Importing nicotine pouches - Germany, Austria, Finland and the USA (2025–2026)

Germany - import allowed but sale and onward resale restricted

In Germany the situation is nuanced: importing nicotine pouches for personal use is treated differently from selling them. Currently, sales (and likely onward resale) of nicotine pouches remain prohibited under national/regulatory classifications, and authorities treat many pouches as unauthorized novel products, meaning they cannot be offered for sale. At the same time, political debate continues and lawmakers are discussing whether to change the status quo. If you import for private use you face less regulatory exposure than if you import with the intent to resell.

Practical note: don’t advertise cross-border packs as “for resale in Germany” while laws are unsettled; regulators are actively reviewing product classifications and market access.

Austria - import currently allowed; nicotine tax planned for 2026

Austria currently allows the import and sale of nicotine pouches and white snus. As of 2025 there has not been a specific nicotine pouch import tax in force, but national discussions and tax planning indicate that a nicotine/tobacco-style tax on pouches is expected to be introduced in 2026. Implementation details, such as how customs will screen or stop parcels remain unclear, so importers should monitor announcements closely. 

Practical note: if you import to Austria in late 2025–2026, prepare for potential additional tax charges and check whether your customs paperwork needs to change after the tax comes into force.

Finland - distance sales restricted; traveller imports will be limited from Feb 1, 2026

Finnish rules split online/distance sales and traveller imports. Distance sales (e-commerce shipments into Finland) are being restricted: cross-border online ordering has been progressively limited. Traveller imports goods you personally bring into Finland by car, ferry, or plane, have historically been allowed; however, customs rules changing in 2026 will set clearer quantitative limits. From 1 February 2026 Finland’s customs rules will permit up to 1 kg of snus and nicotine pouches per person (roughly ~30 cans or ~2 towers) under duty-free limits, with accompanying value limits for tax exemption. 

Practical note: for e-commerce sellers, Finland is a high-risk market for cross-border parcel sales; consider restricting shipments or adding compliance checks for Finnish orders.

United States - imports allowed but many brands are unauthorized; FDA approvals matter

In the U.S. it is generally legal to import nicotine pouches and white snus for personal use, but commercial sale depends on FDA market authorizations. The FDA has begun authorizing certain nicotine pouch products (for example, multiple ZYN SKUs were authorized in 2025), while many other brands remain unauthorized and effectively “red-listed” for lawful sale. Importantly, customs may detain or seize shipments if products are not authorized for the U.S. market, and many brands have ongoing premarket applications that can take a very long time to resolve. 

Practical note: if you import to the U.S. for resale, only offer products with clear FDA authorization; otherwise you risk confiscation and regulatory enforcement.

Here you can read more about White Snus.