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Tell me I’m wrong.
The worst part about traveling abroad is stepping off a long flight to find an endless line of fellow travelers standing on your toes inch by inch, just to be asked the dreaded question, “What are you doing in ___?”.
As simple as it sounds, your journey depends on this answer. If the customs broker is not satisfied, every country has its own way of sniffing out moreand even escort you to a separate room and search your belongings if they deem it necessary.
We all have “we’re not in Kansas anymore” moments when traveling, but one you don’t want to have to deal with is unknowingly breaking the law.
That’s why the US government just issued an urgent warning about one country that enforces a law that Americans may not know about, and that doesn’t give out your passwords for electronic devices.
That got us thinking; it can’t just be one country that goes rogue.
We have exposed Four countries in total where travelers can face serious consequences if they refuse to grant device accessand some of them may shock you.
China (Hong Kong) 🇭🇰
China is not exactly a country known for letting loose, and this is equally evident upon arrival.
As someone who has been to China and plans to go back, I can testify that I have never seen so many security cameras – and I was well off the radar in the city of Harbin.
That said, this is where the US Consulate felt obliged to issue an official travel permit alert last week to inform Americans what they may be registering for.
According to the consulate, Hong Kong has introduced a sneaky change in the law from March 23, where this is now the case a criminal offense for tourists to deny access to their electronics (or decrypt them to throw them off).
Many travelers are already talking about internet restrictions and the hassle of using VPNs in China – and now Hong Kong is adding another layer of control.
Although the warning does not explicitly state the punishment for the crime, Reuters reports that the fines can amount to one year in prison and a $12,773 fine.
However, the warning does note that “the Hong Kong government also has increased authority to seize and retain as evidence personal devices that they claim are related to national security violations.”
United Kingdom 🇬🇧
As stylish as Britain may seem on paper, travelers may be surprised by some of the strict rules in the surveillance-heavy society.
To begin with, things have been somewhat quiet in Britain arrest people via online messages are considered “highly offensive,” a broad standard that will continue to be actively enforced in 2026 — which may be why you don’t see “influencers in the wild” like you do in the United States.
God forbid anyone throws out bangers and mash…
But to enter the country, if immigration officials don’t like your vibe, they may ask to search not only your luggage, but also your most prized thumb-swiping dopamine screens.
Travelers examined under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act may be subject to counter-terrorism powers which may order them to unlock their phones or other devices, and deliberately refusing to do so could lead to criminal prosecution.
If you thought British food was boring in a classic pub, wait until you’re behind bars…
Not that it’s a common problem, but it’s a better idea to think about what’s on your phone before you fly so you can have the trip of a lifetime in London and other iconic destinations, like millions of people do every year.
Canada 🇨🇦
The friendliest people in North America undoubtedly also have strict policies.
Then again, the old adage “people are not their government” works both ways, right?
As a one-time visitor to Canada, compared to hundreds in Mexico, crossing the border is apples and oranges, or in this case maple and tacos.
The crossing from Bellingham, Washington to British Columbia was quite an experience to say the least, with not an inch of our rental car left uncombed.
Canada takes security seriously. As such, tourists are expected to follow the same border rules as everyone else – and if agents decide to inspect digital devices, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials say travelers are required to provide the password when prompted.
The CBSA states: “Failure to grant access to your personal digital device may result in the retention of that device.”
So much for those epic photos of Prince Edward Island’s red-sand beaches or Montreal’s sensational French cuisine…
New Zealand 🇳🇿
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told someone my favorite country is Iceland and their response is all the same, almost verbatim: “wait until you see New Zealand”.
Only time will tell, but if I decide to check the land of the hobbits and kiwis off my endless travel wish list, I, along with travelers like you, will have to keep in mind that entering this far-flung island nation comes with some strict border rules for your electronics.
But first it is important to pay attention to government officials stands “99.99% of travelers do not have their electronic devices searched“.
If it’s your unlucky day, refusing their demands could lead to prosecution, a fine of around $2900, and likely confiscation of all your embarrassing texts and photos.
Hey, we all have them…
