Raw meat banned on SoKor flights
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday announced that Filipino travelers should refrain from bringing raw and processed animal products to South Korea as the country prohibits these products and must be declared to Korean authorities.
The Foreign Affairs department said that the ban is “to prevent the spread of highly-infectious diseases, such as African swine fever, foot and mouth disease, and highly pathogenic avian influenza, under South Korea’s Contagious Animal Diseases Prevention Act.”
In a statement, the DFA enumerated that the prohibited items include raw meat, processed meat, canned meat, eggs and poultry products, milk and dairy products, pet food and supplies. Those in possession of banned items must report or declare it at the quarantine office of the port of entry.
According to the DFA, violators and travelers who fail to report carrying animal products at airports and seaports could be fined up to KRW 10,000,000 (or about P428,571) and failure to pay the fine could result in prohibition from entering South Korea or denial of visa extension.
South Korea enforced this regulation in June 2019.
“All Filipinos entering South Korea as visitors, workers, or residents are advised to refrain from bringing restricted items in their hand carried or checked-in luggage,” the DFA said. “All hand-carried and checked-in luggage of passengers are subjected to security screening at the airport terminals.”