Are Nicotine Pouches Legal in Taiwan? (Unapproved Products and Fines)

By PouchGuide Editorial Team · Published October 4, 2026

In practice, no. Since Taiwan’s Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act was amended on March 22, 2023, novel tobacco and nicotine products can’t be used or distributed without government approval, and we found no approved nicotine pouch. Taiwan’s health agency has said users of unapproved products can be fined NT$10,000, and sellers or importers up to NT$5 million.

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

What the 2023 law says

The Health Promotion Administration (HPA) says that, under the amended Act, products not approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare are prohibited as of March 22, 2023. It has said it works with local governments to inspect stores and online platforms.

According to the Taipei Times, the HPA has said that “novel tobacco and nicotine products cannot be used or distributed without government approval.” So far, approvals have gone to some heated tobacco products (14 were approved in July 2025), not to nicotine pouches.

The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction lists nicotine pouches as banned in Taiwan.

Penalties

According to the Taipei Times, citing the HPA:

Bringing pouches into Taiwan

Taiwan Customs says passengers can’t bring e-cigarettes or e-liquids into Taiwan. It also notes that nicotine-containing liquids count as medicines under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, and none has import approval. Customs doesn’t specifically mention pouches, but because they’re unapproved nicotine products, bringing them in is risky.

Transit passengers can declare prohibited items on arrival and leave them at a bonded luggage counter to collect when they depart.

What’s legal

• Cigarettes and other conventional tobacco products are legal for adults, under strict rules.
• Approved heated tobacco products may be sold.
• Nicotine replacement therapy is available as a regulated medicine.

Bottom line

Taiwan prohibits unapproved novel tobacco and nicotine products, and nicotine pouches haven’t been approved. Users risk a fine of NT$10,000, and sellers up to NT$5 million. Don’t bring pouches into Taiwan. See traveling with nicotine pouches, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.