With the holidays almost here, many of you might have made travel plans to head off to exciting winter destinations. While international travel itself can be stressful and anxiety-inducing, it is important to focus your energy in the right direction.
Discover our latest podcast
One of the most easily overlooked but important things when travelling abroad for the winter holidays is, the list of what not to pack. As reported by The Sun, here are some of the most surprising items which you must leave behind while travelling to certain countries, or risk fines and legal actions.
Flip flops - Capri (Italy)
Believe it or not, flip-flops, which for many of us are a beach essential, are actually banned in the island city of Capri in Italy.
In fact, the city has put forth a blanket ban on all ‘noisy footwear,’ which of course includes the humble flip-flops. So, if you are heading off to Capri for some sun and sand, you’d have to find a better way than flip-flops to air out those toes.
Chewing gum – Singapore
Singapore bans the import and sale of chewing gum. So if you are caught chewing it, you would not be persecuted but there could be legal implications if you are caught bringing it inside the country.
The Singapore chewing gum penalty could see you get fined between USD $500 to $1000 on the first offence, and USD $2000 for repeat offenders.
Vapes and electronic cigarettes – Thailand
Vapes and e-cigarettes have become very commonplace in Europe and the U.K. so one might entertain the assumption that it is the same in other parts of the world. But nothing is further from the truth.
For example, Thailand has had a ban on the import, export, sale and possession of vaping products since November 2014. Therefore, do not take your vaping paraphernalia with you if are travelling there unless you want to risk paying a hefty fine.
Kinder Surprise eggs – USA
Yes, quite astonishingly, the delicious chocolate Kinder eggs are actually banned in the US. Open the Kinder eggs is one of the most fun parts of eating Kinder, revealing a surprise toy each time you open one. But this is precisely the reason for Kinder being banned, since the US has a law banning ‘non-nutritive object embedded,’ in food and confectionary.
Baby walkers – Canada
Baby walkers are considered as necessity by some parents, who might want to pack theirs while they travel. But if you are heading to Canada, better to leave them behind since they are banned in the country.
Baby walkers have been deemed dangerous to children by Canadian law and hence, the sale, importation and advertisement of baby walkers is banned in the country. If retailers or parents are found selling or using these, they could be fined up to $100,000 or six months in jail.
Sources used:
The Sun: ‘CHEWED OUT Brits warned to avoid packing flip flops and chewing gum on holiday – or risk hefty fines’
Huff Post: ‘Why Are Baby Walkers Banned In Canada?’
