Respecting local laws and cultures, including medicines

Laws and customs that feel normal at home can be offences somewhere else, and not knowing is rarely accepted as an excuse. Respecting local rules keeps you safe and makes you a welcome guest.

Research before you go

• Read your government's travel advice for local laws and customs, as well as entry rules. It often covers dress, photography, alcohol, drugs, behaviour in public and religious customs.
• Learn a few polite phrases in the local language, and how people greet each other.
• Find out about religious festivals and holidays during your trip, which can change opening hours and expected behaviour.
• Remember that you are subject to the laws of the country you are in, whatever your nationality.

Medicines: the rule people forget

• Some medicines that are legal or sold over the counter at home are controlled or banned elsewhere. For example, UK advice for Japan says it is illegal to carry some common medicines there, including cold and flu products with pseudoephedrine, some painkillers with codeine, and some allergy medicines.
• TravelHealthPro advises checking the rules with the destination's embassy or official travel advice before you go.
• Carry medicines in their original labelled packaging, in your hand luggage, with a copy of the prescription and a doctor's letter listing them by generic name.
• Pack enough for your whole trip plus extra for delays, so you do not have to buy medicines abroad, where falsified medicines can be a risk.
• Cannabis-based products, including CBD, are banned in many countries, and even transiting through some airports with them can cause serious problems.

Bringing medicines into the UAE

• The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) controls the import of medicines for personal use. Narcotic, psychotropic, controlled and semi-controlled medicines need approval.
• UK travel advice says you must get approval in advance for these medicines, normally processed within 5 working days, and that without it the medicine will not be allowed in and you may be prosecuted.
• Apply online through MOHAP's 'Issue of Permit to Import Medicines for Personal Use' service. Gulf News reports the permit is free and you need a prescription issued within the last 3 months and a medical report issued within the last year.
• Quantities are limited: UK advice says up to 3 months' supply for visitors, reduced to 1 month for medicines on the approval list.
• Ask your doctor whether your medicine is controlled, and check MOHAP's lists well before you travel.

Respecting culture in the UAE and when hosting visitors

• UK travel advice for the UAE says not to photograph people without their permission, and that photographing some government and military sites is illegal.
• Swearing and rude gestures, including online, are offences in the UAE. Public displays of affection are frowned upon.
• In malls and other public places, modest dress is expected; swimwear is for beaches and pools.
• During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or chewing gum in public during daylight hours, and keep music and noise down.
• There is zero tolerance for drugs-related offences in the UAE, and products containing CBD can be illegal.
• When you travel, show the same respect for other countries' customs that you would expect visitors to show in the UAE.

Being a good guest anywhere

• Ask before photographing people, places of worship or private homes.
• Dress for the place: cover up for religious sites, and follow signs and local custom.
• Queue, tip and greet the local way; watch what others do if you are not sure.
• If you make a mistake, apologise sincerely and calmly. The Etiquette module has more on manners in different settings.