You might be planning a trip sometime. In case you don’t know, you can enjoy yourselves and bring sex toys with you on your trip abroad. Whether you’re alone or you’re with a partner, you can use sex toys around the globe. Unfortunately, not everywhere. There are some countries where sex toys are banned. Or at the very least, have broad obscenity laws in which sex toys are included.
Moreover, they prohibit bringing sex toys in their country so you might wanna check them out if you want to take your sex toys with you. That way, you can avoid travel complications by knowing these countries. This will prevent your precious sex toys from being confiscated and thrown or worse, you from being arrested.
Here are the countries where sex toys are banned:
1 Maldives
[insert new illustrated picture]
Photo taken from Booking.com
As much as you’ve probably dreamed of having your honeymoon in Maldives or actually just getting there on your own, sex toys are not allowed in this known destination.
According to the Maldives Customs Service website, sex toys fall under “pornographic materials.” It is a prohibited item. According to Maldives customs regulations, these items are considered prohibited goods, and bringing them into the country can lead to confiscation by Customs at the airport.
Importantly, it doesn’t mean you’ll be arrested or denied entry. They’ll confiscate the item then return it to you on your day of departure.
This law stems from the country’s public morality, rooted in the Maldives’ Islamic traditions. We all know Islamic countries are conservative and can be pretty strict about upholding morality and decency.
So if you’re thinking about wrapping up the romantic experience with some sex toys, the Maldives is excluded from your list.
Sold Out
New
2 Saudi Arabia
[insert new illustrated picture]
Photo taken from The National.
It’s not really much of a surprise but as much as Saudi Arabia offers beautiful sand dunes, and ancient tombs, you can’t bring your sex toys. The country offers countless excitements for the adventurous people among us but not all fun is allowed. Under Islamic Law, sex toys are “pornographic materials.” As such, they are banned. You can ride a camel but you will not be riding your favorite vibrator as this may get confiscated.
There’s even the first “halal sex store” in Saudi Arabia, but they don’t carry sex toys. They’re a “Sharia-compliant” sex shop in Mecca that sells halal products for Muslims, except that there’s no vibrators or blow-up dolls. Just some scented candles, oils, and creams aiming to improve the atmosphere and increase your sensuality.
3 The United Arab Emirates
[insert new illustrated picture]
Photo taken from Amideast.
The UAE, with its gleaming cities and luxury resorts, might look super modern. But when it comes to sex toys, the rules are very traditional and strict. Under Article 362 of the UAE Penal Code, items that are imported or possessed for sexual purposes (like vibrators, dildos, or similar devices) are generally considered part of “obscene or immoral material” that violates public‑morality laws and can be confiscated by customs. In some cases, people caught with such items may face fines, questioning, or even legal trouble depending on how the authorities interpret the law.
4 Thailand
[insert new illustrated picture]
Photo taken from Croda.
Thailand, the land of the “ladyboys.”
This well-known destination is probably one of the most affordable countries where you can spend your first trip abroad, as a traveler or backpacker. It’s also rich in culture, adventures, and delicious food. You may even think they’re liberated because of their ladyboys. But nope. Under their local laws, sex toys are illegal in this place as they fall under Thailand’s list of prohibited goods, specifically “obscene objects.”
Although enforcement is uneven, as stalls and stores openly sell sex toys to the public and online, inhabitants and travellers never face trouble. However, the law still stands.
So, you can hang out in their red districts, but make sure to leave your sex toys at home.
5 Vietnam
[insert new illustrated picture]
Photo taken from Trails of Indochina.
In 2011, the General Department of Vietnam Customs announced that Vietnam officials will not allow the entry of sex toys into the country.
Moreover on this , Vietnam’s customs law bans pornographic and obscene materials from entering the country. And that’s where sex toys fall in practice. Under the list of prohibited imported items, materials deemed offensive to local culture (such as pornography and other sexually explicit goods) are not allowed, and customs officials will confiscate them if found in your luggage.
When you try to enter Vietnam with a sex toy in your bag, you’ll be forced to give it up to custom officials. Unlike all other countries on this list, however, Vietnam does give back your sex toy the day you exit the country. So as much as the people are nice, they’re still very traditional.
And if you think you can get away and might as well try sneaking in your sex toy, just don’t. Respect their laws, dude.
6 India
[insert new illustrated picture]
Photo taken from Lonely Planet.
India is probably one of the most colorful countries in the world. From their culture to their food, it’s just vibrating with all kinds of amazing places and people. You won’t be feeling any vibrations from your sex toy though, at least not legally.
The Indian Penal Code states that any book, drawing, figure, or object “shall be deemed to be obscene” if it triggers sexual thoughts and behaviors. And if it does, it is banned from the country. This means that many sex products are legal and illegal depending on how they look and how they’re sold.
For example, a wand massager that doesn’t look like a penis is legal while realistic dildos and sex dolls are not. In India, basically, a sex toy is only illegal when it looks like a dick or a vagina. Otherwise, it’s okay. Quite confusing, eh?
Only 2 left
Hot
7 Malaysia
[insert new illustrated picture]
Photo taken from Malvern International Academy.
Malaysia is another popular tourist destination because it is affordable. Witness the tall buildings and taste the spicy foods. But don’t, and I mean, don’t dare bring your sex toys in the country.
According to Section 292 of the Malaysian Penal Code, it is illegal not only to own but also to sell and distribute any obscene items such as sex toys. Malaysian officials have interpreted to include many sex toys; if convicted, individuals can face up to three years imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Home Ministry enforcement has even led to large seizures of sex toys, arrests, and destruction of confiscated items under Malaysia’s printing and publications laws. In other words, it’s safer to leave your sex toys at home.
8 Bangladesh
[insert new illustrated picture]
Bangladesh is known for its warm hospitality, rich culture, and bustling cities. But if we’ret alking about sex toys, things can get complex.
There’s no specific law that clearly says “sex toys are illegal”, yet a mix of obscenity, customs, and pornography laws means sex toys often fall into a legally restricted category. Under Section 292 of the Penal Code, the sale, distribution, public display, import, or advertising of “obscene objects” is prohibited, and this provision has been used to challenge the sale and marketing of adult products.
In practice, law enforcement seized imported sex toys and arrested sellers. For example, police in Dhaka arrested people in 2021 for selling adult toys online, citing illegal imports and digital platform violations. Bangladesh’s Pornography Control Act of 2012 also prohibits the production, distribution, and production of pornography. In turn, authorities also sometimes interpret broad obscenity laws to include sexually explicit goods.
Culturally, sex toys are considered taboo and immoral to the country’s beliefs. Hence, it’s not something openly sold in stores yet discreet sold online. As much as possible, you shouldn’t import or bring obvious sex toys to respect the legal and local norms.
Summary
- Certain countries have strict rules and regulations surrounding sex toys, from full-on ban or being classified as a prohibited item.
- Most of those countries usually follow certain religions that are conservative with their own beliefs in place.
- Some consequences of bringing your sex toy to any of those countries would be confiscation (with or without guarantee of return), paying a fine, going to jail.
- It’s important to fact-check every country you want to go to.
- If you really want to go to a country listed above, leave your sex toys at home.
References
Bangladesh. (1860). The Penal Code, 1860: Section 292 (Sale etc. of obscene books, objects). Government of Bangladesh. https://www.unodc.org/cld/uploads/res/document/bgd/1860/the_penal_code_html/Bangladesh_The_Penal_Code_1860.pdf
Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers’ Association comments on online adult toy sales. (2021, February 28). New Age. https://www.newagebd.net/print/article/131385
Embassy of the Republic of Maldives in Belgium. (n.d.). FAQs: For foreigners. https://be.mdvmission.gov.mv/index.php/en/consular/for-foreigners/faqs
Import and Export Prohibited Goods List (Section 17, Customs Act, 2023). (2025). Bangladesh Customs. https://hub.bangladeshcustoms.gov.bd/storage/resource/1748855078_Import%20%26%20Export%20Prohibited%20Goods%20-%20Customs%20Act%2C%202023%20%28English%29.pdf
India Today. (2023, April 6). What Indian laws say about porn, sex toys. India Today. https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/what-indian-laws-say-about-porn-sex-toys-2356590-2023-04-06
Khaama Press. (2021, February 15). Halal shop to open in Saudi Arabia to sell adult toys. https://www.khaama.com/halal-shop-to-open-in-saudi-arabia-to-sell-adult-toys-1020/
Life in Saudi Arabia. (n.d.). List of prohibited items to bring to Saudi Arabia. https://lifeinsaudiarabia.net/list-of-prohibited-items-to-bring/
Pornography Control Act legal overview. (2024). In ASA University Review. https://asaub.edu.bd/data/asaubreview/v6n2sl18.pdf
Phuket Insider. (2025). What’s illegal in Thailand – bans and laws. https://phuket-insider.com/en/blog/whats-forbidden-in-thailand/
Sex Toys in Dubai. (n.d.). SexToysInDubai.com. https://sextoysindubai.com/sex-toy-supply-in-subai/
Tổng Cục Hải Quan. (2011, October 6). Công văn 4891/TCHQ‑GSQL về thủ tục nhập khẩu đối với đồ chơi tình dục (sextoy) theo dạng hành lý, quà biếu, quà tặng [Official customs directive]. Thư Viện Nhà Đất. https://thuviennhadat.vn/vbpl/cong-van-4891-tchq-gsql-thu-tuc-nhap-khau-do-choi-tinh-duc-130139.html
