Kinmen Seizes Chinese Smuggled Food; Man Suspected of Collecting and Reselling Traveler Goods
Numerous smuggled Chinese food items, including dried mushrooms and snail noodles, were seized in Kinmen. A man is under investigation for allegedly collecting legal food imports from travelers for resale, raising concerns about food safety and agricultural risks.
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- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 14:20
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 15:00 (40 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 12:26 (285h 26m after Collected)
The Kaohsiung Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance announced that on March 19th, in conjunction with Kinmen County Police Bureau and other units, a large quantity of Chinese smuggled goods was discovered in a warehouse in Jincheng Township, Kinmen County. The seized items included 124 kilograms of dried shiitake mushrooms and over 1490 kilograms of food products such as snail noodles, Jiangxi rice noodles, and stall-bought crispy rice crackers.
Kaohsiung Customs informed CNA reporters that Mr. Chen allegedly collected legally declared, limited quantities of Chinese agricultural products and foodstuffs from travelers after they entered via the "mini-three-links" route, and subsequently engaged in alleged illegal resale. This involves violations of the Customs Anti-Smuggling Act, the Food Safety and Health Administration Act, and other regulations.
Kaohsiung Customs stated that an administrative investigation is currently underway, and if criminal responsibility is involved, the case will be transferred for prosecution.
Kaohsiung Customs issued a press release today stating that Mr. Chen's actions are suspected of altering the purpose from tax-exempt personal use. Furthermore, uninspected Chinese-made food products may contain excessive pesticides, preservatives banned in Taiwan, artificial colors, illegal sweeteners, or excessive heavy metals. Their production processes and storage environments are unknown, posing a risk of irreversible health damage to the public.
Kaohsiung Customs added that unquarantined Chinese agricultural products are highly likely to carry foreign pests and diseases into the country, severely threatening Taiwan's agricultural ecology and industrial development.
Kaohsiung Customs reiterated its commitment to continue intercepting smuggled Chinese agricultural products and unapproved Chinese-made food items at the border, and to conduct cross-agency market investigations as needed. They urge the public not to purchase food products with unclear labeling or of unknown origin. (Editor: Li Xizhang) 1150408
Kaohsiung Customs informed CNA reporters that Mr. Chen allegedly collected legally declared, limited quantities of Chinese agricultural products and foodstuffs from travelers after they entered via the "mini-three-links" route, and subsequently engaged in alleged illegal resale. This involves violations of the Customs Anti-Smuggling Act, the Food Safety and Health Administration Act, and other regulations.
Kaohsiung Customs stated that an administrative investigation is currently underway, and if criminal responsibility is involved, the case will be transferred for prosecution.
Kaohsiung Customs issued a press release today stating that Mr. Chen's actions are suspected of altering the purpose from tax-exempt personal use. Furthermore, uninspected Chinese-made food products may contain excessive pesticides, preservatives banned in Taiwan, artificial colors, illegal sweeteners, or excessive heavy metals. Their production processes and storage environments are unknown, posing a risk of irreversible health damage to the public.
Kaohsiung Customs added that unquarantined Chinese agricultural products are highly likely to carry foreign pests and diseases into the country, severely threatening Taiwan's agricultural ecology and industrial development.
Kaohsiung Customs reiterated its commitment to continue intercepting smuggled Chinese agricultural products and unapproved Chinese-made food items at the border, and to conduct cross-agency market investigations as needed. They urge the public not to purchase food products with unclear labeling or of unknown origin. (Editor: Li Xizhang) 1150408