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Is IQOS legal in Singapore?
No. Singapore's Health Sciences Authority says possessing and using emerging tobacco products, including heated tobacco products such as IQOS, have been prohibited since 1 February 2018. From 1 May 2026, individuals face fines of up to 10,000 Singapore dollars. Singapore does not treat heated tobacco as a lower-risk exception.
The law was renamed the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act from 1 May 2026. We found no official statement of a transit exemption, so travellers changing flights in Singapore should not assume one.
HSA publishes enforcement updates on its own website.
Can I take IQOS through Hong Kong?
Hong Kong Customs says importing alternative smoking products, including heated tobacco, has been banned since 30 April 2022, with an exemption for air transit passengers who do not pass through immigration control. Since 30 April 2026, possessing heat sticks in public places is also an offence.
The government announced a fixed penalty of 3,000 Hong Kong dollars for up to 100 sticks, with prosecution above that, up to 50,000 Hong Kong dollars and six months' imprisonment.
The heat-stick possession rule is separate from the import ban, so even people living in Hong Kong are affected in public places.
Is IQOS allowed in Taiwan?
Only in a narrow way. Taiwan's amendment in force from 22 March 2023 bans e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products need a health risk assessment approval before import. Taipei Customs says travellers aged 20 and over may bring only approved products bought at Taiwan airport duty-free, up to 200 sticks.
Customs also warns against buying heated tobacco abroad and bringing it in, so a device from Thailand's neighbours is not covered by that allowance.
Taipei Customs writes its allowance only for travellers aged 20 and over.
Is IQOS legal in Vietnam?
No. The World Health Organization's Viet Nam office reports that National Assembly Resolution 173/2024/QH15 bans the production, trade, import, storage, transport and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The ban covers use, not only commercial activity. Travellers should not expect a personal allowance.
The exact start date is not stated in the English-language sources we could verify, so we do not give one.
Viet Nam's decision was welcomed by the WHO country office, whose statement we use as the English-language source.
What is the position in mainland China?
The Tobacco Control Laws database says China regulates heated tobacco products as cigarettes under its state tobacco system. We did not find an official English source stating what travellers may carry, so check with Chinese customs or your airline before travelling.
We mark this as unverified rather than guess, because an incorrect answer would fall on the traveller.
Where in the region is heated tobacco legal?
Japan and Malaysia allow it under regulation. Philip Morris International says IQOS started in Japan in 2014 and went nationwide in 2015, and the legal age there is 20. Malaysia regulates heated tobacco under its 2024 smoking products law. Rules on where use is allowed still apply locally.
Being legal in one country does not change the position when you arrive in Thailand. See bringing IQOS into Thailand.
Legal status in a country does not mean use is allowed everywhere there; local smoking rules still apply.
Can I carry IQOS from Japan back through Thailand?
Not lawfully, according to official advice. The Thai import ban applies to heated tobacco products regardless of where they were bought, and UK advice says possession in Thailand is illegal with no exception for tourists. Transit plans do not change that answer.
For stick-specific questions see TEREA in Thailand. For the aircraft side see flying with IQOS.
A layover inside Thailand also counts as arriving if you pass through immigration.
How should I check a destination I don't see here?
Look up the destination's customs or health authority, then your own government's travel advice for that country, then your airline's dangerous goods rules. Laws in this area changed several times in 2026, so old forum posts and social media are not reliable.
Each fact on this page is linked to its official source at the end, with the date we last checked it.
| Destination | Summary | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | Possession and use banned | HSA |
| Hong Kong | Import banned (air transit exempt) · heat sticks in public an offence since 30 Apr 2026 | HK Customs · HK Government |
| Taiwan | Approved products only, airport duty-free, max 200 sticks | HPA · Taipei Customs |
| Vietnam | Banned including use | WHO Viet Nam |
| China | Regulated as cigarettes · traveller rules unverified | Tobacco Control Laws |
| Japan | Legal, age 20+ | PMI · Tobacco Control Laws |
| Malaysia | Legal under 2024 law | Tobacco Control Laws |
| Thailand | Illegal | GOV.UK · Tobacco Control Laws |
Frequently asked questions
Can I transit in Singapore with IQOS?
Can I transit in Hong Kong with IQOS?
Is IQOS legal in South Korea?
Can I bring TEREA from Japan to Taiwan?
Is IQOS legal in Vietnam in 2026?
When was this page last checked?
Sources
- Vaping enforcement — Health Sciences Authority Singapore
- Alternative smoking products — Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department
- Heat sticks possession offence from 30 April 2026 — Hong Kong Government press release
- Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act amendment — HPA, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan
- Heated tobacco products and travellers — Taipei Customs
- WHO welcomes Viet Nam's ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products — WHO Viet Nam
- China — Tobacco Control Laws
- PMI in Japan — overview
- Japan — Tobacco Control Laws
- Malaysia — Heated tobacco products (Tobacco Control Laws)
- Thailand travel advice: safety and security — GOV.UK
Read more
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Join the IQOS User Group (Thai-language LINE group)
A space for IQOS users to exchange information with each other — not a commercial channel of any kind. For readers aged 20+ only. Note: this is a Thai-language LINE group.
Join the IQOS User Group (Thai-language LINE group)