Want China Times, CNA 2015-07-15
The captured raw elephant ivory on display at the Taoyuan International Airport, July 14. (Photo/CNA) |
Customs
officers at Taiwan's main airport on Monday confiscated 5.6 kg of undeclared
raw elephant ivory that was brought into the country by a Taiwanese woman
returning from Hong Kong.
The woman,
who arrived at Taoyuan International Airport on a Cathay Pacific Airways
flight, was carrying 120 pieces of raw ivory hidden in peanut candy packages in
her checked luggage, Taipei Customs Office said.
Such ivory
is usually used to make name stamps, the office said, adding that the 5.6 kg of
ivory was confiscated because its importation was in violation of the Wildlife
Conservation Act.
Violation
of the law carries a penalty of six months to five years in prison and a fine
of NT$300,000-$1.5 million (US$9,658-$48,300), the customs office said.
The woman
said she was unaware of the law and had been asked by a friend to bring the
packages to Taiwan.
According
to Article 24 of the Act, the import or export of live wildlife or Protected
Wildlife products is not allowed without the approval of the national principle
authority.
In
accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the import or export of protected wildlife
species or products requires prior approval by the Council of Agriculture, an
export permit or certificate issued by the country of origin, and an import
permit issued by Taiwan's Bureau of Foreign Trade.
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