Vape.ch Travel Guide
Travelling with an E-Cigarette: What should you keep in mind?
E-cigarettes, liquid and batteries should not simply be packed anywhere when travelling. Anyone flying or travelling abroad should check airline rules, liquid limits, customs and local vape laws in advance.
Travel Airplane Hand luggage Customs
When travelling with an e-cigarette, battery, liquid, hand luggage and destination country matter more than many people think.
In short
Vape devices belong in hand luggage on flights, not in checked baggage.
Liquids count as liquids in hand luggage.
Before every trip, check the destination country, airline and customs rules for your return journey.
Travelling with an e-cigarette is usually uncomplicated if you are prepared. Problems mainly arise when batteries end up in the wrong luggage, liquids leak, local bans are ignored or duty-free allowances are exceeded when returning.
The most important rule: do not only think about the Swiss situation. Abroad, e-cigarettes, liquids, nicotine products or disposables may be regulated differently. In some countries, sale, import, possession or use is strongly restricted or prohibited.
The most important classification
When flying, e-cigarettes and vape devices generally belong in hand luggage because of their lithium batteries. Use and charging on board are not permitted.
E-cigarette on a plane: hand luggage or suitcase?
E-cigarettes, vape pens and other electronic smoking devices with batteries may only be carried in hand luggage with many airlines. They do not belong in checked baggage. The reason is the lithium battery: if a battery is damaged or overheats, the cabin crew can react faster than in the cargo hold.
It is also important that the device is protected against accidental activation. Switch it off, lock it, pack it safely and do not transport it loose between metal objects.
Can you vape on a plane?
No. Vaping on board is not permitted. Charging an e-cigarette during the flight is also expressly prohibited by many airlines. This applies even if the device is allowed in hand luggage.
At the airport, you should also only vape where it is expressly permitted. Many airports treat e-cigarettes similarly to smoking and only allow use in designated smoking areas.
Device with battery
Into hand luggage, switched off and protected against activation.
Liquid
Treat as a liquid in hand luggage and pack leak-proof.
Liquids in hand luggage
E-liquids count as liquids in hand luggage. This means the usual liquid rules of the airport and airline apply. In practice, this often means small containers and a transparent liquid bag. The exact rules can vary depending on airport and country.
Anyone wanting to take larger quantities of liquid should check whether they are permitted in checked baggage and how they must be secured against leakage. Liquid bottles should always be tightly closed and additionally packed in a bag. Pressure differences can cause tanks and bottles to leak.
Practical rule
Do not fill the tank completely before the flight. Pressure differences can push liquid out of the atomiser.
Batteries, spare batteries and power banks
Loose batteries and power banks also belong in hand luggage. Contacts should be protected against short circuits, for example with battery boxes or suitable protective caps. Loose batteries in trouser pockets or bags with keys, coins or metal parts are not a good idea.
For devices with a built-in battery, the same applies: switch off the device, store it safely and protect it against accidental activation. If unsure, always check the airline rules before departure.
Vaping abroad: check in advance
Rules differ significantly worldwide. In some countries, vaping is regulated similarly to smoking; in others, import, sales or use bans apply. Countries that do not allow e-cigarettes or nicotine products, or prohibit import, can be particularly strict.
You should therefore check before every trip: May I import the e-cigarette? May I take liquid with me? Is nicotine allowed? Are disposables prohibited? Where may I vape? Are my products enough for the trip, or can I legally buy more locally?
Returning to Switzerland: observe duty-free allowances
Anyone returning to Switzerland from abroad should observe Swiss duty-free allowances. The BAZG lists, among other things, 250 ml of nicotine-containing liquid for e-cigarettes or 25 disposable e-cigarettes as duty-free allowances for travellers. If these quantities are exceeded, duties may apply.
This means that bringing large quantities of liquid or many disposable devices from abroad is not only a question of space, but also a customs and duties issue. If unsure, declaring is better than risking problems on entry.
What should you prepare before travelling?
A small travel checklist makes sense: clean the device, charge the battery, tightly close liquid bottles, bring spare pods or coils, pack batteries safely and check in good time whether vaping is allowed in the destination country. Anyone dependent on nicotine should not only discover at the airport that the destination has strict rules.
For longer trips, a simple, reliable setup is often better than a complicated system with many individual parts. It is also important not to store products in a hot car or in direct sunlight, especially on summer holidays.
Conclusion
Travelling with an e-cigarette is possible, but not without preparation. Hand luggage, battery safety, liquid rules, airline requirements and the laws in the destination country are decisive.
Anyone who checks before travelling whether vaping is allowed in the destination country and how much liquid can be brought back into Switzerland duty-free avoids unnecessary problems.
Frequently asked questions
Can the e-cigarette go in the suitcase?
Devices with batteries belong in hand luggage when flying. They should not go into checked baggage, as lithium batteries can be problematic in the cargo hold.
Can you vape on a plane?
No. Vaping on board is not permitted. Charging an e-cigarette during the flight is also prohibited by many airlines.
How do you transport liquid on a plane?
In hand luggage, liquids count as liquids and must be transported according to the liquid rules. Bottles should always be additionally secured against leakage.
How much liquid may you import into Switzerland?
The BAZG lists, among other things, 250 ml of nicotine-containing liquid for e-cigarettes as a duty-free allowance for travellers. Larger quantities may be subject to duties.
