Singapore - Entering Singapore from Amsterdam

Hello all, I have an upcoming trip to Amsterdam and Singapore. While I am in Amsterdam, I will likely visit the coffee shops, but I won't do anything stupid like try to bring drugs outside the country. I am then flying to Singapore, and have heard of some very strict drug laws, such as the airport giving a drug test, and just having it in your blood is illegal. Do I have anything to worry about? Would it take some bigger discovery (than simply arriving from AMS) to trigger a drug test?

Thanks

Yes, you've never seen the photos of the lines of people waiting just pass passport control to take the pee test? ;).

I wouldn't worry. Yes, drug use is illegal, and testing positive for a drug test is grounds for convictions. However, you won't be subject to a drug screening unless you give the police sufficient grounds to require one of you.

If you arrive and are still high then you can be arrested, and this will then be treated as if you got high here in Singapore (and not in Amsterdam) so it's a big no-no.

Now if this is something you did some days ago and are not under the influence any more in any way then it shouldn't be a problem unless you are a citizen/PR.

If you arrive and are still high then you can be arrested, and this will then be treated as if you got high here in Singapore (and not in Amsterdam) so it's a big no-no.

Now if this is something you did some days ago and are not under the influence any more in any way then it shouldn't be a problem unless you are a citizen/PR.


Still high after a flight from Amsterdam? 12.5 hr + ~3 hr pre-flight at AMS (at least) = 15.5hr. That's some *really* good stuff ;)

If they happen to have drug dogs checking your luggage (not unlikely for a flight coming in from AMS) the dog may detect the smell on the clothes you wore to the coffee shop. So make sure that you really are clean. Don't THC metabolites stay in the urine for a couple of days?

Well my flight won't be arriving from Amsterdam. I go AMS-ZRH-BKK-SIN. My clothes will be clean, but the fact that it can stay in fat cells up to a month (depending on usage) is why I was a little worried. It sounds like I will be fine. I arrive on New Year's Eve, so I am really hoping arrival is quick so we can get to the hotel and whatever New Year's festivities we choose to attend.

but the fact that it can stay in fat cells up to a month

I don't think this is a problem for anyone other than citizens or PRs, who are NOT allowed to smoke weed even when travelling abroad in a country like Holland where it is allowed.

You might want to double-check this though somewhere like the forums at singaporeexpats.com just to make sure.

I don't think this is a problem for anyone other than citizens or PRs, who are NOT allowed to smoke weed even when travelling abroad in a country like Holland where it is allowed.
Singapore law makes no such distinctions -- it's illegal to possess drugs in Singapore, period, and that includes your bloodstream.

However, as other posters have already said, there's virtually zero chance you'll get a blood test at Customs -- I lived in Singapore for 7+ years and never even heard of this actually happening to anybody I know, and my colleagues and friends were a very heavily travelled bunch. In fact, I rather suspect random Custom blood tests are a bit of an urban legend spawned by the fact that if you're arrested by police for (eg.) drunk driving, and they test you and find drugs, you'll get charged for that as well.

Might be moot as the Netherlands has legislated to ban all foreigners from coffee shops. Amsterdam tried to secure an exemption but failed.

Might be moot as the Netherlands has legislated to ban all foreigners from coffee shops. Amsterdam tried to secure an exemption but failed.

I have been following that development. It won't take effect until next year at the earliest.