Possession and use of any type of drug, including marijuana, is illegal. If found guilty, you could face long prison terms in very poorly equipped institutions.
Never photograph police officers, police convoys or the military. This is considered a criminal offence.
While many Mongolians are familiar with foreign tourists, you should be aware of local customs, especially when visiting remote areas or visiting Mongolian families (for example, stepping on a threshold can cause offense).
Some Mongolian men don’t like seeing Mongolian women having relationships with foreign men. Proceed with caution so as not to cause offense.
While not illegal, homosexuality is not generally accepted in society. Before you travel, see our LGBT community information and advice page.
Show proper respect in a Buddhist monastery. Ask permission before taking pictures and do not touch any sacred images or objects.
If you are a resident of Mongolia, you should always carry your registration card. If you are visiting Mongolia and do not have a registration card, you must carry your passport at all times – copies are not enough.
Failure to carry a registration card or passport may result in a fine. Keep the biometric data page and the page with the Mongolian border immigration stamp in separate safe places.
It is illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade in its parts without a license. Mongolia is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). If you are caught buying or trafficking illegal goods, you will be prosecuted and could be jailed and fined.
When buying antiques, make sure the supplier presents a certificate of authenticity for the item. You will need the files to export your project. Mongolian Customs has produced a guide on the import and export of prohibited items.
If you are involved in a commercial dispute or criminal investigation, you may not be able to leave Mongolia until the matter is resolved through a travel ban. You should notify the UK embassy if you are subject to a travel ban.
If you are driving into Mongolia, you may have to pay a small fee. If you leave without your car, you may also have to pay import duty on departure or when you return to the UK at a later date.
