Oman

Penalties for importing, trafficking, smuggling, and possessing drugs in Oman are severe — even residual amounts can mean lengthy jail and, in some cases, the death penalty — and the law makes no distinction between 'soft' and 'hard' drugs.

Death penalty possible for trafficking; lengthy jail and heavy fines for possession.

Verified Jul 24, 2026

Cannabis is illegal in Oman in every form, and there is no small-amount exception — holding or using even a tiny quantity for personal use is a crime carrying one to three years in prison plus a fine, and Omani law draws no line between "soft" and "hard" drugs. The UK government warns that people have faced severe penalties over residual amounts. Do not assume CBD is a loophole: Omani law exempts only cannabis seeds treated so they cannot sprout, so CBD oils, gummies and hemp extracts are not carved out — and vapes of any kind are separately illegal to bring in or use.

Under the Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Royal Decree 17/99, consolidated text published by Oman's Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs): possession, acquisition or cultivation of cannabis for personal use, and use itself, are punishable by one to three years' imprisonment and a fine of 500 to 3,000 Omani rials (Article 47); where the purpose is neither trafficking nor personal use, three to seven years and a fine of 1,000 to 5,000 rials. The court may instead order committal to a treatment facility for a person proven to be addicted, a discretion exercised after conviction. Possession, purchase, sale or transport with intent to traffic carries not less than ten years and a fine of 3,000 to 15,000 rials, rising to life imprisonment in aggravated cases. Import, export, production or manufacture for trafficking carries the death penalty or life imprisonment plus a fine of 25,000 to 50,000 rials. Refusing to give a sample for drug testing carries six months to three years and a fine of 100 to 1,000 rials. The law also lists deportation of a foreign national, with a bar on return, among court-ordered measures. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office states that penalties are severe even for residual amounts and that in some cases offenders could receive the death penalty.

Verified Aug 17, 2026

Carry prescription medication in original packaging with your prescription, buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies, and check the Oman Ministry of Health rules before travel — some narcotics and medications legal elsewhere are controlled or prohibited in Oman.

Travelers may be detained or deported for undeclared or illegal medications.

Verified Jul 23, 2026

Do not pack any weapon. Entering or leaving Oman with firearms, ammunition or listed bladed weapons requires a licence from the Inspector General of Police and Customs, and possession licences are issued only to Omani nationals - so a visitor has no route to one. Brass knuckles, daggers, spears and spiked maces are on the controlled list; silencers and rifle scopes may never be possessed by anyone; rapid-fire rifles and pistols can never be licensed for entry at all.

Unlicensed possession of a List 1 bladed weapon: up to 6 months and/or a fine up to OMR 300 (Art. 19). Unlicensed possession of a List 3 weapon, its main parts or ammunition: up to 3 years and/or up to OMR 1,000 (Art. 20). Possession of machine guns and cannons: 5 to 15 years (Art. 21). Possession of silencers or mounted scopes, or unlicensed possession of a List 2 weapon: up to 1 year and/or up to OMR 500 (Art. 22). Unlicensed import, export, trading or repair: List 1 or silencers/scopes - up to 1 year and/or up to OMR 1,000; List 2 - 1 to 3 years and/or up to OMR 1,000; List 3 - 3 to 5 years and a fine of OMR 300 to 1,000; machine guns - 5 to 15 years and a fine of OMR 500 to 5,000 (Art. 23). Any other breach: up to 6 months and/or up to OMR 300 (Art. 24). Confiscation of the weapons and ammunition is ordered in all cases, in addition to the penalties (Art. 26).

Verified Sep 2, 2026

Declare precious metals and local or foreign currency worth OMR 6,000 or more when arriving in or departing Oman (the US State Dept cites a reporting threshold over USD 20,000).

Failure to declare may result in confiscation or penalties.

Verified Jul 24, 2026

Take the red channel if you are carrying anything restricted. Bringing prohibited or restricted goods into Oman without the required ministry approval is treated as smuggling, not a paperwork slip - the fine starts at the full value of the goods and prison is on the table. Cash, bearer securities, precious metals or gemstones over OMR 6,000 must also be declared.

Attempting to bring prohibited or restricted goods into Oman in violation of law is a smuggling offence under Articles 142-143 of the GCC Common Customs Law (Art. 143(12) expressly covers transporting or acquiring prohibited or restricted goods without evidence supporting their legal importation). Where the smuggled goods are prohibited goods, Article 145(4) sets a fine of not less than the value of the goods and not more than three times that value, plus imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than three years, or either penalty. Failure to declare cash, traveller's cheques or precious metals is an offence under Article 53 of the Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Law.

Verified Sep 2, 2026

Non-Muslim travelers may bring up to 2 litres of duty-free alcohol into Oman; Muslim travelers may not bring alcohol.

Detention and fines; authorities may require a blood test if alcohol use is suspected.

Verified Jul 23, 2026

Alcohol may only be bought and consumed in licensed venues (hotels, restaurants, and bars) in Oman; drinking in public, being drunk in public, and drink-driving are illegal, and you may be arrested for possession of alcohol or driving under the influence.

Fine and possible imprisonment; airport transit passengers under the influence may be arrested.

Verified Jul 23, 2026

It is illegal to import or use e-cigarettes or vape products in Oman.

Penalties apply under Omani law for import or use.

Verified Jul 24, 2026

Plan on 200 cigarettes per traveller, not 400. Oman's Directorate General of Customs website still prints a 400-cigarette allowance, but Decision No. 110/2026 (August 2026) cut the exemption to 200 cigarettes and capped total personal belongings and gifts at OMR 300. The two official figures conflict — 200 is the safe number.

No fine is published for exceeding the cigarette allowance — this is a TAX consequence, not a penalty: quantity or value above the limit simply loses the exemption and attracts customs duty. Distinct and genuinely penal exposure is documented on the same traveller-services page for other conduct: attempting to bring in prohibited or restricted goods "shall be considered as smuggling offence according to the provisions of Articles (142-143) of the Common Customs Law of the GCC"; obstructing customs officers is punishable under Article 30 of the Executive Regulations; and failure to declare currency or precious metals above OMR 6,000 is an offence under Article 53 of the Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Law. No monetary amounts are stated for these and none is invented.

Verified Sep 1, 2026

Visitors on a visit visa should hold an International Driving Permit to drive a rental car in Oman (rental companies often require one); drink-driving is a serious offence and any detected alcohol can mean a fine and imprisonment.

DUI: fine and possible imprisonment; traffic fines up to OMR 3,000 or up to 3 years.

Verified Jul 24, 2026

It is illegal to fly drones without a valid licence or in restricted airspace in Oman, photographing some government and military sites is illegal, and you should not photograph people without permission.

Criminal penalties apply.

Verified Jul 24, 2026

VPN and VoIP usage is restricted in Oman and could result in penalties.

Penalties apply under Omani law.

Verified Jun 26, 2026

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Oman (jail term of six months to three years), and cross-dressing is also illegal.

Jail term of 6 months to 3 years.

Verified Jul 24, 2026

Oman has strict dress and behavior codes: cover the tops of arms and legs (below the knee) in public including malls; swimwear is only for tourist beaches/pools; during Ramadan, eating, drinking (even water), or smoking in public during daylight may be illegal.

Fines and jail for public-decency violations; rude gestures or arguments can bring arrest.

Verified Jul 24, 2026

Swearing, making rude gestures (including while driving), and posting obscene or offensive content on social media are criminal offences in Oman.

Fines, imprisonment, or deportation.

Verified Jul 24, 2026