Things Not To Bring When Going To Singapore

Singapore is a vast, exciting city to explore and is one of the most-visited urban areas of Asia. But for travelers planning a stay in the Garden City, there are some interesting and important facts to know before flying into Changi Airport.

When people go somewhere new, they are usually most excited about what new and exotic things they can bring home. When you’re off to Singapore, however, you’ll need to be aware of some things you can’t bring INTO the country. First and foremost are drugs – don’t even think about bringing any for your stay, as the country has incredibly strict drug laws and still has a death penalty for traffickers. It is also a criminal offense to have any drug in your system, even if it was not consumed in the island nation. There are cases of random urine tests right in the airport. Even poppy seeds, since they may contain trace amounts of morphine, are banned in the country.

Pornography is also something you shouldn’t be bringing to Singapore in any way, shape or form. Pirated DVDs and CDs will earn you quite a fine, sometimes up to $1000. Some video games have also been banned, mainly for violent content, and there is an extensive system for rating and approving foreign films. More interesting no-bring items include overhead wires, satellite dishes, freestanding billboards, toy walkie-talkies, gun-shaped cigarette lighters, and any type of handcuffs. Singapore also has a history of some censorship, including banning songs that have content deemed inappropriate. A memorable instance of this is the banning of 1963’s “Puff the Magic Dragon,” although more recently, Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl (and I Liked It)” wasn’t allowed on airwaves either. All Jehovah’s Witness and Unification Church publications are also banned.

Funnily enough, chewing gum is still technically illegal in Singapore, although customs officials usually won’t make a fuss about a pack or two. Gum was banned in 1992 after escalating problems with littering and even issues with the sticky substance causing delays on the new MRT train system. As of 2004, you can now bring “therapeutic” gum, such as teeth-whitening gum or gum to help quit smoking, as long as you’ve got a note from your pharmacist. If you try to bring a retail-size quality, i.e. a medium-sized box, there is a possibility of getting hit with a one-year stay in prison. Another thing to remember if you’ve got kids in tow is that quite a few Singaporean restaurants, even casual and mid-range eateries, have banned children under 13. It’s probably a good idea to call ahead and check the child policy if you’re planning to eat anywhere in particular. Durian, the famously nasty-smelling fruit found across much of Asia, is also banned on public transportation in Singapore. Most tourists will probably feel just fine about that rule if they’ve ever smelled a durian.

Despite and because of its quirks, Singapore is an amazing place to visit. Just remember to look over banned item lists before you head there, and, if necessary, make some quick and easy changes to your packing list.

Things Not To Bring When Going To Singapore