Should I Pack My Sex Toys When I Travel?
Packing, whether traveling solo or with a partner, often means taking your favorite things—and things you’ll need with you to ensure you have a good time. But should that extend to what you keep in your bedside drawer? And what are the rules?
If there is one thing we all know about the LGBTQ+ community, it’s that we are pretty creative in the bedroom and that we like to express that ‘creativity’ sometimes when we travel.
A big part of our repertoire can include the varied sex toys available for our pleasure and wellness. But, before you pack your dildos and vibrators or your cuffs, clamps, and chains for that matter, we’ve assembled a list of potential destinations that are popular with LGBTQ+ travelers, but are a big no-no when it comes to packing sex toys and accessories.
Thailand
Thailand is home to a thriving sex industry, with an estimated 30,000 active sex workers in Bangkok alone. It is a country famous for its ‘ping pong shows’ (it’s exactly what you think it is, and if you’re not sure check out Priscilla, Queen of the Desert), ladyboy culture, and sex festivals; including the Bangkok Fetish Ball. The country has also made efforts to ensure LGBTQ+ tourists feel welcome, but perhaps leave the dildos at home. Sex toys fall under Thailand’s list of prohibited goods. They are considered obscene objects and cannot be brought into the country. They will be confiscated by customs and held until you leave.
Vietnam
Vietnam has come a long way in recent years in terms of its views on homosexuality, even though same-sex marriage remains prohibited. Just this year homosexuality and transgenderism were declassified as illnesses and conversion therapy was banned. Same-sex sexual activity is legal, transgender individuals have the legal right to gender-affirming surgery, and LGBT+ people can openly serve in the military. The country is welcoming and friendly towards the queer community for sure, but that welcome does not extend to our adult novelties. No gentle traveler, your anal beads and bullets have no place in Vietnam. Much like Thailand, if you are caught bringing these sorts of things into the country, they will be confiscated and held for you until departure.
India
You may be surprised to learn that the land that gave us The Kama Sutra has a pretty conservative attitude towards sex toys, but it’s true. With the decriminalization of homosexuality in India in 2018, views about sex and sexuality have shifted but this apparently does not extend to sex toys. While you may be able to slip a toy through customs for personal use, you will be stopped if you possess any sort of quantity. Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code deems the sale, advertisement, distribution, and public exhibition of obscene books, sketches, drawings, or any other “obscene” object, illegal. In other words, if you are thought to be importing sex toys, you’re cooked. In addition, any massagers that are phallic shaped are prohibited. Our advice is to not take any chances and skip the strap-ons and rabbits.
Egypt
It’s probably not surprising to see Egypt on this list. Any country with an ultra-conservative government, such as Dubai and Saudi Arabia, has a similar ban in place but we include Egypt on this list because it is a destination for some LGBTQ+ travelers. The allure of the desert, the pyramids, and thousands of years of history are several reasons to visit. Plus, several LGBT-owned companies curate trips to the region including High End Journeys, among others. Just make sure your neck massager is used for just that singular purpose and nothing else.
Alabama, United States
Yes, that’s right even in the good old US of A, there is an active ban on sex toys. The Anti-Obscenity Enforcement Act of 1998 is an Alabama statute that criminalizes the sale of sex toys. The law has been the subject of extensive litigation and has generated considerable national controversy, yet remains on the books. The statute prohibits “any person to knowingly distribute, possess with intent to distribute, or offer or agree to distribute any obscene material or any device designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs for anything of pecuniary value. First-time offenders face a $10,000 fine and a year in prison, while repeat offenders can face up to ten years in prison.” Yikes!
Our Tips for Traveling With Toys
If you absolutely must travel with toys, be sure to travel with sex toys that are designed to look like something other than what they are.
1. Discreet Sex Toys:
This is a common and straightforward term used to describe sex toys that are not easily recognizable as such.
The term emphasizes their subtle design and ability to blend in with other objects or remain inconspicuous. An example of this is Familiar‘s Orbit. Based on a classic vibrating personal massager, this tried and true design has been improved upon with 10 vibration modes to tailor your experience to your gravitational pull. It’s a powerful yet very innocent-looking toy! It’s our pick.
2. Stealth Sex Toys:
Similar to “discreet”, “stealth” implies a hidden or concealed nature, suggesting these toys are meant to be kept secret or unnoticed by others. An example would be necklace vibrators and ‘pleasure jewelry’ such as that made by female founder of CRAVE, Ti Chang.
3. Camouflaged Sex Toys:
This term directly refers to the way these toys are disguised to look like everyday objects, such as a flashlight, rubber ducky or, rather unwisely, hand grenades (see note below). The Aurora Duo doesn’t look like a sex toy, but rather remedial a tool. You could even make up a good story about what it is.
4. Subtle Sex Toys:
This term emphasizes the understated design and lack of overtly sexual features in these toys. An example would be a vibrator disguised as lipstick such as the Wink+ bullet, by CRAVE.
What Are the TSA Guidelines?
- Checked Baggage: Sex toys are generally allowed in checked baggage although it is likely your luggage could still be opened and searched by customs officials.
- Carry-on Baggage:
- Non-Battery Powered: You can bring these in your carry-on without issue.
- Battery-Powered: Remove the batteries before traveling and pack them separately.
- TSA Guidelines: The TSA doesn’t explicitly ban sex toys, but the final decision on whether an item is allowed through security rests with the TSA officer. And you know what that can be like, when it comes down to one grumpy or punitive official, as the case may be.
- International Travel: If you’re traveling internationally, it’s crucial to check the laws and regulations of your destination country, as they may differ from US guidelines. Anti-terror initiatives have made traveling with all devices complicated. There have been instances where grenade-shaped sex toys have been mistaken for real explosives. In one case, a jogger in Germany reported a bag containing a suspicious object, which turned out to be a rubber sex toy shaped like a grenade, along with condoms and lubricant. And a man in Pennsylvania used a sex toy disguised as a bomb during a bank robbery. So TSA agents will be on the lookout for anything you are carrying that may be an IED (Improvised Explosive Device.)
- Transparency: If a TSA agent asks about the contents of your bag, you can simply state that you are traveling with your personal massaging device. But anything that can be classified as pornographic material or anatomically evocative is best left at home.
