Countries we can't ship to because products are banned or prohibited
Our list is extensive, but maybe not definitive. Laws change regularly, and although communication between advocacy organizations is improving, there is still no central repository for information on vaping laws around the world. Our list comes from a combination of sources. The status of some countries was determined by original research.
Some of these countries have outright bans on use and sales, others just ban sales, and some ban only nicotine or nicotine-containing products. In many countries, the laws are ignored. In others, they’re enforced. Again, check with a reliable source before traveling to any country with vaping gear and e-liquid. If a country is not listed, vaping is either allowed and regulated, or there is no specific law governing e-cigarettes (as of now anyway). At this time the list is what is known to us. There could be countries that don't allow the sale of vape products that we have not listed because we don't know about them.
We welcome any new information. If you know of a law that has changed, or a new regulation that affects our list, please make a comment and we will update the list.
The Americas
Antigua and Barbuda
Legal to use, illegal to sell
Argentina
Legal to use, illegal to sell
Brazil
Legal to use, illegal to sell
Chile
Illegal to sell, except approved medical products
Colombia
Legal to use, illegal to sell
Mexico
Legal to use, illegal to import or sell. In February 2020, Mexican president issued a decree banning the import of all vaping products, including zero-nicotine products. There is, however, still a thriving vaping community in the country, and advocacy leadership by consumer group Pro-Vapeo Mexico. It isn’t yet known if the government will attempt to seize products brought into the country by visitors
Nicaragua
Believed illegal to use, illegal to sell nicotine
Panama
Legal to use, illegal to sell
Suriname
Legal to use, illegal to sell
Uruguay
Legal to use, illegal to sell
Venezuela
Legal to use, believed illegal to sell, except approved medical products
New York State, United States
Some products are Legal to use.
Africa
Ethiopia
Believed legal to use, illegal to sell—but status is uncertain
Gambia
Believed illegal to use, illegal to sell
Mauritius
Legal to use, believed illegal to sell
Seychelles
Legal to use, illegal to sell—however, the country announced in 2019 its intention to legalize and regulate e-cigarettes
Uganda
Legal to use, illegal to sell
Asia
Bangladesh
Bangladesh currently has no laws or regulations specific to vaping. However, in December 2019 a health ministry official told Reuters that the government is “actively working to impose a ban on the production, import and sale of e-cigarettes and all vaping tobaccos to prevent health risks.”
Bhutan
Legal to use, illegal to sell
Brunei
Legal to use, illegal to sell most products
Cambodia
Banned: illegal to use, illegal to sell
East Timor
Believed to be banned
India
In September 2019, the Indian central government banned sales of vaping products outright. The government, well aware that 100 million Indians smoke and that tobacco kills nearly a million people a year, did not make any moves to reduce access to cigarettes. Not coincidentally, the Indian government owns 30 percent of the country’s largest tobacco company
Japan
Legal to use, legal to sell devices, illegal to sell nicotine-containing liquid (although individuals can import nicotine-containing products with some restrictions). Heated tobacco products (HTPs) like IQOS are legal
North Korea
Banned
Malaysia
Legal to use, illegal to sell nicotine-containing products. Although consumer sales of nicotine-containing products is illegal, Malaysia has a thriving vaping market. Authorities have occasionally raided retailers and confiscated products. Sales of all vaping products (even without nicotine) are banned outright in the states of Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Penang and Terengganu
Myanmar
Believed to be banned, based on an August 2020 article
Nepal
Legal to use (banned in public), illegal to sell
Singapore
Banned: illegal to use, illegal to sell. As of last year, possession is also a crime, punishable by fines of up to $1,500 (US) and even prison time. However, as is the case everywhere, the threat of prosecution doesn’t prevent a thriving black market
Sri Lanka
Legal to use, illegal to sell
Thailand
Believed legal to use, illegal to sell. Thailand has earned a reputation for enforcing its ban on importation and sales of vaping products with several high-profile incidents in recent years, including detaining vaping tourists for “importation.” The government is reportedly reconsidering its harsh e-cigarette rules
Turkmenistan
Believed legal to use, illegal to sell
Turkey
Legal to use, illegal to import or sell. Sale and importation of vaping products is illegal in Turkey, and when the country reaffirmed its ban in 2017, the WHO issued a press release cheering the decision. But the laws are conflicting, and there is a vaping market and a vaping community in Turkey
Australia
Legal to use, illegal to sell nicotine. In Australia, possessing or selling nicotine is illegal without a doctor’s prescription, but except in one state (Western Australia) vaping devices are legal to sell. For that reason there is a thriving vaping market despite the law. Penalties for possession vary from one state to the next, but can be quite severe
Europe
Vatican City
Believed to be banned
The Middle East
Egypt
Legal to use, illegal to sell—although the country appears to be on the verge of regulating vaping products
Iran
Believed legal to use, illegal to sell
Kuwait
Believed legal to use, illegal to sell
Lebanon
Legal to use, illegal to sell
Oman
Believed legal to use, illegal to sell
Qatar
Banned: illegal to use, illegal to sell
Saudi Arabia
Banned: illegal to sell online