Nowadays,E-cigarettes is very popular worldwide because it’s often marked as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes. However, it’s still controversial that if it’s good or bad for health. In Taiwan, E-cigarettes have also sparked debates. According to related regulations, such products(mostly containing nicotine)are categorized as medicine, instead of tobacco products, which means they cannot be sold without approval by the relevant authority.

E-cigarettes are battery-operated vaporizers which contain a liquid solution typically consisting of nicotine, various chemical substances such as propylene glycol or glycerol and being heated by the battery producing the aerosol or vapor inhaled by the users.

According to the announcement of the Health Promotion Administration (HPA),Ministry of Health and Welfare, electronic cigarette devices and its liquids are in violation of Article 14 of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, thus no person shall import such products. Furthermore, e-liquids with nicotine are defined as medicine and regulated by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. Passengers who intend to carry e-liquids containing nicotine shall apply for an import permit to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Ministry of Health and Welfare. For the health of the well-being, to this date, there is none of such e-liquids being approved and issued a permit for customs inspection. Therefore, passengers are not allowed to carry e-cigarettes and e-liquids into Taiwan. People who are heading to other countries as next destinations and have short-term layover in Taiwan carrying such items must proceed to the “Goods to Declare” counter (Red Lane) and declare to customs upon arrival. In that way, such items could be deposited at the bonded luggage counter and be retrieved on departure.