Do’s and Don’ts in Singapore: Main Rules for Tourists

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The miniature state of Singapore is perhaps the safest place on the planet. This country is free from tropical diseases, as well as serious crimes. The streets are clean, beautiful tropical parks and beaches are the perfect places where you can spend your time in peace. Literally at every step there are warning signs informing about how to behave and what not to do in Singapore for tourists and local residents.

It is no coincidence that among the epithets that flatter the metropolis like “Garden City” or “South-Eastern Switzerland”, there is an alarming slogan – “City of Prohibitions.” So, what is prohibited in Singapore and what could be the punishment and fines for violating these rules?

Check our ultimate travel guide on main rules for tourists and most important do’s and don’ts in Singapore. It will help first time visitors to avoid many problems, fines and law violations.

Tourist bans in Singapore

Fines for Garbage in Singapore

For decades, Singapore authorities have taught the citizens of the country to order and a healthy lifestyle. Today, strict rules are supported by a unified system of fines and the threat of being imprisoned. So, even a small piece of paper or a cigarette butt thrown out past the dumpster, which are installed everywhere here, can result in a fine of 300 to 1,000 Singapore dollars (SGD) – about US 223-740$.

If the violation is repeated, the fine increases to SGD 2,000. Or you can be sent to community service, where you’ll receive a bright-colored T-shirt in which you’ll have to clean the streets of Singapore with the inscription “I got dirty.”

Singapore Gum Law

Chewing gum is not allowed in Singapore. If you’re going to bring gum with you to the country and its consume it publicly you’ll have to pay 500 SGD fine.

Medical prescription is the only exception allowing you to chew gum in Singapore. For example, gum from nicotine addiction. Why can’t you chew gum in Singapore? This law came into force in 2004.

The reason is simple, the government has to spend a lot of financial and human resources on cleaning the chewing gum stuck somewhere under the armchair in public transport, under a bench in the park and in many other places.

Tourist bans in Singapore

Singapore Laws and Fines

You’ll also have to pay 500 SGD for a snack in public transport. The fine for spitting on the street is 1000 SGD. In the 90s of the last century, a real crusade was declared in Singapore for the cleanliness of public toilets and elevators, which often served here as toilets.

Covert video surveillance, fines, imprisonment, flogging with rattan whips and publications in newspapers of shameful lists of citizens who forgot to flush the toilet after themselves have resulted in radiant cleanliness in latrines. Penalties are still valid; ignoring the flush cistern in the toilets of shopping centers, cinemas, hotels will cost 500 SGD.

It’s also prohibited to feed the birds. Despite the fact that the authorities in many countries around the world don’t see anything wrong with this, in Singapore it is forbidden to feed birds on the street, or be prepared to pay 500 Singapore dollars for it.

Don’t Relieve Yourself in the Elevator

This problem is widespread in many countries around the globe – it’s not acceptable to use elevators to relieve yourself. Singapore has started to fight against such a problem and succeeded a lot in this: many elevators are equipped with special devices for detecting urine.

As soon as this device detects a smell, an alarm will be triggered and the elevator doors will be locked until the police arrive. The violator will eventually face a very large fine.

Fines for Drivers and Pedestrians

When walking around the city, cross the street only in the designated places, the fine for violating this rule is 500 SGD. Drivers should take into account that you cannot exceed a speed of 50 km / h in residential areas of Singapore. This violation, as well as driving without a seat belt or in the opposite lane, is punishable by a fine of 200 SGD.

Mobile communications and the Internet in Singapore can be used everywhere, except for the road. Using the phone while driving will result in a heavy fine, revocation or even arrest. Drivers are also threatened with imprisonment.

What a tourist shouldn't do in Singapore

Smoking Rules

Singapore has very strict laws prohibiting the usage / possession / distribution of drugs. The punishment is merciless: at best, the drug addict is forcibly sent for treatment or in a prison cell, at worst – the case ends in a gallows. For citizens of foreign countries, the courts do not make an exception.

As part of the anti-smoking campaign, smoking was banned here in all public places.

It is allowed to drag on a cigarette anywhere on the street, away from bus stops, in special zones of restaurants and public buildings. The fine for breaking the rules is from 500 to 1000 SGD.

So, since 2011, electronic cigarettes have been banned in Singapore as well. The Health Organization of Singapore expressed its opinion that this type of smoking can lead to tobacco dependence among non-smokers. The fine for selling e-cigarettes is $ 5,000.

The ban on smoking hookahs was imposed in 2016.

Bans and fines in Singapore

Things to Avoid in Singapore as a Tourist

Durian is not allowed in public transport. People have different opinions regarding this fruit. Someone thinks that its creamy aroma is quite pleasant, while others think that the stench is incredibly strong.

You cannot show disrespect to different religions. Since Singapore is a multicultural country, if you decide to visit a mosque, temple or other place of religious worship, be sure to dress appropriately.

Don’t call people by name. Mister, miss or mrs plus the person’s last name will sound more polite.

Tipping is not accepted in Singapore

Even if you really enjoyed the cuisine or the service provided in cafe or restaurant, you should not leave a tip. Remember that in Singapore, tips are already included in the bill and called as service tax. Leaving extra money in this country is disrespecting local rules.

Be considerate with gifts

If you are invited to an event in Singapore where you need to exchange gifts, please specify in advance what the person wants. Singapore is a multinational country; what is acceptable for one nation can offend another.

For example, you should not give handkerchiefs or watches to Chinese. And an Indian or Malay who profess the Muslim religion should not be presented with gifts made of genuine leather, especially pork.

If you have to communicate with the Chinese and you are offered a gift, refuse it firstly and accept it only after the second offer. This will show that you are not a greedy person. Don’t open the gift in the presence of the person who gave it. If you are going to make a gift yourself, do not use a white wrapper – this is the color of mourning.

Goods for Import and Export

There are strict rules that tell tourists what cannot be brought into Singapore. These include tobacco in any form (chewing, snuff, instant, for hookahs), and electronic cigarettes are prohibited to import. The ban applies to lighters that mimic pistols or other weapons, erotic / pornographic magazines.

Among the drugs that cannot be brought into Singapore are strong drugs or over-the-counter drugs containing narcotic substances.

Meat products, fish, alcohol, cigarettes are regulated by customs. You can, for example, import up to 200 cigarettes and 1 liter of any alcoholic beverage.

There are no special restrictions on the export of goods from the country; problems usually arise for those who have especially valuable antiques with them. In this case, special permission may be required.

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