Information only. Not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies — consult a qualified attorney for your jurisdiction before acting.
Definitely Illegal
The hard lines — items and acts that carry severe penalties almost everywhere they're listed. When something lands in this category, the safest move is simply to leave it at home.
Compare definitely illegal laws across 198 countries. See what's legal, restricted, or illegal before you travel.
Showing 2 most-tracked items — open a country page for its full definitely illegal list.
| Country | Drug trafficking | Same-sex relations |
|---|---|---|
| Andorra | Severe penalties | — |
| UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi) | — | — |
| Afghanistan | Death penalty possible | Death penalty offense |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Severe penalties | — |
| Albania | Severe penalties | — |
| Armenia | Severe penalties | — |
| Angola | Severe penalties | — |
| Argentina | Heavy penalties | — |
| Austria | — | — |
| Australia | — | — |
| Azerbaijan | Severe penalties | — |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Severe penalties | — |
| Barbados | Severe penalties | — |
| Bangladesh | Death penalty possible | — |
| Belgium | Heavy penalties | — |
| Burkina Faso | Severe penalties | — |
| Bulgaria | — | — |
| Bahrain | Death penalty possible | — |
| Burundi | Severe penalties | Up to 2 years prison |
| Benin | Severe penalties | — |
| Brunei | Death penalty possible | Up to life prison; theoretical death by stoning under Sharia Penal Code (moratorium stated) |
| Bolivia | Severe penalties | — |
| Brazil | Heavy penalties | — |
| Bahamas | Severe penalties (US-Bahamas cooperation) | — |
| Bhutan | — | — |
| Botswana | Severe penalties | — |
| Belarus | Death penalty possible | — |
| Belize | Severe penalties | — |
| Canada | — | — |
| DR Congo | Severe penalties | — |
| Central African Republic | Severe penalties | — |
| Republic of the Congo | Severe penalties | — |
| Switzerland | — | — |
| Côte d'Ivoire | Severe penalties | — |
| Chile | — | — |
| Cameroon | Severe penalties | Up to 5 years (Section 347-1) |
| China | — | — |
| Colombia | Extremely serious | — |
| Costa Rica | Severe penalties | — |
| Cuba | Decades of prison | — |
| Cabo Verde | Severe penalties | — |
| Cyprus | Severe penalties | — |
| Czech Republic | Heavy penalties | — |
| Germany | — | — |
| Djibouti | Severe penalties | — |
| Denmark | Heavy penalties | — |
| Dominica | Severe penalties | — |
| Dominican Republic | Severe penalties; tourist beach 'meets' often stings | — |
| Algeria | — | Up to 3 years prison |
| Ecuador | Severe penalties | — |
| Estonia | Severe penalties | — |
| Egypt | — | — |
| Eritrea | Severe penalties | Up to 7 years prison |
| Spain | — | — |
| Ethiopia | Severe penalties | Up to 15 years prison |
| Finland | — | — |
| Fiji | Severe penalties | — |
| Micronesia (Federated States) | Severe penalties | — |
| France | — | — |
| Gabon | Severe penalties | — |
| Grenada | Severe penalties | — |
| Georgia | — | — |
| Ghana | Severe penalties | Up to 3 years (Criminal Code §104(1)(b), 1960) |
| Gambia | Severe penalties | Up to life prison |
| Guinea | Severe penalties | Up to 3 years prison |
| Equatorial Guinea | Severe penalties | Not technically criminal but socially severe; advocacy criminalized |
| Greece | — | — |
| Guatemala | Severe penalties | — |
| Guinea-Bissau | Severe penalties (transit-zone enforcement) | — |
| Guyana | Severe penalties | Up to life on books (rarely enforced) |
| Hong Kong | — | — |
| Honduras | Severe penalties | — |
| Croatia | — | — |
| Haiti | Severe penalties | — |
| Hungary | — | — |
| Indonesia | — | — |
| Ireland | Heavy penalties | — |
| Israel | — | — |
| India | — | — |
| Iraq | Death penalty possible | Up to 15 years (April 2024 anti-prostitution law amendment) |
| Iran | — | Death penalty offense |
| Iceland | — | — |
| Italy | — | — |
| Jamaica | Severe penalties | Buggery law (rarely enforced but on books) |
| Jordan | — | — |
| Japan | — | — |
| Kenya | — | Up to 14 years prison |
| Kyrgyzstan | Severe penalties | — |
| Cambodia | — | — |
| Kiribati | Severe penalties | — |
| Comoros | Severe penalties | Up to 5 years prison |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Severe penalties | — |
| North Korea | — | — |
| South Korea | — | — |
| Kuwait | — | — |
| Kazakhstan | Severe penalties | — |
| Laos | Death penalty possible | — |
| Lebanon | — | — |
| Saint Lucia | Severe penalties | — |
| Liechtenstein | Heavy penalties | — |
| Sri Lanka | — | — |
| Liberia | Severe penalties | Misdemeanor; up to 1 year prison |
| Lesotho | Severe penalties | — |
| Lithuania | — | — |
| Luxembourg | — | — |
| Latvia | Severe penalties | — |
| Libya | Death penalty possible | Up to 5 years prison |
| Morocco | — | — |
| Monaco | — | — |
| Moldova | Severe penalties | — |
| Montenegro | Severe penalties | — |
| Madagascar | Severe penalties | — |
| Marshall Islands | Severe penalties | — |
| North Macedonia | Severe penalties | — |
| Mali | Severe penalties | — |
| Myanmar | — | — |
| Mongolia | Severe penalties | — |
| Macau | Up to 25 years imprisonment | — |
| Mauritania | Severe penalties | Death penalty for Muslim men under Sharia |
| Malta | — | — |
| Mauritius | Severe penalties | — |
| Maldives | — | — |
| Malawi | Severe penalties | Up to 14 years (sodomy law) |
| Mexico | — | — |
| Malaysia | Mandatory death penalty | — |
| Mozambique | Severe penalties | — |
| Namibia | Severe penalties | — |
| Niger | Severe penalties | — |
| Nigeria | Severe penalties | Up to 14 years (Sharia: death possible) |
| Nicaragua | Severe penalties | — |
| Netherlands | — | — |
| Norway | — | — |
| Nepal | — | — |
| Nauru | Severe penalties | — |
| New Zealand | — | — |
| Oman | — | — |
| Panama | Severe penalties | — |
| Peru | — | — |
| Papua New Guinea | Severe penalties | Up to 14 years prison |
| Philippines | — | — |
| Pakistan | Death penalty possible | — |
| Poland | — | — |
| Palestine | — | — |
| Portugal | Heavy penalties | — |
| Palau | Severe penalties | — |
| Paraguay | Severe penalties | — |
| Qatar | — | — |
| Romania | Severe penalties | — |
| Serbia | — | — |
| Russia | — | — |
| Rwanda | — | — |
| Saudi Arabia | — | — |
| Solomon Islands | Severe penalties | Up to 14 years; rarely enforced |
| Seychelles | Severe penalties | — |
| Sudan | Severe penalties | Up to life prison (death-penalty provisions repealed 2020) |
| Sweden | — | — |
| Singapore | — | — |
| Slovenia | — | — |
| Slovakia | — | — |
| Sierra Leone | Severe penalties | Up to life prison (sodomy law) |
| San Marino | Heavy penalties | — |
| Senegal | Severe penalties | Up to 5 years (Article 319) |
| Somalia | Severe penalties | Up to 3 years prison (death penalty in al-Shabaab areas) |
| Suriname | Severe penalties | — |
| South Sudan | Severe penalties | Up to 14 years prison |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | Severe penalties | — |
| El Salvador | Severe penalties | — |
| Syria | Death penalty possible | Up to 3 years prison |
| Eswatini | Severe penalties | — |
| Chad | Severe penalties | Up to 2 years (since 2017 amendment) |
| Togo | Severe penalties | Up to 3 years (Article 88) |
| Thailand | — | — |
| Tajikistan | Severe penalties | — |
| Timor-Leste | Severe penalties | — |
| Turkmenistan | Severe penalties | Up to 2 years prison |
| Tunisia | — | Up to 3 years prison |
| Tonga | Severe penalties | — |
| Turkey | — | — |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Severe penalties | — |
| Tuvalu | Severe penalties | — |
| Taiwan | Death penalty possible | — |
| Tanzania | — | 30 years to life |
| Ukraine | — | — |
| Uganda | Severe penalties | Up to life prison; 'aggravated homosexuality' death penalty (Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023) |
| United Kingdom | — | — |
| United States | — | — |
| Uruguay | — | — |
| Uzbekistan | Severe penalties | Up to 3 years prison |
| Vatican City | — | — |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Severe penalties | — |
| Venezuela | Severe penalties | — |
| Vietnam | Death penalty | — |
| Vanuatu | Severe penalties | — |
| Samoa | Severe penalties | — |
| Yemen | Death penalty possible | Death penalty offense |
| South Africa | — | — |
| Zambia | Severe penalties | Up to 14 years (sodomy law) |
| Zimbabwe | Severe penalties | Up to 1 year (Section 73) |
Andorra
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Bringing back over-quota tobacco/alcoholEU customs seizure
UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi)
- Any drugs4+ years minimum
- Pork in SharjahSharjah is dry
- Cross-dressingCan be prosecuted
- Bounced checkCriminal offense
Afghanistan
- Apostasy / criticizing IslamDeath penalty offense under Sharia interpretation
- Same-sex relationsDeath penalty offense
- Alcohol consumptionLashings + prison
- Drug traffickingDeath penalty possible
Antigua and Barbuda
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Camouflage clothing for civiliansCommon Caribbean rule
Albania
- Cannabis cultivationSevere penalties
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Armenia
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Crossing closed AZ borderDetention possible
Angola
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Diamond traffickingSevere penalties
Argentina
- Drug traffickingHeavy penalties
- Tax evasionStrictly enforced
Austria
- Nazi symbolsConstitutional ban
- Holocaust denialCriminal offense
Australia
- Any undeclared biosecurity riskHuge fines
- Bulletproof vestNeed permit
- FireworksPublic can't buy
- Bringing wood/seedsBiosecurity risk
Azerbaijan
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Entering via Nagorno-Karabakh from ArmeniaUp to 8 years prison
Bosnia and Herzegovina
- War-crimes denial / glorificationCriminal in Federation; uneven in RS
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Barbados
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Camouflage clothingConfiscation at customs
Bangladesh
- Drug traffickingDeath penalty possible
- Bringing alcohol without permitCustoms enforces
Belgium
- Drug traffickingHeavy penalties
- Nazi symbolismCriminal offense
Burkina Faso
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Visiting insurgent-affected areasHigh kidnap risk
Bulgaria
- CorruptionAnti-corruption laws
Bahrain
- Drug traffickingDeath penalty possible
- Insulting royal family/IslamImprisonment
Burundi
- Same-sex relationsUp to 2 years prison
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Benin
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Visiting northern security-zone bordersHigh risk (Burkina/Niger spillover)
Brunei
- Same-sex relationsUp to life prison; theoretical death by stoning under Sharia Penal Code (moratorium stated)
- Apostasy / insulting IslamSevere penalties
- Drug traffickingDeath penalty possible
Bolivia
- Cocaine possessionSevere penalties despite coca legality
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Brazil
- Drug traffickingHeavy penalties
- Environmental crimesAmazon protection
Bahamas
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties (US-Bahamas cooperation)
- Conch / spiny lobster out of seasonHeavy fines
Bhutan
- Selling tobaccoSevere penalties
- Drone without permitConfiscation + fines
Botswana
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Wildlife traffickingSevere penalties (rhino/elephant)
- Off-road driving in parksHeavy fines
Belarus
- Anti-government protestsLong sentences
- Subscribing to 'extremist' channels (Telegram)Criminal offense
- Drug traffickingDeath penalty possible
Belize
- Maya antiquities exportSevere penalties
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Conch / lobster out of seasonHeavy fines
Canada
- Brass knucklesProhibited weapon
- Butterfly knifeProhibited
- Not clearing snowMunicipal fines
- Kinder EggsLegal (unlike US)
DR Congo
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Mineral trafficking (coltan / 3T)Severe penalties
- Visiting M23-controlled areasSevere risk
Central African Republic
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Diamond / mineral traffickingKimberley violations
- Visiting armed-group zonesSevere risk
Republic of the Congo
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Wildlife / ivory traffickingSevere penalties
Switzerland
- Money launderingDespite banking secrecy
- Nazi symbolsCriminal offense
Côte d'Ivoire
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Wildlife traffickingSevere penalties
Chile
- Drug possessionConservative courts
- Intellectual property theftStrictly enforced
Cameroon
- Same-sex relationsUp to 5 years (Section 347-1)
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Visiting conflict zonesSevere risk
China
- Pro-Tibet/Xinjiang/Falun Gong materialConfiscated; detention possible
- Public political protestDetention likely
- Bibles in commercial quantitiesCustoms may seize
Colombia
- Drug traffickingExtremely serious
- Funding armed groupsTerrorism charges
Costa Rica
- Wildlife harassmentSevere penalties
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Cuba
- Drone importConfiscation at customs
- Anti-Castro political activityDetention possible
- Drug traffickingDecades of prison
Cabo Verde
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Sea-turtle harassment / nest disturbanceHeavy fines
Cyprus
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Photography of military basesUK SBA (sovereign base) areas restricted
Czech Republic
- Drug traffickingHeavy penalties
- Communist symbolsSensitive topic
Germany
- Running out of gas on Autobahn€70 (preventable)
- Walking on Autobahn€90 fine
- Passing on rightTraffic violation
- Not having ID€3000 fine
Djibouti
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Photography of foreign military basesDetention possible
Denmark
- Drug traffickingHeavy penalties
- Tax evasionStrictly enforced
Dominica
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Camouflage clothingConfiscation
- Sperm whale harassmentHeavy fines
Dominican Republic
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties; tourist beach 'meets' often stings
- Beach erosion (sand removal)Restricted
Algeria
- Same-sex relationsUp to 3 years prison
- Religious proselytismIllegal
Ecuador
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Galápagos endemic species exportInternational offense
Estonia
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Border zone trespass (Russia)Detention
Egypt
- Any drugsDeath penalty possible
- Anti-government speechTerrorism charges
Eritrea
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Photography without permitDetention
- Same-sex relationsUp to 7 years prison
Spain
- Franco symbolsDemocratic Memory Law
- Hate speech1-4 years prison
- Animal cruelty18 months prison
- Unlicensed taxi€4,000 fine
Ethiopia
- Same-sex relationsUp to 15 years prison
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Finland
- Sauna misconductCultural offense
- Drug possessionStrict penalties
Fiji
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Micronesia (Federated States)
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- WWII wreck artifact removal (Chuuk Lagoon)Heritage protection
France
- Any Nazi symbols€45,000 + 6 months
- Holocaust denial1 year + €45,000
- Face coverings (religious)€150 fine
- Unlicensed buskingCan be fined
Gabon
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Iboga export without permitHeritage protection
Grenada
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Camouflage clothingConfiscation
- Same-sex relations (on books)Up to 10 years; rarely enforced
Georgia
- Cannabis saleCriminal despite decriminalized use
- Entering occupied territories from Russian sideUp to 5 years prison
Ghana
- Same-sex relationsUp to 3 years (Criminal Code §104(1)(b), 1960)
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Gambia
- Same-sex relationsUp to life prison
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- FGM (since 2015)Repeal attempts ongoing — remained illegal in 2024 vote
Guinea
- Same-sex relationsUp to 3 years prison
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Equatorial Guinea
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Photography of governmentDetention
- Same-sex relationsNot technically criminal but socially severe; advocacy criminalized
Greece
- Exporting antiquities20 years prison
- Military area photographyNational security
Guatemala
- Mayan antiquities exportSevere penalties
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Guinea-Bissau
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties (transit-zone enforcement)
- Wildlife traffickingSevere penalties
Guyana
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Same-sex relationsUp to life on books (rarely enforced)
- Cross-dressing (1893 law)Decriminalized 2018 only by court ruling
Hong Kong
- CBD products in any formBanned since Feb 2023
- Nicotine vape commercial activityCustoms seizes
- Hong Kong independence advocacyNSL — secession
Honduras
- Mayan antiquities exportSevere penalties
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Visiting gang-controlled neighborhoods at nightHigh risk
Croatia
- Beach pebble/shell export in qtyCustoms fine
- Drone over old town DubrovnikNo-fly zone
Haiti
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Visiting gang zonesSevere risk
Hungary
- Any drug possessionZero tolerance
- Communist symbolsControversial
Indonesia
- Any illegal drugsDeath penalty
- BlasphemyUp to 5 years
Ireland
- Drug traffickingHeavy penalties
- Tax evasionRevenue very strict
Israel
- BDS supportAnti-boycott law
- Entering restricted zonesMilitary offense
India
- E-cigarettes (any kind)₹100,000 fine + jail
- Beef (in Hindu states)Up to 10 years
- Satellite phone without permitConfiscation
- Disrespecting flag/anthem3 years prison
Iraq
- Same-sex relationsUp to 15 years (April 2024 anti-prostitution law amendment)
- Drug traffickingDeath penalty possible
- Insulting Islam / blasphemySevere penalties
Iran
- Apostasy or anti-Islam speechDeath penalty offense
- Same-sex relationsDeath penalty offense
Iceland
- Environmental damageSerious offense
- Off-road drivingHeavy fines
Italy
- Fascist symbols/salutePrison + fine
- Damaging cultural sitesHeavy fines + prison
- Unlicensed street sellingConfiscation + fine
- Camping wild€100-500 fine
Jamaica
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Same-sex relationsBuggery law (rarely enforced but on books)
- Pepper spray (firearm classification)Confiscation
Jordan
- Drone without permitConfiscation + arrest
- Insulting royal familyImprisonment possible
Japan
- Any stimulant medicationPrison + deportation
- Bringing meat productsHeavy fines
- Working on tourist visaDeportation
- Not carrying passport¥100,000 fine
Kenya
- Plastic bag importUp to KSh 4M fine
- Ivory/wildlife traffickingUp to life sentence
- Same-sex relationsUp to 14 years prison
Kyrgyzstan
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Cross-border smugglingCustoms strict
Cambodia
- Antiquities exportSevere penalties
- Disrespect to royal familyLèse-majesté (Penal Code Art. 437bis, 2018) — up to 5 years prison
Kiribati
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Same-sex relations (on books)Up to 14 years; rarely enforced
Comoros
- Same-sex relationsUp to 5 years prison
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Camouflage clothingConfiscation
North Korea
- Religious proselytismLong sentences
- Anti-DPRK contentYears of hard labor
- Photographing soldiers/checkpointsDetention
- Bringing in Bibles / religious textsConfiscation + arrest
South Korea
- Cannabis use abroadStill illegal for citizens
- North Korea contentNational Security Law
Kuwait
- Any drug possessionDeath penalty
- Insulting the EmirSerious offense
Kazakhstan
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Insulting the PresidentCriminal offense
Laos
- Drug traffickingDeath penalty possible
- Religious proselytizingDetention possible
Lebanon
- Recreational cannabisPenalties despite cultural use
- Visiting Israel via passport stampBanned (causes entry refusal)
Saint Lucia
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Camouflage clothingConfiscation
- Same-sex relations (on books)Up to 10 years; rarely enforced
Liechtenstein
- Drug traffickingHeavy penalties
- Tax evasionIncreased enforcement post-2009
Sri Lanka
- E-cigarette sale/importBanned
- Disrespect to Buddha imageryPenal Code offense
Liberia
- Same-sex relationsMisdemeanor; up to 1 year prison
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Lesotho
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Wildlife traffickingSevere penalties
Lithuania
- Soviet symbolsDecommunization law
Luxembourg
- Cannabis sale outside legal cultivationCriminal
- Driving over 0.05%Fines + license points
Latvia
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Border zone activities (RU/BY)Detention
Libya
- Same-sex relationsUp to 5 years prison
- Alcohol consumptionLashing under Sharia interpretation
- Drug traffickingDeath penalty possible
Morocco
- Insulting the KingSerious offense
- Promoting separatismNational security
Monaco
- Drug possessionStrict French-style enforcement
- Drone use over MonacoHeavy restrictions
Moldova
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Border-zone trespass (Transnistria)Both Moldovan and de-facto authorities enforce
Montenegro
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Wildlife harassment in national parksHeavy fines
Madagascar
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Lemur / endemic-species exportSevere penalties (CITES)
- Vanilla / clove smugglingCustoms strict
Marshall Islands
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Trespass on Kwajalein (US military lease)Restricted
North Macedonia
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Cross-border smugglingCustoms strict
Mali
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Visiting conflict areasHigh kidnap risk
- Same-sex relations (de-facto)Public displays prosecuted under public-decency law
Myanmar
- Anti-junta speech onlineDetention
- Drone use without authorizationDrone seized + arrest
Mongolia
- Antiquities exportIncluding dinosaur fossils
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Macau
- E-cigarette commercial activitySale, import, advertising all banned
- Drug traffickingUp to 25 years imprisonment
- Casino photography of tablesEnforced strictly
Mauritania
- Apostasy from IslamDeath penalty on books since 2018 amendment
- Same-sex relationsDeath penalty for Muslim men under Sharia
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Malta
- Public cannabis smoking€235 fine — private only
- Bird trapping out of seasonHeavy fines
Mauritius
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Coral / sea-shell collection in marine parksHeavy fines
Maldives
- Alcohol on local islandsCustoms seizes
- Pork on local islandsRestricted
- Bibles/non-Islamic religious texts in qtyCustoms may seize
Malawi
- Same-sex relationsUp to 14 years (sodomy law)
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Wildlife traffickingSevere penalties
Mexico
- Any amount of cocaine10-25 years prison
- Importing medicationsWithout permit
Malaysia
- Drug traffickingMandatory death penalty
- LGBT public displayIllegal
Mozambique
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Wildlife traffickingSevere penalties
- Visiting Cabo Delgado conflict areasSevere risk
Namibia
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Wildlife trafficking (rhino / elephant)Severe penalties
- Off-road driving in conservanciesHeavy fines
Niger
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Visiting insurgent zonesHigh kidnap risk
Nigeria
- Same-sex relationsUp to 14 years (Sharia: death possible)
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Visiting NE conflict zonesRestricted
Nicaragua
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Anti-government activism (foreign citizen)Detention/expulsion
Netherlands
- Hard drugsNot tolerated
- WeaponsStrict laws
- DiscriminationProsecuted
- Not having bike lights€60 fine
Norway
- Drug possessionStrict penalties
- Drunk drivingImmediate consequences
Nepal
- Drone use without permitDrone seized + fine
- Killing a cowUp to 12 years prison
Nauru
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Photography of Australia-funded processing facilitiesRestricted
New Zealand
- Biosecurity violationsHeavy fines
- Hate speechStrictly enforced
Oman
- Public drunkennessDetention + deportation
- Insulting Sultan/IslamImprisonment
Panama
- Crossing the Darién Gap on footSevere danger; restricted
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Peru
- Exporting antiquitiesHeavy penalties
- Damaging heritage sitesInternational incident
Papua New Guinea
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Same-sex relationsUp to 14 years prison
- Possessing pornographyCustoms strict
Philippines
- Any illegal drugsUp to life imprisonment + heavy fines (RA 9165)
- CybercrimeHeavy penalties
Pakistan
- Blasphemy (any religion)Death penalty possible
- Drug traffickingDeath penalty possible
Poland
- Nazi symbolsCriminal offense
- Holocaust denialCriminal offense
Palestine
- Same-sex relations (Gaza)Up to 10 years prison under 1936 British Mandate-era law
- Crossing into Gaza without authorizationRestricted by Israel + Egypt
Portugal
- Drug traffickingHeavy penalties
- Tax evasionStrictly enforced
Palau
- Reef-toxic sunscreen import / useConfiscated at airport
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Shark fishing in Palau watersWorld's first shark sanctuary
Paraguay
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Cross-border smugglingCustoms strict
- Yerba mate plantation tamperingHeavy fines (cultural/economic)
Qatar
- Homosexual activityUp to 7 years prison; harsher penalties under Sharia for Muslims
- Insulting IslamBlasphemy
Romania
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Antiquities exportHeritage protection laws
Serbia
- War crimes denialSensitive topic
Russia
- Anti-war protests15 years prison
- LGBT propagandaExtremism
Rwanda
- Plastic bag importConfiscation at airport
- Genocide denial or ideologyUp to 25 years prison
Saudi Arabia
- Homosexual activityImprisonment + lashes; harsher under Sharia for Muslims
- Alcohol consumptionFlogging/prison
Solomon Islands
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Same-sex relationsUp to 14 years; rarely enforced
- WWII unexploded ordnance handlingSevere risk + offense
Seychelles
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Coral / coco-de-mer export without permitHeavy fines
- Marine-park violationsHeavy fines
Sudan
- Apostasy from IslamDeath penalty repealed 2020 but pressure persists
- Same-sex relationsUp to life prison (death-penalty provisions repealed 2020)
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Alcohol consumptionLashing under Sharia
Sweden
- Drug possessionEurope's strictest
- Hate speechStrictly enforced
Singapore
- Any drugsDeath/life sentence
- Graffiti/vandalismCaning + jail
- Gathering without permitIllegal assembly
- Selling gum$100,000 fine
Slovenia
- Cannabis dealing/cultivationCriminal (possession decriminalized)
- Driving over 0.05%Fines + license points
Slovakia
- Cannabis possessionStricter than neighbors
- Driving with any blood alcohol0.0% limit
Sierra Leone
- Same-sex relationsUp to life prison (sodomy law)
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Diamond export without Kimberley certificateSevere penalties
San Marino
- Drug traffickingHeavy penalties
- Antiquities exportHeritage protection
Senegal
- Same-sex relationsUp to 5 years (Article 319)
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Somalia
- Same-sex relationsUp to 3 years prison (death penalty in al-Shabaab areas)
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Alcohol consumptionSevere penalties
- ApostasyDeath-penalty offense in some areas
Suriname
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Wildlife harassment (Amazon)Heavy fines
South Sudan
- Same-sex relationsUp to 14 years prison
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
São Tomé and Príncipe
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
El Salvador
- Gang affiliation / suspected affiliationLong pretrial detention
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Syria
- Same-sex relationsUp to 3 years prison
- Drug traffickingDeath penalty possible
- Visa-less entrySevere consequences
Eswatini
- Insulting the KingSevere penalties
- Same-sex relations (on books)Up to 7 years; rarely enforced
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Chad
- Same-sex relationsUp to 2 years (since 2017 amendment)
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Visiting insurgent zonesHigh kidnap risk
Togo
- Same-sex relationsUp to 3 years (Article 88)
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Thailand
- Vaping (any kind)10 years + ฿500,000
- Insulting monarchy3-15 years
- Taking Buddha images outNeed export permit
- Overstaying visa฿500/day + ban
Tajikistan
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Insulting the PresidentCriminal offense
Timor-Leste
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Anti-government violenceSevere penalties
Turkmenistan
- Same-sex relationsUp to 2 years prison
- Anti-government criticismLong sentences
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
Tunisia
- Cannabis possessionUp to 5 years (Law 52, reformed but still strict)
- Same-sex relationsUp to 3 years prison
Tonga
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Same-sex relations (on books)Up to 10 years; rarely enforced
- Sunday commercial activitySabbath law
Turkey
- Insulting the PresidentCriminal offense
- PKK supportTerrorism charges
Trinidad and Tobago
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Camouflage clothingConfiscation
- Pepper spray (firearm classification)Confiscation
Tuvalu
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Same-sex relations (on books)Up to 14 years; rarely enforced
Taiwan
- E-cigarette possessionNT$2,000-10,000 fine even for personal use
- Drug traffickingDeath penalty possible
- Driving under influenceNT$15,000–120,000 fine, prison over higher BAC thresholds
Tanzania
- Plastic bag importConfiscation + fine
- Same-sex relations30 years to life
- Ivory traffickingUp to life sentence
Ukraine
- Russian symbolsBanned
Uganda
- Same-sex relationsUp to life prison; 'aggravated homosexuality' death penalty (Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023)
- Promoting homosexualityUp to 20 years
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
United Kingdom
- Any offensive weaponPrison
- CS gas spray10 years (firearm)
- Drunk in charge of childFine + prison
- Not wearing seatbelt£500 fine
United States
- Open container in carIllegal everywhere
- Kinder EggsBanned (choking hazard)
- Cuban cigarsLegal now (2016+)
- Drinking under 21No exceptions
Uruguay
- Cannabis sale outside state systemCriminal
- Driving with any alcohol0.0% limit
Uzbekistan
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Same-sex relationsUp to 3 years prison
Vatican City
- Drone over VaticanAir space closed
- Vandalism of artSevere consequences
- Disrespecting religious contextRemoval + possible Italian charges
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Same-sex relations (on books)Up to 10 years; rarely enforced
- Camouflage clothingConfiscation
Venezuela
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Visiting border conflict zonesHigh risk
Vietnam
- Drug traffickingDeath penalty
- Anti-government activitiesHeavy penalties
Vanuatu
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Active volcano approach without guide (Yasur)Restricted by alert level
Samoa
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Same-sex relations (on books)Up to 7 years; rarely enforced
Yemen
- Same-sex relationsDeath penalty offense
- ApostasyDeath penalty offense
- Alcohol consumptionSevere penalties
- Drug traffickingDeath penalty possible
South Africa
- Hate speechApartheid history
- Rhino horn traffickingInternational crime
Zambia
- Same-sex relationsUp to 14 years (sodomy law)
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Wildlife traffickingSevere penalties
Zimbabwe
- Same-sex relationsUp to 1 year (Section 73)
- Drug traffickingSevere penalties
- Wildlife traffickingSevere penalties