Forbidden Fruit: Countries Where Adult Toys are Prohibited

Discover which countries have banned adult toys and why. Learn more about the laws surrounding sexuality and pleasure in this informative article.

As the world becomes increasingly liberal and open-minded, it’s surprising to find that some countries still prohibit the sale of adult toys. From the United States to Canada, the UK, Australia, and beyond, there are nations where the production, importation, or sale of sex-related items is strictly prohibited. In this article, we’ll delve into the laws surrounding adult toys in different parts of the world, exploring which countries have banned these intimate items and why.

In the US, attitudes towards sexuality and pleasure are complex and varied. While some states, such as Texas and Alabama, have laws prohibiting the sale of sex toys (known as “obscene devices”), others, like California and New York, allow their sale with certain regulations.

Alabama

Did you know that selling sex toys is illegal in Alabama? It’s a unique example of how law and personal freedoms intersect in the United States. The 1998 Anti-Obscenity Enforcement Act explicitly targets the sale of adult sex toys, defining them as anything “designed or marketed for the stimulation of human genital organs”. This means that their sale is effectively criminalized within the state. Producing, distributing, or even possessing obscene materials with the intent to distribute them is also illegal in Alabama. Offenders can face fines of up to $10,000 and imprisonment up to one year. Repeated offenses can lead to even harsher penalties.

While enforcement of these laws is not that frequent, both residents and visitors need to be aware of the restrictions. Interestingly, tourists can bring their sex toys into the state, but buying them within Alabama’s borders is quite challenging.

Mississippi

Sex toys are illegal to sell in Mississippi. Under state law, it is unlawful to distribute or sell devices designed for stimulating human genital organs. The wording is similar to Alabama’s state law, and while enforcements for residents and visitors is infrequent, you may be out of luck if trying to purchase a sex toy here.

Texas

In Texas, the law on sex toys is complex. The Texas obscenity statute, introduced in 1973 and last updated in 2003, initially prohibited the sale of sex toys. However, in 2008, a U.S. District Judge declared the law “unconstitutional and unenforceable”.

The 1973 statute defined an “obscene device” as a device, such as a dildo or artificial vagina, mainly designed for stimulating human genital organs. This is a case of a law remaining on the books long after it’s been rendered obsolete, and “unenforceable”.

For instance, in 1998, the Supreme Court struck down a law banning the sale of sex toys in Missouri, ruling that it violated the right to privacy. However, some states continue to prohibit their sale or possession. In Texas, for example, possessing or distributing “obscene devices” can result in fines and imprisonment.

In Canada, adult toys are legal and widely available. While there may be certain restrictions on their sale in certain provinces, such as Quebec, where they must be sold through licensed retailers, the overall attitude towards sexuality is more permissive than in many other countries.

In 1998, a Canadian court struck down a law prohibiting the sale of sex toys, ruling that it violated the right to privacy and freedom from arbitrary state interference. Since then, adult toys have been legal for adults to purchase and use throughout most of Canada.

Until 2000, sex toys were illegal to sell in the UK. The Obscenity Act prohibited the manufacture, importation, and sale of “obscene” materials, including adult toys. However, with the repeal of this act, adult toys are now legal to purchase and use.

In the UK, attitudes towards sexuality have evolved significantly over the years. In 1967, the Sexual Offences Act decriminalized homosexuality, while in 2000, the Obscenity Act was repealed, allowing for the legal sale of adult toys.

In Australia, laws surrounding adult toys vary by state. While some states, like New South Wales, allow their sale without restrictions, others, such as Victoria, require a license to sell sex-related items.

In 1998, the Australian government repealed a law prohibiting the sale of sex toys, ruling that it was unconstitutional. Since then, adult toys have been legal for adults to purchase and use throughout most of Australia.

1. Maldives: The Maldives has strict regulations against sex toys. Bringing them into the country could lead to confiscation or legal consequences.
2. Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia prohibits the import and use of sex toys. Travelers should avoid carrying them to avoid legal issues.
3. Malaysia, also has an obscenity law (Laws of Malaysia, Act 574; Penal Code Section 292) that encompasses sex toys. Possession is punishable by fines and up to three years of imprisonment.
4. Philippines: According to the Republic Act 10863, adult toys are considered obscene or immoral in the Philippines and are prohibited¹. However, there are adult stores in the country, so enforcement may vary.
5. Thailand is widely perceived as a sexually liberal country, in part due to Bangkok’s famous red-light districts. So why are sex toys illegal in Thailand? The country’s criminal code (Section 287) prohibits trading and distributing pornographic materials or “any other thing which is obscene.” This includes sex toys. If you are caught with a sex toy in Thailand, you may face up to three years imprisonment or a $2,000 (60,000 Thai baht) fine.
6. India While India doesn’t technically have a law barring the sale of sex toys, the country does have an obscenity law (Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code) that can be applied to sex toys, including vibrators. If you are caught with a sex toy in India, your item can be confiscated and you may face penalties.
7. Indonesia (Including Bali) has an obscenity law (Pornography Law No 44 of 2008, also known as UU pornografi Nomor 44 Tahun 2008 tentang Pornografi) that can apply to sex toys — but it’s open to interpretation by the official who may be confiscating the device. Why are sex toys illegal in Bali?They’re not exactly illegal — sex toys are not specifically forbidden in the legal text — but the island of Bali belongs to Indonesia, and the government enforces its obscenity law there as well as on the mainland. In 2022, Bali airport officials burned around $63,000 (or 980,734,190 Indonesian Rupiah) worth of contraband items, including over 400 personal devices. Rules are rules, but this is a little too Fahrenheit 451 for us. The good news is that the consequence of being caught with a sex toy in Indonesia is simply confiscation.
8. Vietnam  banned the import of sex toys. Unlike officials in the countries listed above, however, Vietnamese customs officers will hang onto your sex toys and return them to you when you leave the country.

In these countries, the production, importation, or sale of sex-related items can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment. In some cases, even possessing or viewing explicit materials can be considered a crime.

While many countries have relaxed their attitudes towards sexuality and pleasure, there are still those that prohibit adult toys outright. In countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Afghanistan, where Islamic law governs, any sexual activity or material is strictly prohibited.

As we navigate the complex world of sexuality and pleasure, it’s essential to understand the laws surrounding adult toys. From the United States to Canada, the UK, Australia, and beyond, there are nations where these intimate items are prohibited or regulated.

Remember that airport security screenings can detect items in your luggage, so it’s essential to be discreet. If you’re unsure, consider leaving adult toys at home or researching local laws thoroughly.