A man was charged on Wednesday with importing 21 puppies without a licence and subjecting them to unnecessary suffering.

Koh Cheow Chuan, 28, a sales representative, allegedly hid seven pugs, 13 pomeranians and a pomeranian-cross in a spare tyre compartment in the boot of his car on Nov 20 last year.

He was caught at the Woodlands checkpoint at 11.55am for bringing in the animals from Malaysia without a licence.

His lawyer Yap Sue Jen asked for the case to be adjourned to take instructions from him.

Koh will appear in court again on June 12.

If convicted, he could be fined up to $10,000 and/or jailed for up to 12 months on each charge.