Vape / E-Cigarette 🇮🇳 India
Complete ban on e-cigarettes
Can I bring Vape / E-Cigarette into India?
Complete ban on e-cigarettes
Zero tolerance — any quantity is prohibited under PECA 2019
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
India banned e-cigarettes under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act 2019. Import, manufacture, sale, distribution, and advertisement of e-cigarettes are prohibited. First-time offenders face imprisonment up to 1 year and/or fine up to INR 100,000.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 100000 INR
- Imprisonment up to 36 months
- Criminal penalty
Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.
At the airport
- E-cigarettes are prohibited under India's PECA Act 2019. If you arrive with a vaping device, proceed to the Red Channel at CIAL, IGI, or whichever airport of arrival.
- Declare the device to CBIC customs. Failure to declare may be treated as attempted smuggling under the Customs Act 1962.
- Customs will confiscate the device. A fine may be levied equal to the value of the goods. Obtain a seizure memo for your records.
Duty-free for Indian passengers returning: INR 50,000 (~$600 USD) in general goods for those resident abroad for 3+ days; one laptop; 2L liquor/wine/beer; 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco. For passengers up to 10 years old, allowance is INR 15,000. Tourist allowance: INR 15,000 for goods other than gold or silver. Allowance for gold/silver jewelry up to specific limits.
Do not bring any vaping device or liquid to India. The ban is comprehensive and penalties are severe.
Zero tolerance — any quantity is prohibited under PECA 2019
Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act 2019
This page covers destination customs rules in India. 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.
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
🇧🇷 Brazil
Sale and import banned by ANVISA