Reliable Transport & Logistic Services Pte Ltd, an importer of fresh fruits and vegetables, processed food products and food appliances, was fined $20,000 by the Court today for the illegal import of assorted food products such as meat and seafood from Indonesia.
The Director of the company, Hardinizam bin Khairuddin Muhammad, was also fined $15,000 for failing to exercise due diligence to prevent the offence from being committed.
Importer Reliable Transport & Logistic Services Pte was fined $20,000 by the Court today for the illegal import of…
Posted by Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on Wednesday, October 27, 2021
2 On 21 October 2020, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Changi Airfreight Centre, Air Cargo Command, detected consignments of “unknown meat products” imported by Reliable Transport & Logistic Services Pte Ltd from Indonesia without a valid import permit.
The case was referred to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) for subsequent investigation.
3 SFA’s investigation found that the company illegally imported approximately 735 kilograms of meat and seafood products, 10 kilograms of fresh fruits and vegetables and 503 kilograms of processed food products from Indonesia.
The illegal consignments were seized.
4 In Singapore, food imports must meet SFA’s requirements.
Food can only be imported by licensed importers, and every consignment must be declared and accompanied with a valid import permit.
Illegally imported food products are of unknown sources and can pose a food safety risk. In addition, meat and meat products can only be imported from accredited sources in approved countries that comply with Singapore’s food safety standards and requirements.
5 Offenders who import meat products illegally from unapproved sources are liable to a fine of $50,000 and/or imprisonment of up to two years and, in the case of a subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $100,000 and/or to imprisonment of up to three years.
Offenders who illegally import fresh fruits and vegetable without a permit are liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and/or to imprisonment of up to three years. In addition, offenders who illegally import processed food shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and in the case of a subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.
6 Safeguarding Singapore’s borders remains top priority for ICA. Similar concealment methods may also be used by terrorists to smuggle security items into Singapore.
ICA will continue to conduct security checks to detect and deter smuggling attempts, so as to keep Singapore safe. SFA will also continue to safeguard food safety through our integrated food safety system, which includes strict import regulations and enforcement, and work closely with border control agencies to deter illegal import across our borders.
Issued by SFA and ICA
27 October 2021
