Are snus and nicotine pouches legal in Peru?
Nicotine pouches are legal in Peru for adults: Law No. 32159 of 12 November 2024 on the control of tobacco, nicotine and substitute products explicitly brings nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco under tobacco-style rules (no sale to under-18s, advertising limits, health warnings), and ZYN and VELO are sold openly since 2026. The implementing regulation was still pending as of 2026. Tobacco snus is legal as a tobacco product under the same law, 18+, with no smokeless-specific ban. Travellers over 18 may bring 20 packs of cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco duty-free.
South America
Peru 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) | Allowed | Allowed |
| Online sale inside the country | Unclear | Allowed |
| Regulated | as a nicotine product (own category) | as a tobacco product |
| Minimum age | 18 | 18 |
| Nicotine strength cap | No legal cap found | No legal cap found |
| Flavours | No flavour restrictions | Unclear |
| Excise tax | Unclear | Unclear |
| Legal basis | Ley No. 32159, Ley del control del consumo de productos de tabaco, nicotina o sucedáneos de ambos (2024) | Ley No. 32159 (2024), previously Ley No. 28705 (2006) and Ley No. 29517 (2010) |
| In force since | 12 November 2024 | – |
Medium confidence: Based on consistent secondary sources; primary text not yet verified. Research tier 2. How we verify.
Nicotine pouches in Peru
Legal, 18+, Law 32159 (2024).
Tobacco Control Laws states that Law 32159 'introduces regulations on heated tobacco products, electronic nicotine delivery systems, electronic non-nicotine delivery systems, and nicotine pouches'. The law replaced Laws 28705 and 29517. Press analysis (Salud con Lupa) notes the final text dropped a flavour ban and reduced warning size to 30 per cent; advertising is banned in broadcast media and near schools but not on social media. Ministerial Resolution 734/2025 (30 Oct 2025) was issued under the law; the full reglamento was still awaited in 2026 (health groups campaigned '#ReglamentoYA'). PMI launched ZYN in Peru in March 2026; BAT's VELO is sold via delivery apps at 4 to 6 mg per pouch. Age limit 18 follows the general tobacco/nicotine rule.
Sources: Tobacco Control Laws, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Salud con Lupa, BHTV
Tobacco snus in Peru
Legal, 18+, general tobacco law.
Peruvian tobacco law does not specifically prohibit smokeless tobacco; sale to under-18s is prohibited and internet sale was unrestricted under the previous law. GSTHR lists snus as 'Allowed' with products marketed, but its data is from 2014. Swedish-style snus has no significant retail presence.
Tax: Selective consumption tax (ISC) applies to tobacco products; smokeless rate not confirmed.
Sources: Tobacco Control Laws, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Tobacco Control Laws, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR)
Bringing snus or nicotine pouches into Peru
| For personal use | Allowed Travellers aged 18 or over: 20 packs of cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 g of cut or loose tobacco, duty-free as accompanied baggage. Snus and pouches are not itemised; snus would count as tobacco. |
| Declaration | Not required within the allowance |
| Penalties | No specific penalty information found. |
SUNAT's baggage regime (Régimen Aduanero Especial de Equipaje y Menaje de Casa) lists these quantities as goods not subject to duty.
Full travel guide: can you bring snus and nicotine pouches to Peru?
Buying snus and pouches in Peru
- Nicotine pouches sold in shops: Yes
- Brands commonly seen: ZYN, VELO
Pending and proposed changes
- Implementing regulation (reglamento) of Law 32159 covering e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches was still pending in 2026; Ministerial Resolution 734/2025 was issued in October 2025 and is not yet analysed by Tobacco Control Laws. Expected: 2026. Status: proposed.
Frequently asked questions
Are nicotine pouches legal in Peru?
Yes, for adults. Law 32159 of November 2024 regulates nicotine pouches alongside tobacco, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco: no sale to under-18s, advertising limits and health warnings. ZYN and VELO are sold in Peru.
Is snus legal in Peru?
Yes. Peruvian tobacco law covers all tobacco products and does not ban smokeless tobacco. The minimum age is 18. GSTHR lists snus as allowed, though it is rarely stocked.
How much snus or tobacco can I bring into Peru?
Travellers over 18 may bring 20 packs of cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco duty-free. Nicotine pouches are not listed separately in SUNAT's allowance.
What is the age limit for nicotine pouches in Peru?
18. Law 32159 prohibits selling tobacco, nicotine and substitute products, including nicotine pouches, to minors.
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
- Peru: 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.”
- Peru: Laws and regulations (Law No. 32159 of 12 November 2024) – Tobacco Control Laws, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (NGO / research; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“introduces regulations on heated tobacco products, electronic nicotine delivery systems, electronic non-nicotine delivery systems, and nicotine pouches”
- Using snus in Peru – Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) (NGO / research; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Regulatory status: Allowed”
- Congreso aprueba una regulación débil para la venta de cigarrillos electrónicos – Salud con Lupa (News, 23 September 2024; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Los canales por los que se prohíbe la publicidad no incluye a las redes sociales”
- ZYN llega a Perú y marca un nuevo capítulo en la categoría libre de humo – BHTV (News, 27 March 2026; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“ZYN no es un producto para menores de edad ni para personas que no fuman”
- Bienes considerados como equipaje inafectos al pago de tributos – SUNAT (Customs; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Cajetillas de cigarrillos; o, 20 unid. Cigarros puros; o, 50 unid. Tabaco picado o en hebras para fumar. 250 gramos.”
Record last verified 4 September 2026. Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us and we will re-check the source.