10 Weird Foreign Laws

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Sep 18, 2009, 8:22 am

Kalboz

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10 Weird Foreign Laws

Some foreign laws catch even travel junkies off guard. A correspondent, Bud Travel, is to demonstrate how to stay out of trouble—by getting into a heap himself. Watch the slide show!

http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-srv/g...ml?jumpToPic=0

Experienced any "weird" laws anywhere? Please share!

Last edited by Kalboz; Sep 18, 2009 at 9:18 am

Sep 18, 2009, 9:07 am

tjl

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Malaysia has a somewhat interesting list of prohibited items at customs:

http://www.customs.gov.my/index2.php...o_pdf=1&id=113

Sep 18, 2009, 10:02 am

stut

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Most of those don't strike me as particularly weird... The drugs one is very common - I hate not being able to buy codeine OTC, it's about the only thing that works on migraines for me!

Sep 18, 2009, 10:26 am

Loren Pechtel

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Quote:

Originally Posted by tjl

Malaysia has a somewhat interesting list of prohibited items at customs:

http://www.customs.gov.my/index2.php...o_pdf=1&id=113

Wow!

Pen, pencil, and other articles resembling syringes.

You can't write???

Sep 18, 2009, 12:44 pm

Ready2Go

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Quote:

Originally Posted by tjl

Malaysia has a somewhat interesting list of prohibited items at customs:

http://www.customs.gov.my/index2.php...o_pdf=1&id=113

"All genuses of Piranha fish."

I demand accommodation for my emotional support Piranha!

Sep 18, 2009, 1:01 pm

johnnybgood3

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Quote:

Originally Posted by tjl

Malaysia has a somewhat interesting list of prohibited items at customs:

http://www.customs.gov.my/index2.php...o_pdf=1&id=113

I recall a sign from the Singapore-Malaysia road checkpoint. Over the counter with all the pens and immigrations documents, there was a sign prohibiting things like long hair & people who looked like hippies, if I recall correctly. Anyone have a picture of that?

Sep 18, 2009, 1:19 pm

elusive1

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To be honest they all seem pretty reasonable or at least harmless. Notwithstanding, I am against law #1, as I believe all victimless crimes should be legal to all adult parties.

Sep 18, 2009, 1:33 pm

UnoriginalGuy

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I find "Poisonous chemical" to be too vague... Since one might argue that table salt, most bathroom products, batteries, etc could be poisonous if consumed or consumed in excess.

Sep 18, 2009, 2:12 pm

DJ Bitterbarn

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Sure, we were aware there's probably a law about pennies, but the problem was when the guy paying 7 bucks in pennies wrapped them in packing tape.

But he worked there, too, so we let it slide. We knew where to find him.

Sep 18, 2009, 3:14 pm

#10

crabbing

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is it still illegal to kiss in public in korea?

i'd also be curious to know what US laws foreign travelers find strange.

Sep 18, 2009, 4:18 pm

#11

codex57

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Quote:

Originally Posted by elusive1

To be honest they all seem pretty reasonable or at least harmless. Notwithstanding, I am against law #1, as I believe all victimless crimes should be legal to all adult parties.

I think that's more of a taxes/money issue than moral.

Sep 18, 2009, 5:06 pm

#12

PhlyingRPh

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Quote:

Originally Posted by crabbing

is it still illegal to kiss in public in korea?

i'd also be curious to know what US laws foreign travelers find strange.

Jaywalking. I get warned for doing it at least once every couple of years. A stupid law, IMO.

Sep 18, 2009, 5:21 pm

#13

rwsatl

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Come on Canada - no U turns....every other US state allows them

Sep 18, 2009, 5:38 pm

#14

tjl

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Quote:

Originally Posted by PhlyingRPh

Jaywalking. I get warned for doing it at least once every couple of years. A stupid law, IMO.

Most people probably don't know what "jaywalking" is actually illegal.

Sep 18, 2009, 5:49 pm

#15

Flaflyer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnybgood3

there was a sign prohibiting things like long hair & people who looked like hippies, if I recall correctly. Anyone have a picture of that?

There was one like it at Penang PEN airport a few years ago last time I was there. I am not sure I had the guts to sneak a picture of it. After all, in a country where everything is banned, I just have to assume that taking a picture of the list of prohibited items is also prohibited.

The one that might trip up lots of FFs is the MY prohibition on radios that receive 108-174 MHZ. That's the aviation radio band then public service(usualy police/firetrucks), and many multi-band travel radios include it. Aviation fans like FTers are most likely to own one. Travel safe.

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