Are snus and nicotine pouches legal in Chile?
Chile has no rule written specifically for nicotine pouches. Law 21.642, published 4 January 2024 and in force from 20 May 2025, brought vaping devices and heated tobacco under the tobacco law, but its definitions cover devices rather than oral pouches, and an Institute of Public Health report of February 2026 found that pouches are not medicines. Sources disagree on whether they may be sold, so the status is recorded as unclear. Traditional smokeless tobacco including snus is legal for over-18s under Law 19.419 with health warnings and an advertising ban, but is not stocked in Chile.
South America
Chile at a glance
| Nicotine pouches (tobacco-free) | Tobacco snus | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale to adults | No specific rule found | Legal |
| Possession and use | Legal | Legal |
| Personal import (mail order, bringing in) | Unclear | Allowed |
| Online sale inside the country | Unclear | Allowed |
| Regulated | classification unclear | as a tobacco product |
| Minimum age | No specific limit found | 18 |
| Nicotine strength cap | No legal cap found | No legal cap found |
| Flavours | Unclear | Unclear |
| Excise tax | Unclear | Yes |
| Legal basis | – | Ley 19.419 sobre restricciones a actividades relacionadas con el tabaco, as amended by Ley 21.642 |
| In force since | – | 1 January 2006 |
Low confidence: Single source or inferred from general tobacco law. Treat as indicative. Research tier 1. How we verify.
Nicotine pouches in Chile
No specific rule; status contested.
Law 21.642 defines and regulates electronic nicotine delivery systems (SEAN), similar devices without nicotine (SESN) and heated tobacco products; the published definitions do not name oral nicotine pouches, so the law appears not to reach them. The Institute of Public Health (ISP) issued technical report RCS 49-A in the December 2025 to February 2026 cycle concluding that nicotine pouches are not medicines, which removes them from the pharmaceutical registration route. GSTHR's country profile nevertheless records pouches as banned. Because primary and secondary sources conflict and no prohibiting provision was located, the status is left unclear.
Sources: Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile (ISP), Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile, Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR)
Tobacco snus in Chile
Legal as tobacco product, 18+.
Smokeless tobacco is allowed and legal to use. Sale to under-18s is prohibited, health warnings on packaging are mandatory and tobacco advertising is banned. GSTHR records that smokeless products may be sold online and through vending machines subject to those restrictions. Swedish-style snus is not commercially distributed in Chile.
Tax: Tobacco products carry Chile's tobacco-specific taxes; no snus rate identified.
Sources: Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR), Tobacco Control Laws, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Bringing snus or nicotine pouches into Chile
| For personal use | Unclear No snus- or pouch-specific allowance was located. The general traveller tobacco franchise applies to tobacco products. |
| Declaration | Unclear No restriction on carrying snus or pouches in cabin or checked baggage. |
| Penalties | No specific penalty information found. |
Chile's agricultural and customs declaration (SAG) covers food and plant material rather than nicotine products. No customs page addressing nicotine pouches was found.
Full travel guide: can you bring snus and nicotine pouches to Chile?
Pending and proposed changes
- The Institute of Public Health has been examining the classification of nicotine pouches; a decision to fold them into the tobacco law or into a product registration regime would settle the current ambiguity. Status: consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Are nicotine pouches legal in Chile?
There is no clear answer. No Chilean law names oral nicotine pouches: Law 21.642 covers vaping devices and heated tobacco, and the Institute of Public Health found in February 2026 that pouches are not medicines. Some databases nevertheless list them as banned, so treat the status as unresolved.
Does Chile's 2024 vaping law cover nicotine pouches?
Apparently not. Law 21.642, published 4 January 2024 and in force from 20 May 2025, defines electronic nicotine delivery systems, non-nicotine devices and heated tobacco products. Its definitions describe devices that vaporise a solution, not pouches placed in the mouth.
Is snus legal in Chile?
Yes. Traditional smokeless tobacco is legal to use and sell to adults aged 18 or over under Law 19.419, with mandatory health warnings and a ban on advertising. It is not actually stocked by Chilean retailers.
Can I bring nicotine pouches into Chile?
No customs rule addressing them was found. A personal quantity is not a listed prohibited import, but because the domestic status is unresolved, carrying a large amount is risky.
What is the age limit for tobacco in Chile?
18. Selling tobacco products, and since Law 21.642 also e-cigarettes with or without nicotine, to anyone under 18 is prohibited.
Nearby in the atlas
- Antigua and Barbuda – pouches no specific rule found, snus legal with restrictions
- Argentina – pouches legal with restrictions, snus no specific rule found
- Bahamas – pouches no specific rule found, snus no specific rule found
- Barbados – pouches no specific rule found, snus legal
- Belize – pouches no specific rule found, snus no specific rule found
- Bolivia – pouches no specific rule found, snus legal
- Brazil – pouches banned, snus banned
- Canada – pouches legal with restrictions, snus legal
- Colombia – pouches legal with restrictions, snus legal
- Costa Rica – pouches no specific rule found, snus legal
Where are nicotine pouches legal?Where is snus legal?Strength limits by countryAge limits by country
Sources
- Informe Técnico RCS Nº 49-A (diciembre 2025 a febrero 2026): bolsitas con nicotina – Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile (ISP) (Regulator, 1 April 2026; accessed 4 September 2026) , not re-verified
- Ley 21.642: modifica la ley Nº 19.419 para prohibir la venta de cigarrillos electrónicos a menores de edad y asimilar a productos de tabaco los SEAN, mecanismos semejantes sin nicotina y productos de tabaco calentado – Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile (Legislation, 4 January 2024; accessed 4 September 2026) , not re-verified
- Using pouches in Chile (country profile) – Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) (NGO / research; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“As of January 1, 2024, there is no regulatory status regarding Nicotine Pouches in Chile”
- Traditional smokeless use in Chile (country profile) – Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) (NGO / research; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Traditional Smokeless is allowed. Traditional Smokeless is legal to use.”
- Chile legal summary (Ley 19.419, minimum age 18) – Tobacco Control Laws, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (NGO / research; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.”
Record last verified 4 September 2026. Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us and we will re-check the source.