Travel with your e-cigarette

11.07.23 10:26:31

While travel is a very simple matter nowadays, crossing borders accompanied by your e-cigarette is not always so straightforward. Here is an overview of destinations and of the local laws permitting you (or not) to visit the country of your choice accompanied by your e-cig. A handy guide on travelling with vaping gear!'

England

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes
Additional information: England is probably the most enthusiastic country in the world in terms of e-cigarettes, make the most of it!

Austria

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes
Restrictions: the same laws as in the rest of the European Union apply.

Australia

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes
Restrictions: A law classifies nicotine as a restricted poison if it is not used for therapeutic purposes. However, according to a statement, import for personal reasons may be permitted in certain instances, particularly with a medical prescription. Non-nicotine e-liquids are not regulated. Warning: the legislation may vary from State to State.

Canada

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes
Restrictions: In Ontario, only neutral (unflavoured) e-liquids are permitted. Vapers are also not permitted to try a device in a shop, before purchasing it. In the rest of the country, a Health Canada guidance document classifies e-cigarettes containing nicotine as new medicines and therefore subject to the FDA. As such, there are restrictions on their sale, advertising, promotion, sponsorship, import, and manufacture. Non-nicotine products are not regulated.

Chile

No vaping product regulations

China

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes
Restrictions: none

Colombia – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: No
Restrictions: Local laws classify vaping as tobacco imitation. The sale and advertising of vaping products is banned. It is banned to vape in enclosed public places.

South Korea

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes
Restrictions: The use of e-cigarettes is banned in public places and public transport with the exception of designated smoking areas.
E-cigarette products are subject to a number of taxes and charges (national health promotion, tobacco consumption, local education, and individual consumption taxes) proportional to 1,799 won/mL (approx. $1.53 USD) nicotine liquid; in addition, there is a waste charge of 24 won/20 cartridges (approx. $0.02 USD) and a 10% Value Added Tax (VAT).

Scotland

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes

Spain

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes

Finland

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes
Restrictions: E-liquid must not contain certain additives and flavours (fruity and gourmet flavours are prohibited). Advertising, promotion and sponsorship (including at the point-of-sale) is banned as is display at point-of-sale. Use is banned in places where smoking is prohibited, including in vehicles where minors under 15 years are present. A tax is also applied to e-liquids.

Greece

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes
Additional information: The country applies a tax of €0.10 per ml for e-liquid sales.

Guadeloupe

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes

Mauritius – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: At your own risk
Local presence of shops: No
Restrictions: A public health regulation prohibits the sale, offer for sale or distribution of e-cigarettes, as they look like tobacco products.
Additional information: It is strongly recommended to bring your own gear as local sale is prohibited. However, bear in mind that you may encounter problems at the airport, if taking your gear with you, as there have been a number of reports of confiscations by local authorities.

India – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: No
Local presence of shops: No
Restrictions: Vaping is completely prohibited in this country.

Indonesia

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes, essentially in Bali
Restrictions: E-liquids are taxed at 57%.
Additional information: It is strongly recommended to bring your e-liquid refills with you, while bearing in mind that they may get confiscated at the airport.

Ireland

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes

Italy

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes
Additional information: Tax on e-liquids for the year 2019 is €0.08 per mL of e-liquid, which is linked with the weighted average price (WAP) of tobacco cigarettes calculated each year, there is also a 22% Value Added Tax (VAT) on the final retail price.

Japan

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Vaping stores are not common and only sell non-nicotine e-liquids.
Restrictions: Tobacco consumption and e-cigarette use are highly regulated in Japan. As such, it is for example prohibited to vape in the street, outside designated smoking areas.
Additional information: Non-nicotine e-liquids are not currently regulated. However, nicotine-containing vaping products are classified as medicinal products and are regulated under the Japanese pharmaceutical affairs law. Marketing approval for the sale, advertisement, manufacture, importation and distribution of medicinal products must be sought under this law. No medicinal e-cigarettes have been approved to date. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued a statement permitting the private importation of e-cigarettes, provided they are for private use only and the amount is less than one month supply.

Malaysia – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes
Restrictions: Nicotine is classified as a poison in this country. The sale, distribution or importation of products containing nicotine is prohibited Since January 2021, e-liquids are subject to a tax of 10%, along with a further tax of €0.40 per millilitre.

Morocco

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes

Martinique

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes

New Zealand

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes
Restrictions: Since 2019, vaping products have been regulated like tobacco in New Zealand. There is a ban on sales to persons under 18 years of age, and it is prohibited to vape in places where smoking is prohibited.

Netherlands

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes

Portugal

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes
Additional information: For 2017, the excise duty on e-liquid is €0.31 (USD 0.33) per millilitre.

Thailand – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: No
Local presence of shops: No
Restrictions: E-cigarettes are prohibited under several regulatory mechanisms. The Tobacco Products Control Act prohibits importation and sale of products imitating cigarettes. A notification by the Ministry of Commerce bans the import of e-cigarettes, including those without nicotine. A Consumer Protection Board order bans sale of e-cigarettes, including those without nicotine. The Customs Act prohibits people from bringing untaxed products into Thailand. There is no explicit law banning the use of e-cigarettes, but e-cigarettes are banned where laws prohibit smoking.
Additional information: Thailand is one of the most restrictive countries in the world, as far as e-cigarettes are concerned. We strongly advise against bringing your own gear.

Tunisia – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes
Restrictions: There are very few e-liquids licensed for sale in the country.
Additional information: In Tunisia, vaping is under the monopoly of Régie Nationale des Tabacs et Allumettes (RNTA). Only e-liquids included in the official catalogue are licensed for sale, and this catalogue only lists a few items.

USA

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes

Turkey

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: No

Jordan – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: No
Local presence of shops: No
Restrictions: Importing and using electronic cigarettes is prohibited in the country, with penalties including fines or imprisonment.

Oman – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: No
Restrictions: The sale of electronic cigarettes is prohibited.

Qatar – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: No
Local presence of shops: No
Restrictions: Using electronic cigarettes can result in a three-month prison sentence if caught. The fines for vaping are also significant, reaching up to 2,000 euros.

Cambodia – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: No
Local presence of shops: No
Additional information: In Cambodia, there are no legislative measures to fine or arrest individuals caught vaping. If police officers catch people using electronic cigarettes, they simply confiscate the devices.

Lebanon – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: No
Local presence of shops: No

Philippines – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: Yes
Additional information: Vaping was prohibited until July 25, 2022. Currently, it is allowed for purchase at the age of 21, while regular cigarettes can be purchased from the age of 18. (Information regarding age restrictions is not verified.)

Vietnam – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: No
Additional information: Before traveling to this country, make sure to stock up on vaping coils and e-liquids.

Brazil – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: No
Restrictions: Advertising and sales are prohibited. Vaping in public places is also prohibited. However, you are allowed to vape in designated areas.

Mexico – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Yes
Local presence of shops: No
Restrictions: The import ban on vaping products came into effect on February 20, 2020. The ban includes vaping devices and even nicotine-free liquids.

Argentina – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: Unknown
Local presence of shops: No
Restrictions: Based on a new resolution dated March 23, 2023, electronic cigarettes have been banned from importation, distribution, and marketing.

Taiwan – Warning

Legal to own an e-cigarette: No
Local presence of shops: No
Restrictions: Importing electronic cigarettes and liquids into Taiwan is prohibited. Even if you are in Taiwan for transit, you will need to declare all vaping accessories, and you can only retrieve them when you are leaving the country.

Can electronic cigarettes and e-liquids be taken on a plane?

In most cases, it is allowed to bring an electronic cigarette and e-liquid in carry-on luggage on a plane, but there are certain restrictions and rules that must be followed.

Rules and restrictions may vary depending on the airline and country, so it is necessary to check the requirements of the specific carrier before traveling.

In general, the following rules may apply:

Electronic cigarettes can only be carried in hand luggage, it is prohibited to transport them in checked baggage.
E-liquid for refilling can be brought on board the airplane, but in limited quantities. Usually, this is no more than 100ml per bottle, and all bottles must fit into one transparent, airtight plastic bag with a maximum volume of 1 liter.
The liquid must be packaged in special containers (bottles) with a secure lid and gradation in "ml" or marked capacity to avoid leakage during the flight.
Most airlines prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes on board the plane, including their use in bathrooms.
In some countries, such as Thailand, Singapore, and Brazil, electronic cigarettes and their liquids may be prohibited, and their importation may result in fines or confiscation.

Overall, to avoid problems, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the rules and restrictions of the specific airline and country of travel and to follow these rules when packing and transporting electronic cigarettes and their liquid.

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