For many people, traveling with a vape has already become part of daily life. However, if you’re traveling with an electronic cigarette for the first time, figuring out details like airport regulations, the laws of different countries, or even basic safety precautions for your vape during travel can be somewhat confusing.
The ease of your trip largely depends on how carefully you prepare for the flight. You need to be familiar with official regulations governing the transportation of electronic devices, as well as experienced vapers’ recommendations to protect your device.
In this blog, we’ve outlined 5 key points you should keep in mind before packing your vape in your travel luggage. Fortunately, traveling with a vape today can be completely simple and hassle-free — as long as your priorities are set correctly.
1. Familiarize Yourself with Airline Rules
Before you start packing, the first and most important step is to check the specific airline’s internal policies for which you have purchased (or plan to purchase) tickets. While aviation authorities set general minimum safety standards, each airline has the right to develop its own, stricter rules. For example, some airlines may limit the number of devices allowed on board. Before each trip, make sure to check the airline’s official website, particularly the “Prohibited Items” or “Baggage Information” sections, to ensure that carrying vapes on board is permitted.
It’s best to prepare in advance to simplify the security check process at the airport. Electronic cigarettes, like other electronic devices (e.g., laptops), should be removed from your bag and placed in a separate container for the X-ray scanner. Vape liquids should also be packed according to modern standards: all liquids must be in transparent bottles of no more than 100 ml, and then placed together in a single, clear, sealed bag. Usually, a maximum of 5 such bottles is allowed per traveler. While you generally don’t need to remove this bag from checked luggage, security may ask you to present it separately — so place it in an easily accessible part of your bag.
2. Make Sure Vaping Is Legal at Your Destination
Passing airport security is only the first step in international travel. Just because the airline allows passengers to carry a device doesn’t automatically mean it’s legal in the destination country. Vaping is still a niche area, and global legislation is fragmented and constantly changing. Ignorance of local laws can lead to serious problems, including large fines, deportation, or even imprisonment.
Many countries have completely banned the import, sale, possession, and use of vaping products, including Thailand, Singapore, India, Qatar, Brazil, and Argentina. Thailand is particularly strict — if border authorities find an electronic cigarette in your luggage, you could face up to five years in prison.
In some countries, nicotine-containing liquids are considered prescription medications, requiring a doctor’s authorization to bring them in, such as in Australia. In Turkey, tourists are generally allowed to use vapes, but the sale of these products is prohibited. If traveling there, be sure to bring enough supply for the entire trip.
Currently, most governments still view vaping with suspicion, and there is no unified global regulation. Therefore, always check the specific regulations that apply to the country you are flying to.
3. Prepare Your Vape for the Flight
The main risk when transporting a vape is accidental activation. Aviation authorities consider it the passenger’s responsibility to take “effective measures to prevent accidental activation of the heating element.”
Fortunately, the chances of accidental activation are significantly reduced if you properly prepare your device beforehand.
Most devices have a power-off function, usually activated by pressing the button several times quickly. Ideally, if your device has a removable battery, take it out — this is the most reliable way to prevent accidental activation.
Spare lithium-ion batteries should be individually protected. Metal contact with other objects (e.g., keys or coins) can cause a short circuit, so a protective barrier is necessary. This may sound elaborate, but it requires little effort — a dedicated plastic case, the original packaging, or simply placing each battery in a separate plastic bag is usually sufficient.
4. Golden Rule: Always Keep Your Vape in the Cabin
This is the most important rule to remember when traveling with a vape: all types of electronic devices and spare batteries must always be kept in your carry-on luggage and travel in the aircraft cabin — they should never be placed in checked baggage.
The reason is, once again, the lithium-ion batteries — you must always be able to monitor their condition. If damaged or short-circuited, they can overheat and catch fire. If an incident occurs in the cabin, the crew can respond immediately; in checked baggage, detecting and extinguishing a fire in time is nearly impossible.
Also, make sure that all vape accessories you travel with are securely packed. The most common issue is transporting liquids correctly. During flight, changes in cabin pressure can expand the air in bottles or tanks, causing liquid to leak. To avoid unpleasant surprises, empty your vape tank completely before travel, and fill liquid bottles no more than two-thirds full. This provides enough space for air expansion.
5. Prepare for the Unexpected
Travel rarely goes without surprises. Your vape may get lost, damaged, or simply stop working. Always have a backup plan. If you do not use disposable devices, or are traveling to a country where vapes are not widely available and getting a new device could be logistically difficult, it’s better to bring a spare vape — even a simple, compact pod system can serve as a backup if your main device fails. Conversely, if traveling to a country with a strong vaping presence, buying a disposable vape locally may be the best solution.
Also, stock up on materials. Spare coils don’t take much space, but finding them abroad can be difficult or impossible. The same goes for liquids — bring more than you think you’ll need, especially if traveling to countries with restrictions or few specialized vape shops. Don’t forget your charger and a universal travel adapter — voltage and plug types vary around the world, and without proper preparation, you may not be able to charge your device, or worse, risk damaging it by using an incompatible outlet.
