Help needed on transporting fishes back to singapore

[Solstice]

hi all,
high chance of me making a trip to either Japan(tokyo) or taiwan. Have read some article about fellow forum members thinking of buying fishes from abroad and bringing it back themselves. Likewise, i would love to do that also should i chance upon something i like. would love to have some information on how to pack and transport back to singapore. is there any restriction in japan/taiwan on export and singapore on import? i am interested mainly in apistogramma. so any kind advise would really help..many thanks in advance

[Aquanoob]

Go to AVA site for more information
http://www.ava.gov.sg/InformationFor...Fish/index.htm

[Solstice]

thanks for the reply,
got that information already,
but was thinking more in line towards how do they pack the fishes to ensure survival? i know we will have to check them in together with the luggage.
do we then put them in a box and packed it with foam to prevent excessive movement during transportation?
there is also some form of breathable bag available in the market, where can i get it?
how to seal the bag after putting the fish in?
anyone who has done this before please help
many thanks once again in advance

[copycat01]

Is it Legal????

[Ecalyte]

copycat01: as long as the fish that you're trying to bring into Singapore is not on the endangered species list, it's fine.

Solstice: Make sure that you tell the seller of your intention to bring it back to Singapore and request for your fish to be packed in breathing bags. If the seller is reputable and have had dealings with export/tourists before, you will just have to trust his packing. Put the packed fish into a styrofoam box. Just as a double safety net, you may use those luggage services at the airport where they will wrap your luggage in either a cardboard box or plastic.. I'm sure you've seen / used this service at the Singapore airport. Request for a bubble wrapper if they have so it will cushion the transport. Take note that even with the Fragile tag they may not treat it with so much care

[Solstice]

okie got that and thanks for the information ecalyte

[copycat01]

Just a quick on for information. Do we need to declare the fish when passing through custom?

[vannel]

Instead of a styrofoam box, you might want to consider something harder. Personally, I have brought shrimps back from TW using a Coleman tumbler. Those are really hard and also serves to provide adequate insulation for the trip back. Additionally, the tumblers are water-tight and will hold all the liquid within the interior in case the plastic packaging leaks.

As per the above post, on SG side, AVA states 30 livestock (non-endangered) or 3 litres of water per person, whichever maxes out first. You might want to check with the country you are buying the livestock from to see if they allow export of their livestock. I think, the usual stand is, if you bought the livestock, it should be okay. Just don't go catching your own from the wild.

Upon reaching SG and collecting your luggage, declare your livestock at the exit customs. If you don't declare and they select you for a spotcheck, the livestock will be confiscated. Should they query you on your purchases, just refer them to the AVA ruling.

[Solasido]

I once had an empty mineral water bottle in my cabin luggage. During the flight, as the pressure up there is low, the bottle really shrunk/compressed.
So, I think it is better to put the livestock with enough oxygen and seal them tight to protect them from extreme pressure.

I have a trip to Jakarta next week. Hmm.. may be if I can find Sulawesi shrimp, will try to bring some back to Singapore