Vaping rules abroad are a genuinely different landscape to the UK — check before you fly, not after you land. It's easy to assume the rules you're used to at home apply everywhere, but vaping laws vary enormously by country, and they change often enough that it's worth checking shortly before you travel rather than relying on what you read months ago. **Pack your vape in hand luggage, always** Lithium-ion batteries — the kind in every vape device — aren't permitted in the hold on most airlines, for good reason: a fault developing in an unpressurised, unsupervised hold is a much bigger risk than one happening in the cabin where it can be spotted immediately. Your device, spare batteries, and charger should all go in your carry-on, never checked baggage. **Sort your e-liquid before security** Standard airport liquid rules apply to e-liquid bottles just like anything else — generally 100ml per container, all fitting inside one transparent, resealable bag with a total capacity of one litre. It's also worth emptying any refillable tank before you fly and packing your E-Liquids and Nic Salts bottles sealed and upright, since cabin pressure at altitude is lower than at ground level, which increases the risk of leaks in a partially-full tank. **Keep spare batteries in a proper case** If your device uses removable batteries, store them in a dedicated protective case rather than loose in a bag — loose batteries touching keys, coins or each other can short circuit. This is exactly the kind of thing airport security will want to see done properly. **Vaping in the airport and on the plane** Assume vaping isn't permitted in the terminal or on board unless you've specifically checked otherwise — most airports treat it the same as smoking, and using a device on the plane itself is essentially never allowed. If you're unsure, ask airport staff or your airline directly rather than guessing. **Know before you go: some countries restrict or ban vaping outright** This is the part that catches people out most. Countries including Thailand, Singapore, India, Turkey, Mexico, Brazil, and several others in Asia, the Middle East and South America either heavily restrict or fully ban vaping products — in some cases with penalties well beyond a simple fine. Other destinations, including Australia, Japan and South Africa, have more limited restrictions worth checking before you travel. Since these lists change, a quick search for your specific destination's current rules shortly before you fly is worth the two minutes it takes. **Once you've landed** A couple of things people don't always think about: some car hire companies charge a valeting fee if they believe a vehicle's been vaped in, so it's worth checking their policy first. And while it might be tempting to buy a bottle of local e-liquid while you're away, product standards and ingredient quality can vary a lot by country — bringing enough of your usual E-Liquids or Nic Salts from home avoids any surprises. A little bit of preparation goes a long way here. Check your destination's specific rules, pack sensibly, and you shouldn't run into any issues at all.
GuidesAdviceTop Tips
← Back to Blog