Cannabis can mean up to 10 years in prison
Cannabis is a Class A drug under Singapore's Misuse of Drugs Act. Possessing or consuming it can be punished with up to 10 years in prison, a S$20,000 fine, or both.
Source: Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) ↗
Local Rules for Travellers
🇸🇬 Local Rules in Singapore for Travellers
Singapore is famous for its clean streets and strict rules, and most of the stories are true: vaping is illegal, littering and smoking in the wrong place are fined, and cigarettes get no duty-free allowance at all. These are the rules visitors most need to know, each checked against an official Singapore government source.
🚫 Drugs & cannabis
💊 Medicines
Controlled medicines need approval 2 weeks ahead
Medicines containing controlled substances (for example some strong painkillers, sleeping pills and ADHD medicines) need HSA approval before you travel. Apply at least 2 weeks before arriving in Singapore.
Up to 3 months' supply of medicine, with a prescription
You can bring up to 3 months' supply of personal medicine if it needs no approval and is not prohibited; larger quantities are not allowed. Carry a copy of a valid prescription or doctor's letter from your country of residence.
Cannabis medicines and foreign nicotine gum or patches are banned
Medicines with prohibited substances, such as cannabis or cannabis extracts, cannot be brought in under any circumstances. Nicotine medicines bought outside Singapore, including nicotine gum, lozenges, patches, sprays and inhalers, are also prohibited.
🍺 Alcohol
Duty-free alcohol only if you are 18+ and were away 2 days
The duty-free allowance for alcohol applies only to travellers aged 18 or over who spent at least 2 days outside Singapore before arriving.
Source: Singapore Customs ↗
🚬 Smoking & vaping
Vapes and e-cigarettes are illegal
Since 1 February 2018 buying, owning and using vaporisers (e-cigarettes, vapes) is prohibited in Singapore, including for visitors. Individuals can be fined up to S$10,000; vapes containing other psychoactive substances carry far heavier penalties.
Smoking is banned in many public places, including all parks
Smoking in a smoking-prohibited place is an offence. The list is long and includes all parks, gardens and nature reserves managed by NParks. Venue managers must stop anyone smoking there or ask them to leave.
🏛️ Public places & behaviour
Littering costs S$300 for a first offence
Littering is fined with a composition amount of S$300 for a first offence.
🛸 Drones
Register drones over 250 g, visitors included
Drones with a total weight over 250 g must be registered, and the drone rules apply to everyone flying in Singapore, including non-residents.
No drones within 5 km of an airport without a permit
Drones cannot be flown in no-fly zones without a permit. The general no-fly zones include everywhere within 5 km of an aerodrome, which covers a large part of the small island. Check the official map before flying.
🛃 Customs & what you can bring
No duty-free cigarettes: declare every pack
Singapore gives no duty-free allowance for cigarettes or any tobacco product, so all of them must be declared and taxed. Undeclared cigarettes are fined at the checkpoint at S$200 per packet (or per 20 sticks) for a first offence, rising for repeat offences.
Source: Singapore Customs ↗
Not declaring goods is an offence
Failing to declare dutiable goods, or making an incorrect declaration, is an offence under Singapore law.
Source: Singapore Customs ↗
Law, venue rule, custom or advice?
Every rule on this page is labelled, so you can tell what is enforced by law from what is simply polite.
- Law
- Set by national, regional or city law. Breaking it can mean a fine or worse.
- Venue rule
- A rule set by a venue or operator, such as a bath, museum, hotel or transport company.
- Local custom
- Not a law, but expected behaviour. Ignoring it can cause offence.
- Safety advice
- Practical advice from an official source to keep you out of trouble.
Sources checked for this page
- Health Sciences Authority (HSA)
- Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB)
- Singapore Customs
- Singapore Customs
- Health Sciences Authority (HSA)
- National Environment Agency (NEA)
- National Environment Agency (NEA)
- Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
- Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the source.