Can I bring nicotine pouches (white snus, no tobacco) from Scandinavia into Korea?

Good question. Here's what you need to know about bringing nicotine pouches into Korea:

Legal status: Nicotine pouches (tobacco-free, like ZYN or VELO) fall into a gray area in Korean regulations. They are not classified the same as traditional tobacco products. Korea Customs classifies nicotine products under health-related items. Since these contain nicotine but no tobacco leaf, they may be treated as a nicotine-containing product rather than a tobacco product.

What you can bring: For personal use, you can generally bring a reasonable amount (a few tins) without issues at customs. The standard tobacco duty-free allowance is 200 cigarettes or 250g of other tobacco products, but since nicotine pouches are not technically tobacco, this may not apply directly. Keep them in your carry-on or checked luggage in original packaging.

Practical advice: Bring a reasonable personal supply. Customs officers are unlikely to question a few tins. If you bring a large quantity (like a full carton of 20+ tins), you might be questioned and could face duty charges. You cannot easily buy these in Korea. They are not widely sold here. Some people order from iHerb or overseas sites, but delivery can be hit-or-miss with customs.

If asked at customs, explain they are for personal use and contain no tobacco. Having the ingredient list visible on the packaging helps.