Are snus and nicotine pouches legal in Panama?
Nicotine pouches are available in Panama and, according to the government's 2025 WHO FCTC report, are regulated under existing tobacco law rather than banned; Law 315 of 2022, which prohibited e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, was struck down by the Supreme Court on 14 May 2024 and did not cover oral pouches anyway. Bills 263, 347 and 467, being merged in the National Assembly in 2026, would re-regulate or ban vapes and include oral nicotine pouches. Tobacco snus is legal as a tobacco product under Law 13 of 2008 (18+); GSTHR lists it as allowed. No official customs tobacco allowance page could be retrieved.
Central America
Panama at a glance
| Nicotine pouches (tobacco-free) | Tobacco snus | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale to adults | Legal | Legal |
| Possession and use | Legal | Legal |
| Personal import (mail order, bringing in) | Unclear | Unclear |
| Online sale inside the country | Unclear | Allowed |
| Regulated | as a tobacco product | as a tobacco product |
| Minimum age | 18 | 18 |
| Nicotine strength cap | No legal cap found | No legal cap found |
| Flavours | Unclear | Unclear |
| Excise tax | Unclear | Yes |
| Legal basis | Ley No. 13 de 24 de enero de 2008 (tobacco control), as applied to nicotine products | Ley No. 13 de 24 de enero de 2008 |
| In force since | – | 1 January 2008 |
Medium confidence: Based on consistent secondary sources; primary text not yet verified. Research tier 2. How we verify.
Nicotine pouches in Panama
Legal, treated as tobacco product; bills pending.
Panama's 2025 WHO FCTC implementation report answers 'Yes, they are available' and 'Yes, they are regulated' for nicotine pouches (section 3.10), without naming a pouch-specific instrument. Law 315 (30 June 2022) banned use, import and sale of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco but not oral pouches; the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional on 14 May 2024 on procedural grounds. The FCTC report notes that since the repeal, advertising of e-cigarettes and 'innovative products' has intensified and a bill to ban ENDS and heated tobacco is before the Assembly. Ecigator (March 2026) reports three bills (263, 347, 467) being merged; Bill 467 covers marketing standards for emerging products including oral nicotine pouches. The 18-year limit follows the general tobacco rule.
Sources: WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (report submitted by Panama), La Prensa (Panama), Ecigator
Tobacco snus in Panama
Legal, 18+, general tobacco law.
Tobacco Control Laws: sale of tobacco products prohibited to under-18s; no restriction on internet sale. The FCTC report states smokeless tobacco products are regulated. GSTHR lists snus as 'Allowed' with products marketed (2014 industry data). Swedish-style snus has no significant retail presence.
Tax: Selective consumption tax (ISC) applies to tobacco products; rate for smokeless not confirmed.
Sources: Tobacco Control Laws, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR), WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (report submitted by Panama)
Bringing snus or nicotine pouches into Panama
| For personal use | Allowed Travellers may bring goods for personal use plus additional non-commercial merchandise up to B/. 500. A published tobacco quantity could not be retrieved from the Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas; third-party guides cite 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 g of tobacco. |
| Declaration | Unclear |
| Penalties | No specific penalty information found. |
The customs authority website (ana.gob.pa) was behind a bot check when accessed. Since the May 2024 court ruling there is no import ban on vapes; pouches were never covered by Law 315.
Full travel guide: can you bring snus and nicotine pouches to Panama?
Buying snus and pouches in Panama
- Nicotine pouches sold in shops: Yes
Pending and proposed changes
- Bills 263 (total ban on ENDS), 347 (use restrictions) and 467 (marketing and quality standards including oral nicotine pouches) are being merged into one framework by a National Assembly sub-commission; outcome could range from strict regulation to prohibition. Expected: 2026. Status: proposed.
Frequently asked questions
Are nicotine pouches legal in Panama?
Yes. Pouches are available and the government told WHO in 2025 that they are regulated under existing law. The former vape ban (Law 315) never covered oral pouches and was struck down in May 2024. Bills now in the Assembly could change this.
Is snus legal in Panama?
Yes. Snus is a tobacco product under Law 13 of 2008, which bans sale to under-18s but does not prohibit smokeless tobacco. GSTHR lists snus as allowed.
Is vaping banned in Panama and does it affect pouches?
Law 315 of 2022 banned e-cigarettes and heated tobacco but was declared unconstitutional on 14 May 2024, so there is currently no vape ban. Oral nicotine pouches were never part of it.
How much snus can I bring into Panama?
No official tobacco quantity could be confirmed. Travellers may bring personal items plus up to B/. 500 of non-commercial goods; third-party guides cite 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco.
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
- Chile – pouches no specific rule found, snus legal
- Colombia – pouches legal with restrictions, snus legal
Where are nicotine pouches legal?Where is snus legal?Strength limits by countryAge limits by country
Sources
- Panama: Legal Summary – 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.”
- Using snus in Panama – Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) (NGO / research; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Regulatory status: Allowed”
- WHO FCTC 2025 implementation report: Panama – WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (report submitted by Panama) (Government, 8 August 2025; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“3.10.1.6. Nicotine pouches Yes, they are available ... 3.10.2.6. Nicotine pouches Yes, they are regulated”
- Corte Suprema declara inconstitucional la ley que prohíbe los cigarrillos electrónicos y vaporizadores de tabaco – La Prensa (Panama) (News, 14 May 2024; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“si un proyecto de ley es objetado por el Órgano Ejecutivo en su totalidad, volverá a la Asamblea Nacional a tercer debate”
- Prohibición Unificada del Vapeo en Panamá: Legisladores fusionan los proyectos 263, 347 y 467 – Ecigator (Trade press, 11 March 2026; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
Record last verified 4 September 2026. Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us and we will re-check the source.