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Unusual fines and charges from around the world

That's going to cost you
China: using your phone while crossing a road – up to $8 (£6) fine
Canada: leaving your car windows open – $64 (£45) fine
Germany: running out of petrol – up to $84 (£60) fine
Switzerland: taking a naked hike – $92 (£62) fine
UK: feeding a seagull – $140 (£100) fine
China: using Facebook and other social media – $149 (£113) fine
Denmark: driving with your lights off in the daytime – $162 (£116) fine
Spain: driving topless – $240 (£172) fine
Italy: leaving your towel on the beach – $240 (£172) fine
Virginia, US: swearing in public – $250 (£180) fine
Italy: building sandcastles – $300 (£216) fine
Singapore: not flushing the toilet – $376 (£270) fine
US: wearing your trousers low – $600 (£432) fine
Italy: not walking your dog enough – $600 (£432) fine
Germany: being too casual – up to $723 (£518) fine
US: using silly string on Halloween – up to $1,000 (£718) fine
UK: honking your horn – up to $1,400 (£1k) fine
Singapore: walking around naked in your home – $1,500 (£1.1k) fine
Australia: carrying too many potatoes in your car – up to $3,880 (£2.8k) fine
Austria: letting too many people into your shop – up to $4,400 (£3.1k) fine
Singapore: connecting to another person’s Wi-Fi – $7,500 (£5.4k) fine
Australia: disrupting a wedding – $7,770 (£5.6k) fine
Australia: spitting – up to $10,400 (£7.3k) fine
Germany: wearing masks and not wearing masks – $12,200 (£8.6k) fine or imprisonment
Australia: rescuing a whale – $13,200 (£9.5k) fine
China: having more than two children – $49,500 (£35.5k) fine
Germany: making noise on a Sunday – up to $60,300 (£43.2k) fine
China: not visiting your parents enough – undisclosed fine
Canada: paying with too much change – undisclosed fine
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Philip Lange/Shutterstock

That's going to cost you

Breaking a minor law or rule can sometimes lead to a fine. For example, overstaying your allotted time in a car park. But across the world there are many more unusual local laws and penalties that may come as a surprise. From feeding seagulls to making noise on Sundays to the number of children you have, click or scroll through to discover some of the world's more unique fines and charges. All dollar amounts in US dollars unless otherwise stated.
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lovemoney staff

04 March 2021

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