must not exceed 5kg in total weight and must be within a traveller's limit for the various items.

Hmm... They changed the rules... Oops... This is the travellers' limit on fish:

30 pieces packed in not more than 3 litres of water per person per trip, subject to a maximum of 60 pieces in not more than 6 litres of water per car (2 or more persons in the car)

Do note that that is for freshwater fish not on CITES list.

**kemp** · 13th Jul 2006, 14:26

traveller's limits? Does it apply to us too?

**Justikanz** · 14th Jul 2006, 00:07

Well, you travel, right?...

**Gecko** · 14th Jul 2006, 20:32

Do note that not all airlines allow livestock onboard. So far, SQ has been troublefree for me.

**hwchoy** · 14th Jul 2006, 20:40

just don't be so obvious and make it difficult for the ground crew.

**Memnoch** · 13th Aug 2006, 19:26

I tried bringing some tetras from Bangkok last week in the hand carry, but was confiscated...

water plants also taken...

**cairocks** · 13th Aug 2006, 19:37

Originally Posted by Memnoch

I tried bringing some tetras from bkk last week in the hand carry, but ganna confiscated...

water plants also ganna taken...

Care to give some details? Confiscated on which side? By customs or by airlines?
Remembered reading from AVA website that bringing in 30 fishes in no more than 3 liters of water is ok, provided that the fish are not endangered just a few months ago. But Unable to locate that website now. Haiz....Not sure if there is a rule change.

**Memnoch** · 13th Aug 2006, 20:06

at the Bangkok customs side, just before boarding, the machine to scan the hand carry luggage... i told them that none of the fishes were endangered species, but anyway due too all the language barriers... and they were quite insistant that i cannot bring through...

perhaps its due to all the bird flu scare, thats why lifestock cannot anyhow bring... i had a quick look ex post facto on the regulations on the thailand side, it seems that need to get permit or something... too lecheh, next time just buy clothes

The flight is air asia.

**cairocks** · 13th Aug 2006, 20:13

Took Jetstar last time, think around May. Managed to bring back 5 bettas, which my HK friend that travelled with me later brought back to HK after a week stay in Singapore. Not sure if it is the recent 'liquid' scare in UK that made the Thai custom nervous about allowing on board your bags of fishes.

**benny** · 22nd Aug 2006, 18:06

Jetstar refuse carriage of one of our friends fish when in Taipei. Most carrier are quite strict about lifestock.

Cheers,

**Memnoch** · 16th Sep 2006, 00:04

Going to Shanghai soon.... Any interesting fish to look out for?

Am thinking of bringing fishes back again... maybe ship via post.... how does one go about doing it?

**tjh1995** · 16th Sep 2006, 08:23

Originally Posted by kemp

you can refer to this
http://www.ava.gov.sg/AnimalsPetSect.../index.htm#faq

Useful information.

**Memnoch** · 16th Sep 2006, 11:57

Well... we know all that already... apparently it only applies to the singapore side... dont think the china authorities will bother about what AVA says about your traveller's limits...

The experience in Bangkok (BKK) was that you will need a separate permit from the BKK side before you can take fish out of the country...

In any case, it's a hassle trying to figure out China's laws... so if get stop, just let them have it...

In the meantime... the question is... what interesting fishes not commonly found here, can be found in shanghai?

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