Etiquette & taboos

Etiquette & taboos

Take five minutes to read this before you go. We sort local rules into three levels: red lines that are illegal or can get you refused entry, taboos that are legal but easily offend locals, and good manners that show respect. Every rule has a source and is marked as verified or not.

Red lineEntryIndia

India: e-cigarettes are banned

  • Leave your e-cigarette at home
  • Bringing an e-cigarette into India or buying one there

E-cigarettes and related products are banned in India.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: India travel advice

Red lineEntryIndia

India: no satellite phones or GPS devices without a permit

  • Before you leave, check whether your equipment needs a permit
  • Carrying a satellite phone or satellite navigation device without a permit (even in transit)

Illegal; you can be fined or arrested and the device confiscated. British tourists have been arrested for this.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: India travel advice

Red lineEntryEgypt

Egypt: no drones without a permit

  • Leave your drone at home
  • Bringing in or using a drone without Ministry of Defence permission

Up to 7 years in prison, or a fine of EGP 5,000 to 50,000.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Egypt travel advice

Red lineEntryTürkiye

Türkiye: don't buy or take away antiquities

  • Before buying old items, check whether they may be exported
  • Buying antiquities or taking them out of the country

Illegal; can bring a fine and 5 to 12 years in prison.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Turkey travel advice

Red lineEntryCanada

Canada: cannabis cannot cross the border

  • Learn the different cannabis rules in each province
  • Carrying cannabis across the border without Health Canada authorisation

Even if bought legally in Canada, taking it out of the country without authorisation will get you arrested.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Canada travel advice

Red lineEntryBrazil

Brazil: e-cigarettes are completely illegal

  • Leave your e-cigarette at home before you travel
  • Carrying e-cigarettes, pods or accessories

All e-cigarettes and accessories are illegal, and customs confiscate them from checked and hand luggage.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Brazil travel advice

Red lineEntryPeru

Peru: coca leaves and coca tea cannot be taken out of the country

  • Just drink coca tea while you are there
  • Taking coca leaves or coca tea out of Peru
  • Carrying luggage for someone else

Coca products may not be taken out of Peru; drug convictions bring long prison sentences.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Peru travel advice

Red lineEntryMexico

Mexico: carry your original passport and entry record

  • Carry your original passport with its entry stamp, or download your electronic entry record from the immigration website
  • Carrying only a copy or photo

Immigration officers do not accept copies; you may be questioned, detained or even deported.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Mexico travel advice

Red lineEntryMexico

Mexico: e-cigarettes may not be brought in or sold

  • Leave your e-cigarette at home before you travel
  • Bringing e-cigarettes or vape liquid into the country
  • Smoking or vaping in public places

Customs will confiscate them and may fine or detain you; smoking in public places can bring a fine of up to MXN 3,000.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Mexico travel advice

Red lineEntryVietnam

Vietnam: e-cigarettes are banned

  • Leave your e-cigarette at home before you travel
  • Bringing in or buying e-cigarettes

E-cigarettes and related products are banned.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Vietnam travel advice

Red lineEntryAustralia

Entering Australia: food, plant and animal products must be declared

  • Truthfully declare all food (even small, packaged snacks), plants and animal products on your arrival card
  • If in doubt, declare it
  • Bringing fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, seeds or wooden souvenirs without declaring them

You can be issued an infringement notice; your visa may be cancelled, you may be refused entry and barred from returning for up to 3 years.

Not yet verifiedSource: Australian Department of Agriculture: travelling to Australia

Red lineEntrySingapore

Singapore: chewing gum, e-cigarettes and littering

  • Clear chewing gum out of your luggage before arrival (except medical and dental gum approved by the Health Sciences Authority)
  • Put rubbish in the bin
  • Carrying or using e-cigarettes; bringing them in for personal use is also illegal
  • Littering

E-cigarettes are completely illegal; police can fine you on the spot for littering.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Singapore travel advice

Red lineEntryThailand

E-cigarettes are completely illegal in Thailand

  • Leave e-cigarettes, pods and e-liquids at home before you travel
  • Carrying or using e-cigarettes, pods, e-liquids or heated-tobacco devices

Confiscation, fines (usually THB 5,000–30,000), detention and prosecution; no exceptions for tourists or personal use.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice