These countries prohibit the use of sex toys!

We’ve all been there: you’re going on a nice trip to an exotic destination and you can’t wait to take your favourite sex toy with you. After all, what could be a better way to relax during a well-deserved break by spoiling yourself or your partner with your favourite toy? But before you throw your toy into your suitcase and set off, do read this blog. In some countries, the possession of sex toys is prohibited!

In general, you can take your sex toy with you anywhere in the world. Of course, you shouldn’t wave your toy around in public, but you can certainly use your vibrating friend abroad. In countries where sex toys are prohibited, there are generally strict (religious) rules to keep ‘obscene’ or ‘vulgar’ objects and images out of society. The penalties for breaking these rules vary from taking it away to serious prison sentences. So always check the rules of your destination first. Here’s a list of countries where your sex toys are not welcome.

Thailand

You might not expect this, given the country’s reputation for sex tourism, but in Thailand, both the sale and the possession of sex toys is completely illegal. If you get caught with a sex toy, you can even get up to 3 years in jail and a fine of 60,000 baht (£1,300). Our advice: leave your dildo or vibrator at home. In Bangkok, the illegal sale of sex toys is a booming business. They’re even sold on the street, especially in the red-light district, but sellers, owners and smugglers are regularly arrested by the police.

If you’re caught with a sex toy in Thailand, you can get up to 3 years in prison.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a country with extremely strict rules. For example, the consumption, manufacture, sale, or possession of alcohol is completely forbidden. The punishments for this range from temporary banishment (for foreigners) to imprisonment and whipping. Sex toys and pornography are looked at in the same way. All sex toys, objects that look like sex toys and pornographic books, magazines, videos etc. are banned from entering the country. Objects that look like sex toys, including massage devices, are also not accepted. Even photos of models in lingerie, bikini, or swimsuit are considered pornography. You really don’t want to risk getting caught with a sex toy here!

India

When it comes to sex toys, the rules in India are quite vague. Creating, publishing, and sharing pornography is illegal and can lead to imprisonment and heavy fines. However, watching pornography in your own home is allowed. Roughly the same goes for sex toys. They’re not explicitly forbidden, and you can use them in your own home, but displaying them, such as in a shop window or sharing pictures online, can be considered ‘obscene’ and forbidden by law. However, what falls under ‘obscene’ is a very grey area and varies from situation to situation and from person to person. But bringing your sex toy in your suitcase is always prohibited. So again, you can’t take your sex toys with you when you travel, because you definitely won’t get them through customs.

Did you know… In February 2021, the first legal sex shop in India was opened, but was quickly closed down again in March. Not because it was illegal, but because the head of the village wasn’t happy with the shop and closed it down as the owner didn’t have the ‘proper licence’.

Maldives

Maldives is the ultimate paradise on earth and of course a perfect destination for a honeymoon or a romantic holiday. But it’s better to leave all erotic products at home, as they’re not allowed. Sex toys fall under pornography in the Maldives and are therefore completely prohibited. If customs find sex toys in your suitcase, the consequences are usually manageable, but it’s still not pleasant. Your toys will most likely be confiscated, but there’s also a chance that they will send you back home. If you live in the Maldives, it’s a different story. In that case, you even risk a prison sentence if you have sex toys in your possession.

Vietnam

In Vietnam, it’s illegal to buy or import sex toys. This also applies to bringing a vibrator or dildo in your suitcase. Should customs find a sex toy in your suitcase, it’ll be confiscated immediately. Sex is a big taboo subject in Vietnamese society, but just like in Thailand, the import and sale of sex toys is booming business behind closed doors.

Did you know… In Japan, the production of ‘realistic looking’ sex toys is banned. Instead, companies are developing unusual sex toys in bright colours, such as vibrators with bold attachments in the shape of a dolphin, frog, or fish, dildos with ‘Hello Kitty’ shapes, or toys in a fluorescent colour. This allows them to easily circumvent the strict legislation.

United Arab Emirates

Hypermodern Dubai attracts millions of tourists every year. However, as a tourist, it’s better to leave your dildo, vibrator, or masturbator at home. Sex toys are strictly forbidden in the United Arab Emirates. As the owner of an erotic toy, you even risk an official prosecution.

Malaysia

While you’ll certainly find brothels and sex shops in Malaysia, they’re officially prohibited. Importing and possessing sex toys is also illegal. If you’re caught with ‘obscene objects’, as they’re called in the law, you risk a high fine or imprisonment.

United States

I hear you thinking: the United States? Surely sex toys can’t be banned there? That’s largely correct. If you travel to the US, you can take your favourite toy with you. But there are stricter laws in the states of Alabama and Texas. In Alabama, it’s illegal to buy or sell erotic products (unless you have a medical reason), but it’s not illegal to own sex toys. So in principle, you can take your sex toy with you when you travel to Alabama, but if you were planning to buy a new vibrating friend there, you’ll be disappointed.

In Texas, sex toys are not prohibited and buying and selling them is completely legal. However, there’s a law which states that you can’t have more than 5 sex toys in your possession. In theory, if you have 6 or more sex toys in your possession, you can get a prison sentence or a large fine. This law is so controversial that, in practice, you won’t have the police standing at your door even if your bedside table is overflowing.

Have you ever taken a sex toy to a country where it was illegal?