Bringing Japanese Beef to Singapore: What You Need to Know
When travelling abroad, one of the concerns many have is about the regulations surrounding bringing food items into another country. Especially when it comes to items like vegetables, fruits, and meats, the rules can be quite strict and vary from country to country.
Now, for those heading to Singapore, there's good news: you can bring Japanese meat! With an aim to boost Japanese tourism and spread the allure of Wagyu beef in Singapore, meat imports to the island nation have been approved, but only from Japan.
Did You Know You Can Bring Japanese Meat to Singapore?
According to the Animal Quarantine Service, a division within Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, travellers can bring Japanese beef and pork for personal consumption (like souvenirs) to Singapore. Here's the relevant page from the Animal Quarantine Service.
However, there are specific rules you must follow
Conditions for Exporting/Bringing Meat:
- Limit to 5kg per person (this includes beef, beef products, pork, and pork products).
- It must be a product available for sale in Japan.
- Must be of Japanese origin (even if the product says “domestically produced,” if foreign meat was used, you cannot export it).
- Meat must be directly brought from Japan to Singapore for personal consumption (this includes transport via international mail or international parcel delivery).
While there are a few conditions, the most crucial points are that the quantity must be under 5kg, and it's meant for personal consumption.
How to Bring the Meat:
To bring the meat, you will need an export quarantine certificate. There are two main ways to get this:
- Obtain the certificate at the animal quarantine office at the airport.
- Purchase products that already have the certificate attached.
Given the hustle and bustle at airports and the unpredictability of queues, the Animal Quarantine Service recommends the second option.
With the certificate in hand, you can bring the meat as either checked luggage or hand luggage on your flight to Singapore. No additional fees are required, other than potential fees for extra checked luggage.
Where to Purchase Meat with an Export Certificate:
Given that not many butchers have the permit for export, and that not many are aware of the permission to bring meat into Singapore, it's hard to find shops offering such certified products.
Here at GOZZO, we sell Hida beef from Yamatake Shouten, a store with extensive experience from rearing to selling, complete with the required export certification.
Our beef is vacuum-packed and remains fresh, ensuring you get the highest quality when bringing it into Singapore.
What to Do & Watch Out For at the Airport:
If you've purchased meat with an export certificate, there's very little you need to do at the airport. You can check it in like any other luggage. If security checks your baggage, showing them the certificate should suffice.
However, one thing to note is that you cannot bring cooling agents as hand luggage. They might be removed during security checks. So, if you can't keep the meat cool after arriving, it's best to check it in.
So, what do you think? While bringing Wagyu from Japan to Singapore is allowed, the practice isn't widespread, possibly due to the effects of the pandemic. Why not consider Japanese Wagyu as a unique souvenir for your next trip to Singapore?
