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UK in Singapore
London 07:57, 12 Feb 2012
Singapore 15:57, 12 Feb 2012
Last updated at 3:22 (UK time) 6 Dec 2011

Local laws and customs

Death Penalty

The mandatory death penalty exists in Singapore for certain capital offences e.g. drug trafficking. Murder, weapons offences and abduction may also attract the death penalty.

Corporal punishment (rattan cane)

Corporal punishment may be imposed for lesser crimes including overstaying, drug offences, rape, rioting, outrage of modesty, air rage, extortion and vandalism.

Outrage of modesty (men behaving inappropriately towards women, including touching) is a serious offence and may attract corporal punishment or/and imprisonment and/or a fine. British nationals visiting and residing in Singapore have been prosecuted in Singapore for outrage of modesty. Many bars and nightclubs have surveillance equipment, which has been used as evidence in outrage of modesty cases.

The Singaporean authorities will prosecute cases of air rage within their jurisdiction. The maximum sentence is seven years imprisonment, and corporal punishment (the rattan cane).

Drink Driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence in Singapore, and the traffic police regularly carry out breath tests. Sentences can be up to 10 years in prison.

Other offences

On-the-spot fines are common. You can be fined for smoking indoors and in public places, for littering, jaywalking and eating (including chewing gum) or drinking on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train system.  Bringing chewing gum into Singapore is banned.

Police permission is required for certain kinds of public gatherings in Singapore. You should therefore avoid street gatherings and public demonstrations, which might place you at risk.

The following items should not to be brought into Singapore as they are prohibited under Singapore law.

  • Chewing tobacco and imitation tobacco products
  • Chewing gum
  • Cigarette lighters of pistol or revolver shape
  • Controlled drugs and psychotropic substances
  • Endangered species of wildlife and their by-products
  • Firecrackers
  • Obscene articles, publications, video tapes/discs and software
  • Reproduction of copyright publications, video tapes, video compact discs, laser discs, records or cassettes
  • Seditious and treasonable materials

For more information visit the Singapore Customs website or Singapore Police Force website.


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Consular Services Application Hours

The Consular Section is open to the public for consular service applications from
Monday-Friday: 09:00-12:00 and
additionally on Wednesdays only 14:00-15:00
excluding High Commission holidays.

For emergency consular assistance:
Tel: (65) 6424 4200
Fax: (65) 6424 4264
Consular.Singapore@fco.gov.uk