I will be traveling from Australia to Austria, transferring in Abu Dhabi. Is it alright for me to bring a vibrator in the check-in luggage, or are there laws against that?
It is approximately 17cm long. Are there any precautions to take?
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If you're merely transiting, it's unlikely to be an issue.– Michael HamptonCommented Dec 9, 2015 at 9:31
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5Since the sale of such toys to adults in Singapore is legal, I am not sure if this would be a pertinent question at all (if we split it separately into Signapore and UAE) unless the toy is specifically a sharp tool that can hurt people (in a strict safety sense)– skvCommented Dec 9, 2015 at 9:37
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Protip: if it gets detected, don't claim it's a bomb. (Someone allegedly once did that)– Golden CuyCommented Dec 10, 2015 at 11:54
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3 Answers
Upon landing at Abu Dhabi; you and your luggage will be subject to an x-ray scan. At this point, any suspicious items will be confiscated.
Although you are not importing items into the UAE (as you never enter the country, but are in transit) nevertheless any goods deemed inappropriate will be seized.
You do run the risk of having the item confiscated but nothing more.
answered Dec 9, 2015 at 12:07
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Does this hold for checked bags, too, or just cabin luggage?– UrbanaCommented Dec 9, 2015 at 12:24
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7Do you have a reference that this does happen to transit passengers' checked bags? I don't doubt this is true for passengers whose destination is Abu Dhabi, but it sounds strange for transit passengers who haven't legally-speaking crossed the UAE border. Abu Dhabi is actively promoting itself as a transit terminal, I'd be surprised if they'd do something like this that might complicate business Commented Dec 9, 2015 at 12:33
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2@user568458 Even when you are in transit and haven't passed immigration or customs, you are still on UAE soil and must expect to be subject to most UAE laws. A similar situation would be if you fly between two locations, in which cannabis is legalized, but transit through a third location where cannabis is illegal. Even if you for the purpose of immigration or customs don't enter the transit country, you would still be breaking the local laws by being in posession of an illegal substance. Commented Dec 9, 2015 at 17:30
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1@user568458 The IATA information page on customs rules for Saudi Arabia lists especially alcohol and pork products as prohibited for transit passengers. I am not sure why you expect transit passengers to be exempt from general laws in the country they are transiting? iatatravelcentre.com/… Commented Dec 9, 2015 at 23:25
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1@TorEinarJaenbjo In the specific case of the UAE they are not interested in tarnishing their reputation as a safe place for westerners to transit. Of course they could insist on applying their regulations to transit passengers, but as a matter of policy, it is sort of a "don't ask, don't tell" on sex/pornography and similar materials. Drugs and live animals are a different story.– CalchasCommented Dec 10, 2015 at 3:36
it gets confiscated and you get a fine of $250 USD and get asked to sign plenty of documents that you did that and that you wont do it again, all documents will be in arabic and not translated and they dont care about the fact that you cant read !!! it was the worst experience ever i hated the way i was treated and will never again stop or transit through abu dhabi
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3Thanka for sharing your experience. Was your item in carry-on luggage, or checked luggage? Commented Dec 22, 2017 at 10:53
I brought sex toys to Dubai from the USA on a few occasions, never had an issue. I think the custom will let go if it's few toys but not more as it will seem like you are a seller of sex toys.
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2Given the reports in some of the other answers, I'm not sure "I think..." is really a good basis for answering. Maybe you were just lucky. Commented Jul 1, 2019 at 17:48