Entering Singapore from Amsterdam
May 21, 2012, 2:13 pm
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2011
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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
Thanks
May 22, 2012, 2:06 am
#2
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 107
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.
.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.
May 22, 2012, 2:32 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
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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.
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.
May 22, 2012, 9:13 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 107
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.
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
May 23, 2012, 12:16 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Singapore
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Posts: 588
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?
May 23, 2012, 3:42 pm
#6
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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.
May 23, 2012, 8:20 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2009
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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.
You might want to double-check this though somewhere like the forums at singaporeexpats.com just to make sure.
May 29, 2012, 6:22 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Terra Australis Cognita
Posts: 5,350
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.
May 31, 2012, 7:32 am
#10
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Feb 15, 2019, 10:47 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HKG/ SIN
Posts: 203
At least for Singapore citizens and PRs, they apparently can (and do?) enforce this
SINGAPORE — Amid reports that Singapore’s neighbours could legalise marijuana for medical use as early as next year, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) reiterated its tough stance on drugs on Friday (Oct 26).Any citizen or permanent resident found to have abused controlled drugs overseas will be treated as if he or she had abused drugs in Singapore, the bureau said.The CNB conducts enforcement checks at Singapore’s checkpoints and will take action against those found to have consumed drugs overseas, it added.
https://www.todayonline.com/singapor...-legalise-drug
SINGAPORE — Amid reports that Singapore’s neighbours could legalise marijuana for medical use as early as next year, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) reiterated its tough stance on drugs on Friday (Oct 26).Any citizen or permanent resident found to have abused controlled drugs overseas will be treated as if he or she had abused drugs in Singapore, the bureau said.The CNB conducts enforcement checks at Singapore’s checkpoints and will take action against those found to have consumed drugs overseas, it added.
https://www.todayonline.com/singapor...-legalise-drug
Feb 16, 2019, 12:49 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,675
The Singapore Law Minister said a few days ago that ‘It’s bunkum’: Shanmugam on pharma claims about cannabis for medical use. Which implies they still take anything related to cannabis very seriously.
Just be sensible. There's nothing stopping you doing what is legal in Amsterdam and then going to Singapore.
I have never flown your slightly unusual routing.
If you are flying Bangkok to Singapore, there is an outside chance they screen the all passengers from that flight for drugs. They often do it from Bali, where they cordon off an area just outside the gate and passengers get all their belongings screened.
Just be sensible. There's nothing stopping you doing what is legal in Amsterdam and then going to Singapore.
I have never flown your slightly unusual routing.
If you are flying Bangkok to Singapore, there is an outside chance they screen the all passengers from that flight for drugs. They often do it from Bali, where they cordon off an area just outside the gate and passengers get all their belongings screened.
Feb 17, 2019, 3:05 am
#14
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 107
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.
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.
actually a few years ago on the expat forums Aster mentioned, there was a Brit who was randomly screened coming back from Thailand. I believe they let him go home and then the next day contacted him to let him know they would not press charges, but his employment pass was cancelled with a 72 hour period to leave Singapore.