Buying alcohol and drinking in public

Brunei’s strict sharia law bans the sale of alcohol. But it’s not all bad news for drinkers: Non-Muslims over the age of 17 have a generous duty free allowance. You can bring two litres of liquor or 12 cans of beer into the country every 48 hours. Fill in a customs form at the airport and keep it with you at all times in case of an inspection. Tourists can drink alcohol in hotel rooms or private residences as long as they’re not intoxicated in public.

LGBTQ

Sadly, homosexuality is strictly illegal in Brunei. Even if it’s consensual, it’s still against the law. In recent years, the Sultanate has come under scrutiny for wanting to punish those found guilty with death. However, it’s still unclear what the status is as of 2018 and how it will affect non-citizens. Close contact between members of the same sex is quite common. Just don’t display any outward affection and you should be fine.

Eating during Ramadan

During the fasting month, it’s illegal in Brunei for anyone to eat, drink or smoke in public. Muslim residents could face severe reprimands for breaking fast without a convincing reason. This law also applies to non-Muslim tourists and offenders can face a fine of up to B$4,000 ($2,932 USD) or a one-year prison sentence. We suggest avoiding Brunei during Ramadan. Besides, almost everything will be shut during daylight hours anyway.

Pornography

As with most Muslim countries, possession and distribution of pornography is strictly illegal in Brunei. The definition and criteria vary depending on who you ask. And some might think that a bikini selfie in the Maldives might be considered pornographic. The whole concept of sex in Brunei is very different to Europe and the West. Just be careful and mindful of your pictures on Facebook and Instagram!

Drugs

While almost every country bans certain drugs, Brunei is on an entirely different level. Possession usually meets a mandatory death sentence. And, believe it or not, having everyday over-the-counter or prescription medication might be illegal in Brunei too. Double and triple check everything before a trip in the same way as you would before visiting Dubai or the Middle East.