Are Nicotine Pouches Legal in Chile? (Gray Area: No Product Is Authorized)

By PouchGuide Editorial Team · Published October 12, 2026

Nicotine pouches are in a legal gray area in Chile, and none can be sold with official approval. Chile has no specific law for nicotine pouches, and the Institute of Public Health (ISP) says it has not authorized any commercial product. Bringing them in for sale is not authorized. In May 2026 the ISP said an expert commission was reviewing the evidence and that it would decide how to classify and regulate pouches “in the coming months”.

This is general information, not legal advice. Check official sources before you buy or travel.

Why are nicotine pouches not regulated in Chile?

Chile’s tobacco law (Law 19.419) covers tobacco products, and Law 21.642 of 2024 extended it to e-cigarettes, similar devices and heated tobacco, including a ban on sales to minors. Tobacco-free nicotine pouches don’t fit any of these categories. So the question became whether they should be treated as medicines, consumer products or tobacco products. That decision falls to the ISP.

What has the ISP said about nicotine pouches?

In its technical report RCS No. 49-A, the ISP reviewed a request to decide which health control regime should apply to nicotine pouches. It noted repeated questions from regional health authorities, customs agents and the public about importing them. The report compared how other regulators classify pouches.

In May 2026, the head of the ISP’s medicines and cosmetics control unit told Emol that:

• pouches are not regulated in Chile;
• no commercial product has been authorized, so commercial imports are not authorized;
• the only route the ISP described for personal use is importing them as a medicine with a medical prescription;
• the ISP was ready to issue its technical opinion “in the coming months” and urged caution in the meantime.

Can you buy nicotine pouches in Chile?

Some shops and websites sell them, but without any health authorization. Products sold this way haven’t been checked by Chilean authorities, and shipments can be held at customs. Expect the rules to change once the ISP decides.

Can travelers bring nicotine pouches to Chile?

Be careful. There is no clear legal allowance for pouches for personal use. The ISP describes a prescription-based import route, and customs may stop products without authorization. If you need them, bring only a small amount for yourself and be ready to declare them. See our travel guide.

How Chile compares

Chile is behind its neighbor Argentina, which created a registration system for pouches in May 2026, with an 8 mg cap. Like Mexico, Chile remains a gray area. In contrast, the United States regulates pouches as tobacco products.

Bottom line

Nicotine pouches are neither clearly legal nor clearly banned in Chile. No product is authorized, commercial imports are not allowed, and the ISP’s decision is still pending. Check the ISP’s website before buying or traveling. See our legal status overview for other countries.