TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Following an African swine fever outbreak in Taichung, all passengers arriving at Taiwan’s airports will have their hand luggage X-rayed for pork products, Health and Welfare Minister Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) said Thursday.

Previously, only travelers from countries with African swine fever outbreaks had to X-ray their hand luggage, while other arrivals received a green card allowing them to bypass checks.

The Customs Administration will no longer distinguish by origin country and will require all passengers to submit hand luggage for X-ray inspection, the Liberty Times reported. Shih explained the new measures to legislators Thursday.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency, the Customs Administration, and the Coast Guard Administration have launched a communication platform to share information about arriving travelers, containers, international mail packages, and fishing trawlers, the Ministry of Agriculture said. The measure is intended to improve the prevention and detection of smuggling, and kitchen waste from airplanes and cruise ships will also face more stringent checks.

From 2018 to Oct. 23, 2025, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency checked 9,511 items, with 997 testing positive. The pork products found originated from high-risk countries including China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia.