Can You Purchase Snus and Nicotine Pouches in New Zealand?

The origins of snus and nicotine pouches like ZYN lie in Sweden, more than 16,000 kilometers away from New Zealand. That hasn’t prevented Kiwis from developing a taste for these traditional Scandinavian products, but the legal landscape has been changing fast over the last few years.

The good news is that Snusdirect is very much open for business in New Zealand, and we stock various products that can be legally imported.

In this guide, we’ll run through current New Zealand legislation regarding nicotine products and how to buy some of the leading brands on the market.

Quick Takeaways

• Snus and tobacco-derived nicotine products can be imported into New Zealand for personal use.
• Synthetic nicotine products cannot be imported into New Zealand, unless for therapeutic use.
• Oral nicotine products cannot be distributed in New Zealand, but individuals can import them.
• Snusdirect sells a range of snus and nicotine pouches that can be imported into New Zealand.

Can You Buy Snus in NZ?

The New Zealand government recently released information confirming the legal status of tobacco and nicotine products in the country.

Crucially, snus is a tobacco product. Products that contain tobacco can legally be imported into New Zealand for personal use, so it’s authorized to buy snus online. This isn’t the case for products that use synthetic nicotine — but we’ll get to that shortly.

As well as snus, New Zealanders can also import products like chewing tobacco and nasal snuff.

Are Nicotine Pouches Legal in New Zealand?

Although nicotine pouches and snus both contain nicotine, their legal status can vary. This primarily depends on one factor — whether the product contains synthetic or non-synthetic nicotine (derived from the tobacco plant).

When pouches contain synthetic nicotine (meaning the nicotine is synthetically created in a lab), they cannot be legally imported into New Zealand — whether for distribution or personal use.

The only exception is when the product has been approved for medicinal or therapeutic use.

Fortunately, many of the most popular brands we stock here on Snusdirect do contain tobacco-derived nicotine.

Is ZYN Legal in NZ?

ZYN nicotine pouches use tobacco-derived nicotine, meaning New Zealanders are free to import them for their personal use.

However, bear in mind the Labour Government banned the sale of ZYNs and other nicotine pouches within New Zealand, so they won’t be sold in local stores.

Where Can I Buy ZYN from New Zealand?

Since ZYNs aren’t sold in local shops, buying them online is the easiest way to access them.

There are various online retailers that stock ZYN, including SnusDirect.

It may also be possible to travel with nicotine pouches on a plane and bring them into the country this way. However, it’s always best to check with the airline.

Which Other Nicotine Pouch Brands Are Available in New Zealand?

ZYN is probably the best-known nicotine pouch brand in the world, and there’s little denying that the products taste great. But believe it or not, there are other great brands out there!

Below, we’ve listed some of our best-selling options on Snusdirect.

Nico Nicotine Pouches

Nico nicotine pouches are Scandinavian through and through. They are produced in Scandinavia using traditional Swedish methods with premium Swiss ingredients, and quality is assured throughout the process.

Nico Whip Alpine provides a refreshing, cool taste focused on eucalyptus and contains 8 mg of nicotine.

Meanwhile, Nico Lash Glacier has a more potent peppermint flavor, with notes of menthol. This provides extra intensity, and it also contains more nicotine (12 mg per portion).

On! Nicotine Pouches

On! Nicotine pouches are another popular option. With fun flavors like Tropical Spice and Grapefruit Spritz as well as classics like Coffee and Mint, there’s something for everyone.

They’re made by major tobacco company Altria and come in various formats, including mint and slim.

VELO Nicotine Pouches

VELO might be a little-known brand in New Zealand, but it’s one of the biggest names on the market in Europe. Kiwis might just be missing a trick!

The popularity of VELO nicotine pouches is partly due to the wide range of flavors available, which include:

• Freezing Peppermint
• Purple Grape
• Bright Spearmint
• Tropical Mango

Where Can I Buy Snus in NZ?

Similarly, we sell a range of snus products on Snusdirect from popular brands like General, Göteborgs Rapé, Siberia, and Ettan.

Our selection includes:

• White portions
• Original portions
• Loose snus

As well as offering a very respectable selection, we pride ourselves on providing a convenient and effortless experience with competitive prices. We even have a rewards program that gives loyal customers free products when they build up points.

What if I Don’t Know if a Product Contains Synthetic Nicotine?

The New Zealand government has made it clear that individual consumers are responsible for verifying that a product is legal before they import it.

It says:

“If in doubt about the content of the product, including whether the nicotine content is derived from tobacco or is synthetic, the safest option is to not import, buy or use the product.”

We recommend sticking to the brands we’ve mentioned, but you can also contact us through the chatbot on our site. Our customer service team will respond promptly so you can buy in confidence!