Laws and regulations vary significantly from country to country, and sometimes, seemingly harmless items can land you in trouble while traveling abroad. Even if you’re not planning on visiting any foreign places soon, it’s interesting and surprising to learn that some things we use daily are not permitted elsewhere—here are 19 such forbidden items!
Single-Use Plastic Bags
Many countries have banned or restricted the use of single-use plastics in an effort to combat plastic pollution and its detrimental effects on our planet’s ecosystems. Bangladesh was the first to implement a nationwide ban in 2008, followed by a growing list of nations, including Kenya, China, Italy, and France. Instead, reusable or biodegradable shopping bags are used.
Shark Fins
The Shark Research Institute reports, “Approximately 73 to 100 million sharks are killed annually worldwide just for their fins.” This wasteful massacre of top predators, who play a vital role in healthy marine ecosystems, has been deemed unacceptable in Costa Rica, China, the EU, and several U.S. states. Sadly, shark fin soup remains a status symbol in some Asian countries.
Kinder Surprise Eggs
These famous chocolate eggs contain a small toy surprise inside, but they aren’t as harmless as they sound—the tiny plastic parts of the toy pose a choking hazard to smaller children. The U.S. banned these eggs in 1938 due to a federal law prohibiting candy that contains inedible objects. Similar bans are in place in Australia and several other countries worldwide.
Chewing Gum
Singapore banned the import and sale of chewing gum in 1992 to combat littering and vandalism. The ban was relaxed in 2004, but only to allow therapeutic chewing gum for those with a doctor’s prescription. The sale of casual chewing gum for recreational use remains illegal. Singapore’s impressively well-manicured streets are considerably less sticky!
Skinny Mannequins
In 2015, the French government banned the display of size zero mannequins or those with excessively thin body types in an attempt to expose the public to healthier-sized images of human bodies. All mannequins displayed in France must be correctly proportioned and of a size that is within ‘healthy’ weight limits on the body mass index (BMI) scale.
Kangaroo Products
The commercial sale and export of kangaroo products has been banned in Germany since 2007. The Guardian reports that the entire EU may soon implement similar restrictions, despite being the largest market for such products. Animal rights groups have expressed concerns about the sustainability and ethics of kangaroo hunting practices and the cruelty involved.
Super-Sized McDonald’s
In 2004, Hungary banned the sale of supersized fast-food portions in an attempt to curb obesity rates among its populace. The ban applied to any meal above a specific size and aimed to normalize smaller portions and healthier eating choices. Although the law has since been repealed, it was vital in sparking debate about government dietary intervention.
‘Dangerous’ Dog Breeds
Several countries have breed-specific bans on dogs deemed overly aggressive or dangerous. In Japan, for example, it’s illegal to own or sell a Tosa Inu or Akita Inu, while American Pit Bull Terriers are forbidden in the UK—including owning, breeding, abandoning, or gifting them. These bans are often controversial, especially among responsible dog owners.
Snus
Snus is a smokeless tobacco product that delivers nicotine when placed between the top gum and upper lip. However, it has been linked to health risks such as mouth cancers, and this led the European Union to ban its production and sale in 1992. The exception to this rule is Sweden, where snus is a long-established tradition that is still legally permitted.
Unregistered SIM Cards
Believe it or not, in India, it is technically illegal to possess a SIM card that has not been registered. Privacy International asserts that this law was implemented in 2016 to combat terrorism and criminal activity, which was being facilitated by phones that weren’t linked to anyone’s ID or address. Purchasing an Indian SIM card now requires valid documentation.
Flip-Flops
Spain has a strange law prohibiting drivers from wearing flip-flops or sandals while operating a vehicle. The government was attempting to reduce the number of road accidents and collisions caused by pedal slipping or footwear that became wrapped or trapped around a car’s pedals. However, for obvious reasons, it’s pretty tricky for the police to enforce.
Casinos
Gambling and associated equipment (like blackjack tables, poker chips, and roulette wheels) are strictly prohibited in many countries, often due to religious beliefs or concerns about the social problems that can come with gambling addiction. All forms of gambling are banned in the United Arab Emirates, and in several other places, like Cambodia, it is only permitted for tourists.
Unpasteurized Milk
Pasteurization is a process that heats milk to kill harmful bacteria. It has been a common practice since commercially produced dairy products were first made available. Some people may prefer the taste of raw, unpasteurized milk, but it can pose a health risk. In countries such as the UK and Canada, the sale of unpasteurized milk products is banned.
Exotic Pets
While cats and dogs are common household pets worldwide, some countries restrict the ownership of certain exotic animals—especially those that are dangerous, endangered, or pose a health risk. Most countries, including China and the EU, forbid the ownership of big cats without a zoo license, and many countries prohibit the ownership of primates as pets.
Electronic Cigarettes
The health effects of e-cigarettes are still being debated, so some countries have decided to err on the side of caution and have opted for precautionary measures. Brazil, for instance, has had a nationwide ban on the sale and import of e-cigarettes and associated products since 2009, although Agência Brasil reports that trade on the illegal black market is an ongoing problem.
Loudspeakers at Night
Noise pollution is a severe problem in many urban areas, with many people living close together surrounded by walls that reflect and amplify loud noises. Several countries, including India, have implemented nighttime restrictions on loud noises, including a ban on the use of loudspeakers during certain hours, although these ordinances do vary by location.
Powerful Lasers
Due to concerns over eye damage and blindness, many countries regulate or ban any products that incorporate high-powered lasers. In the U.S., for example, the FDA has imposed regulations on importing and selling laser pointers exceeding a particular power output. Similar restrictions exist in the EU, where intense lasers are only permitted for manufacturing, medical, and research purposes.
Foie Gras
Foie gras is a luxury food product made from the liver of a duck or goose that has been cruelly fattened through force-feeding. The production process is considered barbaric and unnecessary in many countries; Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, India, and the United Kingdom have all banned the production of foie gras, although its importation is still permitted.
Racing Pigeons
Pigeons are a common sight in many cities, but some countries restrict certain breeds. For example, Australia bans the import and ownership of racing pigeons due to concerns that they could spread diseases and disrupt native bird populations. Similarly, some cities have ordinances restricting the feeding of wild urban pigeons in public spaces.
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