Local laws and customs
Death Penalty
Corporal punishment (rattan cane)
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 will be fined for smoking in any public place or indoor restaurant, for chewing gum on the Mass Rapid Transit (MTR) system or littering. Jaywalking is also prohibited and may result in an on-the-spot fine.
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 considered prohibited under Singaporean law.
- Chewing tobacco and imitation tobacco products
- 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 Section in Singapore
The Consular Section is open to public (for passport applications and consular assistance) from 08:45 to midday, Monday to Friday excluding High Commission holidays.
View
British High Commission location map
For submission of passport: 08:30-12:30
For collection of passports only: 15:00-16:00
Tel: (65) 6424 4200
Fax: (65) 6424 4264
Consular.Singapore@fco.gov.uk
