Vape / E-Cigarette 🇨🇳 China
Legal but regulated under tobacco monopoly since 2022
Can I bring Vape / E-Cigarette into China?
Legal but regulated under tobacco monopoly since 2022
Full details
China brought e-cigarettes under the state tobacco monopoly (CNTC) in 2022. Personal vaping devices can be brought by travelers. Nicotine e-liquid limited to 20mg/ml. Flavored e-liquids banned for domestic sale but personal imports tolerated in small quantities.
Duty-free for travelers entering China: 1.5L of alcohol (≥12% ABV), 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g tobacco, and personal goods (excluding alcohol and tobacco) with total value of RMB 5,000 (~$730 USD). Chinese residents returning from abroad who exceed this limit pay customs duty on the excess. Residents of Hong Kong and Macao have a lower allowance.
Carry the device in carry-on (never checked baggage — lithium battery rule). Quantities above the personal-use threshold for China must be declared to China Customs (GACC) with proof of purchase; e-liquid containers obey the standard 100 ml carry-on liquid rule.
Personal use
E-cigarette Management Measures 2022
This page covers destination customs rules in China. Whether you can carry vape / e-cigarette through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Related rules
Vape / E-Cigarette rules in other countries
Vape / E-Cigarette
🇹🇭 Thailand
Completely banned. Possession carries criminal penalties.
Vape / E-Cigarette
🇸🇬 Singapore
Banned. Importation and possession are criminal offences.
Vape / E-Cigarette
🇦🇺 Australia
Nicotine vapes require a prescription. Recreational vapes heavily restricted.
Vape / E-Cigarette
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Banned until 2019; now technically permitted for adults but heavily restricted at borders.
Vape / E-Cigarette
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Vapes legal but nicotine liquid unregulated
Vape / E-Cigarette
🇮🇳 India
Complete ban on e-cigarettes