All countries

New Zealand

Oceania

Last reviewed: 2026-06

Travelling to New Zealand with snus or nicotine pouches? Both are restricted in New Zealand. Cigarettes are legal for adults aged 18+. This page covers the legal status of snus, nicotine pouches, cigarettes, vaping, and heated tobacco in New Zealand as of 2026-06, with official sources where available.

Snus

Restricted

Legal basis: Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990

Traditional tobacco-based snus is banned from sale and distribution in New Zealand. However, personal import for one's own use is permitted under the Act.

Official source

Nicotine Pouches

Restricted

Legal basis: Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990

Tobacco-free nicotine pouches (ZYN, VELO, etc.) are not approved for retail sale in New Zealand, but adults may import them for personal use. Effectively no legal domestic retail channel.

Official source

Cigarettes

Legal

Minimum age: 18+

Legal basis: Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990

Combustible cigarettes are legal for sale to adults 18+, subject to plain packaging, display bans and high excise. (The previous generational smokefree/'denicotinisation' measures were repealed in 2024.)

Official source

Vape / E-cigarettes

Legal

Minimum age: 18+

Legal basis: Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Act 2020

Vaping is legal and regulated. Products must be notified, sales restricted to 18+, nicotine capped at 20 mg/mL, with packaging/safety rules and no flavour restrictions. A ban on disposable (single-use) vapes took effect in 2024. E-cigarettes can be bought online and at general retail.

Official source

Heated Tobacco (IQOS)

Legal

Minimum age: 18+

Legal basis: Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 (following 2018 District Court decision)

Heated tobacco products are legal to sell to adults 18+, following a 2018 District Court decision permitting their sale under the 1990 Act. They may not be sold or advertised to minors and are subject to tobacco-product controls.

Legal aggregator

Personal Import

Snus
Allowed

Sale prohibited; personal import for own use is allowed. No specific weight limit published.

Nicotine Pouches
Allowed

Personal import for own use permitted; retail sale not approved.

Sources

Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations regarding snus, nicotine pouches, cigarettes, vaping and heated tobacco change frequently. Always verify the current legal status with official government sources before travelling. NicotineAtlas assumes no liability for actions taken based on information presented here.