Are snus and nicotine pouches legal in Iceland?
Tobacco-free nicotine pouches are legal in Iceland for adults aged 18 and over under the Act on Nicotine Products, E-cigarettes and Refills (No. 87/2018, extended to nicotine products in July 2022); the maximum strength is 20 mg nicotine per gram and, since March 2026, retailers need a licence. Swedish-style tobacco snus is banned: the Tobacco Control Act prohibits importing, producing and selling finely ground snuff and all oral tobacco, and customs lists moist oral snuff, including in bags, as a prohibited import. Travellers aged 18+ may bring 200 cigarettes or 250 g of other tobacco products duty-free.
Northern Europe, EEA member
Iceland at a glance
| Nicotine pouches (tobacco-free) | Tobacco snus | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale to adults | Legal with restrictions | Banned |
| Possession and use | Legal | Legal |
| Personal import (mail order, bringing in) | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Online sale inside the country | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Regulated | as a nicotine product (own category) | as a tobacco product |
| Minimum age | 18 | 18 |
| Nicotine strength cap | 20 mg/g | No legal cap found |
| Flavours | No flavour restrictions | Unclear |
| Excise tax | Unclear | Unclear |
| Legal basis | Lög nr. 87/2018 um nikótínvörur, rafrettur og áfyllingar fyrir rafrettur (as amended by L. 56/2022 and L. 11/2026); Reglugerð nr. 992/2022 (notification, licensing, max nicotine content); Reglugerð nr. 991/2022 (labelling) | Lög um tóbaksvarnir nr. 6/2002, 8. gr. (ban on importing, producing and selling finely ground nasal snuff and all oral tobacco except chewing tobacco) |
| In force since | 12 July 2022 | – |
High confidence: Checked against legislation or an official government source. Research tier 1. How we verify.
Nicotine pouches in Iceland
Legal, 18+, max 20 mg/g, licensed sale.
A 'nikótínvara' is a product containing nicotine (from tobacco or not) with no other tobacco-derived substances, not for inhalation, e.g. a nicotine pouch. Sale or handing over to under-18s is prohibited; sellers must be 18. Only products with at most 20 mg/g nicotine may be sold (reg. 992/2022 art. 6). Manufacturers/importers must notify the Housing, Construction and Planning Agency (HMS) before marketing; since Act 11/2026 (in force 5 March 2026) retail sale requires a licence from HMS and wholesalers may only supply licensed retailers. Packs must carry Icelandic warnings, state nicotine content in mg/g and per pouch, and may not target children; additives such as vitamins, caffeine/taurine or CMR substances are prohibited. Use is banned in schools and other premises for children. No characterising-flavour ban for pouches (the minister may restrict flavours in e-cigarettes by regulation). GSTHR reports a 2026 government plan to tighten access further.
Sources: Alþingi, Stjórnartíðindi / Ísland.is, Stjórnartíðindi / Ísland.is, Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR)
Tobacco snus in Iceland
Banned (import, sale and production).
Article 8 of the Tobacco Control Act: it is prohibited to import, manufacture and sell finely ground nasal snuff and all oral tobacco ('munntóbak'), except chewing tobacco (skro). 'Munntóbak' is defined as tobacco for oral use in powder or fine-particle form, including products in portion bags, i.e. Swedish-style snus. Customs lists 'moist snuff to be used orally, also available in bags' and 'finely powdered snuff' among prohibited imports, so travellers may not bring snus in. The coarse Icelandic nasal snuff ('neftóbak', often used under the lip) is legal and sold domestically. Possession and use of snus are not offences. Age limit for tobacco is 18.
Sources: Alþingi, Skatturinn – Iceland Revenue and Customs, Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR), Tobacco Control Laws (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids)
Bringing snus or nicotine pouches into Iceland
| For personal use | Allowed with limits 200 cigarettes or 250 g of other tobacco products duty-free per traveller aged 18 or over (nicotine pouches fall within the general duty-free goods allowance). Tobacco snus (moist oral snuff, incl. bags) and finely powdered snuff are prohibited imports. |
| Declaration | Not required within the allowance |
| Penalties | Prohibited goods are seized; goods above the allowance must be declared and duty paid. |
Minimum age 18 for bringing tobacco into Iceland (20 for alcohol). The allowance must be in the traveller's own possession and cannot be transferred.
Full travel guide: can you bring snus and nicotine pouches to Iceland?
Buying snus and pouches in Iceland
- Nicotine pouches sold in shops: Yes
- Tobacco snus sold in shops: No
- Brands commonly seen: VELO, ZYN, LOOP, Nordic Spirit
Pending and proposed changes
- Act 11/2026 (in force 5 March 2026) introduced a retail licensing requirement for nicotine products; GSTHR reports the government faces backlash over a plan to tighten access to nicotine pouches further. Status: proposed.
Frequently asked questions
Are nicotine pouches legal in Iceland?
Yes. Tobacco-free nicotine pouches are legal for people aged 18 or over. They may contain at most 20 mg nicotine per gram, must be notified to the authorities and carry Icelandic warnings, and since March 2026 may only be sold by licensed retailers.
Is snus legal in Iceland?
No. Importing, producing and selling finely ground snuff and all oral tobacco (Swedish-style snus, including portion bags) is prohibited under the Tobacco Control Act. Only chewing tobacco and the coarse Icelandic nasal snuff are exempt. Using snus is not itself an offence.
Can I bring snus into Iceland?
No. Icelandic customs lists moist snuff for oral use, including in bags, and finely powdered snuff among prohibited imports. Nicotine pouches without tobacco can be brought in for personal use; the general tobacco allowance is 200 cigarettes or 250 g of other tobacco products for travellers aged 18+.
What is the age limit for nicotine pouches in Iceland?
18. Nicotine products, e-cigarettes and refills may not be sold or handed over to children, and buyers must show ID if in doubt. Sellers must also be 18 or over.
How strong can nicotine pouches be in Iceland?
Regulation 992/2022 allows only nicotine products with a maximum of 20 mg nicotine per gram to be sold. Packs must state the nicotine content in mg/g and per pouch.
Nearby in the atlas
- Albania – pouches unregulated (sold openly), snus banned
- Andorra – pouches no specific rule found, snus no specific rule found
- Austria – pouches legal with restrictions, snus banned
- Belarus – pouches unregulated (sold openly), snus legal
- Belgium – pouches banned, snus banned
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – pouches no specific rule found, snus legal
- Bulgaria – pouches legal with restrictions, snus banned
- Croatia – pouches legal, snus banned
- Cyprus – pouches prescription only, snus banned
- Czechia – pouches legal with restrictions, snus banned
Where are nicotine pouches legal?Where is snus legal?Strength limits by countryAge limits by country
Sources
- Lög um nikótínvörur, rafrettur og áfyllingar fyrir rafrettur nr. 87/2018 (consolidated 20 April 2026) – Alþingi (Legislation, 25 June 2018; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Nikótínvara: Vara sem inniheldur nikótín, hvort sem nikótínið er unnið úr tóbaki eða ekki, og varan inniheldur að öðru leyti ekki efni sem unnin eru úr tóbaki, t.d. nikótínpúði, en er ekki til innöndunar. [...] Nikótínvörur, rafrettur og áfyllingar má hvorki selja né afhenda börnum. [...] Til að selja nikótínvörur og rafrettur og áfyllingar fyrir rafrettur í smásölu þarf sérstakt leyfi”
- Reglugerð nr. 992/2022 um tilkynningar um markaðssetningu, auk leyfisveitinga, og innihaldsefni nikótínvara, rafrettna og áfyllinga fyrir rafrettur sem innihalda nikótín – Stjórnartíðindi / Ísland.is (Legislation, 1 January 2022; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Einungis er heimilt að selja nikótínvörur sem innihalda að hámarki 20 mg/g af nikótíni.”
- Reglugerð nr. 991/2022 um merkingar á umbúðum sem fylgja skulu nikótínvörum, rafrettum og áfyllingum fyrir þær – Stjórnartíðindi / Ísland.is (Legislation, 1 January 2022; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Á einingapökkum og öllum ytri umbúðum nikótínvara skal tilgreina hlutfall nikótíns í mg/g. Jafnframt skal tilgreina magn nikótíns í hverjum skammti eða púða.”
- Lög um tóbaksvarnir nr. 6/2002 (consolidated) – Alþingi (Legislation, 31 January 2002; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Tóbak má hvorki selja né afhenda einstaklingum yngri en 18 ára. [...] Bannað er að flytja inn, framleiða og selja fínkornótt neftóbak og allt munntóbak, að undanskildu skrotóbaki.”
- Duty free imports – Skatturinn – Iceland Revenue and Customs (Customs; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Tobacco: 200 cigarettes or 250 g of other tobacco products. The minimum age for bringing alcoholic beverages into Iceland is 20 years and 18 years for tobaccos. [...] Among articles which are prohibited from importation are the following types of products: [...] Finely powdered snuff. Moist snuff to be used orally, also available in bags.”
- Iceland country profile – Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) (NGO / research; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“while Swedish snus is banned, Icelanders import a slightly different cut of what is officially known as nasal tobacco.”
- Iceland: legislation summary – Tobacco Control Laws (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids) (NGO / research; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Smokeless tobacco products, other than chewing tobacco, are prohibited.”
Record last verified 4 September 2026. Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us and we will re-check the source.