Country Rules That Catch Travelers OutWhat to Know Before You Land

China

• Power banks need the 3C mark. On flights within mainland China, power banks must carry China's CCC certification (the “3C” logo) printed on the device itself. Ones without it, or from a recalled batch, are confiscated at security. The rule is written for domestic flights, but many airports check on international departures too, so assume yours will be checked. You can bring an uncertified one in, but you may lose it on the way out.
• You probably need a visa. US citizens aren't on China's 30-day visa-free list, so a regular trip needs a tourist visa before you go. The exception is the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit: it works if you're continuing on to a third country, like New York to Shanghai to Tokyo, but not on a round trip back to the US.
• Your usual apps won't work. Google, Instagram, WhatsApp and many other services are blocked. Download offline maps and translation packs before you go, and tell people back home how to reach you.
• Pay the way locals pay. Most places expect Alipay or WeChat Pay, and both now accept foreign cards. Set them up at home, while you still have time to sort out any verification hiccups.

Japan

• Some everyday US medicines are banned. Stimulant ADHD medications like Adderall can't be brought in, even with a prescription. Neither can decongestants with pseudoephedrine, like Sudafed and many “D” allergy pills. Check every bottle in your bag, including the ones in your toiletry kit.
• Bringing more than a month's supply? Many allowed medications need an import certificate (Yunyu Kakunin-sho) applied for in advance through Japan's Ministry of Health. Under a month's supply of most prescriptions is fine without one.
• Tax-free shopping now works as a refund. From November 1, 2026, you pay the full price, tax included, at tax-free shops and get the tax back at the airport when you leave. Keep your purchases unused and in your carry-on, and scan your passport at the tax-free kiosk before you check your bags. Once a bag is checked, anything in it doesn't count.
• The departure tax is now ¥3,000. It tripled on July 1, 2026. It's usually built into your plane ticket, so there's nothing to do, but don't be surprised by the line on your fare.

South Korea

• Fill in the e-Arrival card. Since January 1, 2026, Korea has replaced the paper arrival card with an online e-Arrival card. If you don't have a K-ETA, submit it within three days before you land, counting the day you arrive.
• K-ETA is optional, for now. US citizens don't need a K-ETA, Korea's online travel authorization, for trips through December 31, 2026. The exemption is set to end after that, so if you're flying in 2027, check before you book. Applying for one anyway lets you skip the e-Arrival card.

Singapore

• No vapes, at all. E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to bring in, carry or use. Since September 2025 the penalties have been tougher, and foreign visitors caught with one can be fined, deported and banned from coming back. Leave them at home.
• No chewing gum. Bringing gum into the country isn't allowed. It's a small thing, but it's real.
• Some medicines need approval. Certain sleep, anxiety and pain medications need permission in advance. Check before you pack prescriptions.
• Submit the SG Arrival Card. It's free on the ICA website or the MyICA app, within three days before you arrive. Skip any site that charges for it.

Thailand

• Fill in the Digital Arrival Card. Every foreign visitor completes the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within three days before arriving. It's free on the official site, tdac.immigration.go.th, so skip the lookalike sites that charge for it.
• No entry fee yet. Thailand has talked about a 300 baht tourist entry fee for years, but it isn't being collected. If a site asks you to pay it, that's not official.
• Vapes are illegal here too. Possession can mean a fine or worse, and enforcement against tourists does happen.

Bali, Indonesia

• Pay the tourist levy. International visitors to Bali pay a one-time tourism levy of IDR 150,000 (about $9). Pay it before you arrive through the official Love Bali site or app.
• Fill in the All Indonesia card. All arrivals to Indonesia now submit the free All Indonesia arrival card, at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id or in the app, within 72 hours before landing. It's separate from your visa on arrival.

United Kingdom

• Get an ETA before you fly. US citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation to visit the UK, and airlines won't let you board without one. It costs £20 and lasts two years. Apply on the official GOV.UK site or app.
• Layovers count if you go through the border. Connecting at Heathrow or Manchester without leaving the international zone doesn't need an ETA. If you have to go through passport control, for example to recheck a bag, you need one.

Europe (Schengen countries)

• Expect fingerprints at the border. The EU's Entry/Exit System is now fully running. It registers your fingerprints and a face photo the first time you enter, so give yourself extra time at passport control.
• ETIAS isn't here yet. The EU's separate online travel authorization for visa-free visitors, including Americans, still has no start date. When it launches it'll cost €20, and the EU will announce it months ahead. Until then, any site asking you to pay for one isn't official.

Venice, Italy

• Day-trippers pay to enter. On set peak days, mostly spring and summer weekends, visitors who aren't staying overnight pay an access fee between 8:30am and 4pm and need a QR code. In 2026 it was €5 if booked at least four days ahead, €10 after that. Hotel guests are exempt but still register. Check the official calendar at cda.ve.it for 2027 dates.

United Arab Emirates

• Check your prescriptions. Some common medications, including codeine and certain sleep and anxiety drugs, need approval before you arrive. Bring the prescription and keep medicine in its original packaging.

Australia and New Zealand

• Apply for an ETA first. Australia requires an ETA, applied for in the official AustralianETA app, and New Zealand requires an NZeTA. Both are needed before you fly. New Zealand also charges a NZ$100 visitor levy, paid at the same time as the NZeTA.
• Declare food, and clean your boots. Both countries are strict about biosecurity. Declare any food, and clean the dirt off hiking boots, tents and outdoor gear before you pack them. Declaring something is never a problem; not declaring it can mean an on-the-spot fine.

Flying with a power bank

• The rules got stricter in 2026. Under the international aviation rules that took effect in March 2026, you can carry up to two power banks, you can't charge them on board, and they belong in the seat pocket or under the seat, not the overhead bin. They're never allowed in checked bags.
• Many airlines ban using them at all. Japanese airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Qantas and flights out of Singapore's Changi Airport are among those that don't let you use a power bank in flight. Charge your phone before you board, and check your airline's rule.
• Know your size. Under 100Wh (roughly 27,000mAh) is fine. 100 to 160Wh needs airline approval. Anything bigger can't fly.

Flying a drone

• Look it up before you pack it. Many countries require permits or registration for drones, and some confiscate them at customs. Check the rules for every country on your route, including connections.