Travel Alert Abroad: Cash Under NT$290,000 & Prohibited Items Like Toy Guns and Mid-Autumn Mooncakes

▲ On average, countries stipulate that the cash you carry when traveling abroad should be less than NT$290,000 (Photo / File photo)

By Shiao Wan-ning / Staff Reporter

Many people take advantage of the summer vacation to travel abroad and get some fresh air, but being stopped at customs can really put a damper on your trip. Yesterday, Shen Ching-ching, chairman of the Weijing Group, was stopped at customs for carrying HK$1 million (approximately NT$5 million) and had HK$919,000 confiscated.When traveling abroad, in addition to ensuring that the cash and securities you carry comply with the regulations of each country, you should also pay attention to what items you bring through customs. For example, the U.S. prohibits any meat products, while Japan does not allow pornographic magazines.Below is a summary of cash limits and prohibited items for several countries.

1. Japan
Upon entry, it is prohibited to bring books, magazines, or items with pornographic or indecent content, as well as any items that infringe on trademark intellectual property rights, such as counterfeit luxury goods. The cash, securities, or traveler's checks you carry must not exceed NT$1 million. Gold with a purity of 90% or higher must not exceed 1 kilogram. Duty-free items include 3 bottles of alcohol, 1 carton of cigarettes, individual items not exceeding NT$10,000 in value, and a total value not exceeding NT$200,000. Anything above this requires declaration.

2. Philippines
Bringing drugs to the Philippines can result in the death penalty. It is strictly forbidden to carry any items related to firearms, including toys such as water guns or toy guns. Fresh meat, live plants, and narcotics are also prohibited. Travelers entering or leaving the country must not carry more than PHP 10,000 (approximately NT$6,857) in cash, and foreign currency or securities must not exceed USD 10,000. Anything above this requires declaration.

▲ The quantity of medication you carry must also comply with regulations. (Illustration / File photo)
 

3. United States
The allowable limit for cash and securities (U.S. or foreign coins and banknotes, traveler’s checks, money orders, or negotiable securities) when entering or leaving the U.S. is USD 10,000 (approximately NT$298,900). Anything above this must be declared. Moreover, the U.S. prohibits the entry of meat products, including both fresh and dried types. Therefore, mooncakes with salted egg yolks or other fillings, as well as processed meat products like meat floss or jerky, commonly associated with Mid-Autumn Festival, are also not allowed.

4. Europe
When entering or exiting EU countries, if you are carrying more than EUR 10,000 (approximately NT$406,441) in cash or equivalent currency, you must declare it to customs. According to new regulations, EU customs authorities have the right to inspect travelers and their carry-on luggage. European countries generally prohibit similar items from being brought in or out, such as meat products, dairy products, and eggs—especially beef and beef products. In addition, various vegetables, fruits, fruit peels, plants, seeds, bird’s nests, shark fins, and meat products are all on the list of prohibited items.

▲ Even bringing mooncakes abroad during the Mid-Autumn Festival requires attention to whether they violate the regulations of the destination country. (Photo / File photo)

5. New Zealand
Items such as ivory in any form, turtle or tortoise shell products, medicinal musk, rhinoceros horn, or tiger products; any products made from whalebone or other marine animal bones; cat fur or fur coats are all prohibited. Any agricultural products may be brought in after declaring them for quarantine. Family pets are strictly restricted from entry. Carrying more than NZD 10,000 (approximately NT$261,289) in cash, securities, or traveler’s checks requires declaration.