Can You Bring E-Cigarettes Into Macau? No Declaration May Lead to Prosecution or Fines

During the National Day holiday, many people choose to travel to Macau. For heavy smokers, e-cigarettes are indispensable. So, can you bring e-cigarettes into Macau? How should they be carried across the border?

Recently, customs officials at Macau International Airport and the Border Gate seized two cases of illegal importation of a large quantity of tobacco products, including 10,000 sticks of “homogenized” tobacco (e-cigarette pods) and 4,200 cigarettes. The customs has legally prosecuted the two individuals involved.

On the afternoon of September 30, customs officers at Macau International Airport intercepted a female traveler entering the country and found a large quantity of tobacco products hidden in four plastic bags, totaling 10,000 sticks of “homogenized” tobacco (e-cigarette pods). That same evening, customs officers at the Border Gate inspected a local female resident returning to Macau and found 4,200 cigarettes in her carry-on luggage.
 

The two individuals involved are residents from mainland China and Macau, both of whom chose the green channel (no declaration channel) to pass through customs to evade inspection. Their ages are 26 and 64, respectively. Since they could not provide valid declaration documents, customs has prosecuted them under the Foreign Trade Law. Penalties can range from 5,000 to 100,000 Macanese Patacas, and the seized goods will be declared as property of the Macau Special Administrative Region.

According to Macau law, travelers bringing e-cigarettes into the region must declare them according to the general declaration method under the Foreign Trade Law. Additionally, for goods intended for personal use or consumption, the total weight of such processed tobacco and tobacco substitutes, “homogenized” or “reconstituted” tobacco, tobacco extracts, and essences must not exceed 25 grams per person per day.

If travelers fail to declare, illegally smuggle, or exceed the allowed quantity of these tobacco products, Macau customs will prosecute them according to the law. Offenders may face fines, and the seized goods will also be declared as property of the Macau SAR.

In summary, you can bring e-cigarettes into Macau, but you must declare them. Failure to do so will result in fines. Lastly, avoid using e-cigarettes in public places and be mindful of the setting.