Brits could inadvertently jeopardise their holidays by collecting passport stamps during their travels. While many travellers view passport stamps as cherished mementos of their journeys, Brits travelling to Wales, the United States, the European Union and other destinations this summer are being cautioned that receiving novelty stamps in their passports could lead to serious issues on future trips or even result in being denied entry into countries, reports the Mirror.
American Summer camp travel provider Wildpacks has warned that ‘souvenir’ stamps, although seemingly harmless keepsakes, can cause significant complications at border control. This alert comes as more details emerge about the implementation of a new border regime for travel to EU countries. Official immigration authorities do not issue these stamps, leading some countries to consider them as tampering or potential security risks.
These stamps are available at numerous renowned attractions such as Machu Picchu, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch and Checkpoint Charlie, where they are offered as souvenirs.
Tourist stamps are becoming increasingly widespread at historical or iconic locations. However, some resemble official travel markings or refer to politically sensitive areas – both of which can provoke delays, questioning, or outright denial of entry.
Jamie Fraser, an American summer camp director at Wildpacks, has issued a warning to globetrotters about the potential risks of collecting souvenir stamps in passports: “Souvenir stamps have become a bit of a badge of honour for travellers — they look cool, they feel like part of the adventure.
“But the second you let someone stamp your passport who isn’t a border official, you’re not adding a memory – you’re risking the whole document being declared invalid.”
He cautioned further: “If your passport includes anything not placed there by an official, you’re at the mercy of each border’s interpretation. For something that takes up just one square inch, it can cause a world of trouble.”
Travellers have sometimes had to go to the extent of replacing their passports if deemed damaged or altered by foreign officials.
The UK government has its own criteria for what constitutes passport damage:
- Unofficial stamps, markings or writing
- Torn or missing pages
- Faded or unreadable information
- Ink stains or water damage
- Loose or separated covers
For those concerned about the validity of their travel documents, companies like TUI provide useful passport validity checker tools.
To ensure your passport remains in tip-top shape, sticking to these guidelines is recommended:
- Skip the souvenir stamp – Ask for it on a postcard or piece of paper instead.
- Don’t mark your passport yourself – Even small doodles or messages could be flagged.
- Do a page-by-page check before you fly – Look for unfamiliar marks, stamps or smudges.
- Replace early if in doubt – A clean passport is your best travel guarantee.
Among the most sought-after souvenir stamps are those from Ciudad Mitad del Mundo in Ecuador, marking the Equator; Churchill in Canada, known as the polar bear capital; and Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, the British town with the longest name.