Snus on the plane

Snus is a tobacco product that originated in Scandinavia. Since it is made from ground tobacco and not burned, different rules apply to its sale and consumption than to conventional cigarettes or vapes. But what about transporting it by plane?

Can you carry snus in your luggage or even use it during the flight? And how much is allowed in your luggage? In this article, we will answer all your questions about snus on the plane and explain in which European countries the product is legal. We will also provide you with some information about import limits in Europe.

Is snus allowed on the plane?

Since snus is still banned in many European countries, many snus users depend on importing snus from abroad. The illegality of snus only applies to commercial sales; it is legal to consume snus in Europe. There are currently no restrictions on bringing snus on an airplane; you can transport it in either a suitcase or even in your hand luggage. It does not matter whether it is loose or portioned snus.

However, you should be aware that there are certain import limits for products containing tobacco, which we will discuss later.

Whether snus may be consumed on the plane depends on the regulations of the respective airline. When using snus, the pouch is pushed sideways under the upper lip and produces neither smoke nor steam that could disturb other passengers. Therefore, consumption is allowed in most airlines. The only exception at the moment is Delta Airlines, which prohibits the consumption of all tobacco products on board. Make sure that you dispose of the used nicotine pouches properly, for example in the trash can or in the lid of the snus can.

What import restrictions should be considered in Europe?

Even within the EU, there are different rules regarding the import and legality of snus. The ban on the sale of snus, for example, does not apply to Sweden, the country of origin of the nicotine-containing pouches. When the ban came into force in 1992, Sweden was the only EU member state to receive an exemption. It is also legal to sell in some other European countries that do not belong to the EU, such as Switzerland or Norway.

In EU countries, it is allowed to carry snus on an airplane for personal use, but the amount must correspond to what you consume at home. In most countries, quantities of 250 to 600 g are allowed.

What about European countries that do not belong to the EU?

Countries that are not part of the EU but are located in Europe have different regulations. In most cases, an import limit of 250 g per person applies, but there are exceptions.

One of these exceptions is Iceland, where the carrying of snus is completely prohibited. In Iceland, only the locally produced snuff Neftobak is considered legal. In the United Kingdom, a limit of 250 g also applies. If you want to import more, you should declare the amount before starting your journey.

The legality of snus remains complicated

The legality of snus remains complicated, as the regulations even within EU member states are completely different. In most cases, snus may be carried on an aircraft and even consumed on board. You should check the regulations and import limits in the respective destination countries before starting your journey.

In Sweden, Norway and Switzerland, both commercial sales and use are legal. You can continue to snus to your heart's content here.