Buying pouches in Norway got significantly harder on 1 January 2026.

The private import ban

From 1 January 2026, private individuals in Norway are prohibited from ordering cigarettes, snus, vape and other tobacco and nicotine products from abroad — by any method, including online, telephone, postal, or other distance-sales channels.

This is enforced by the Norwegian customs authority (Tolletaten). In practice, it ends the common workaround of ordering pouches or snus online from abroad.

New products need approval

Separately, businesses that want to import or sell tobacco and nicotine products that were not on the Norwegian market before 19 May 2014 must apply to the Norwegian Directorate of Health for approval. An approval scheme for new tobacco and nicotine products has been in force since 1 July 2021.

The EU/EEA angle

Norway is not an EU member but follows EEA rules. Norway has implemented the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) and remains exempt from the EU ban on oral tobacco (snus) — but nicotine pouches are still caught by the import restrictions unless they meet national approval requirements.

SOURCES:

• Tolletaten (Norwegian customs) — private import of nicotine/tobacco: https://www.toll.no/en/goods/alcohol-and-tobacco/private-importation-of-tobacco-and-snuff
• Tolletaten — new tobacco and nicotine products: https://www.toll.no/en/goods/alcohol-and-tobacco/new-tobacco-and-nicotine-products
• Regjeringen — TPD enters into force in Norway

Where to buy: Compare prices across retailers at PouchFinder.