Ordering nicotine snus in EU has raised a lot of discussion and questions since nicotine pouches have become common and their popularity as a replacement therapy product has grown. Still, in many contexts, nicotine pouches are compared to snuff, which is prohibited to order in Finland. However, nicotine pouches and snuff are two completely different things and are governed by completely different laws.
This article unequivocally provides up-to-date information that ordering nicotine pouches in Finland is completely legal, as long as the nicotine pouches are ordered from a reliable and responsible online retailer.
This is the most important thing in terms of both importing and online ordering, which unfortunately goes unmentioned in many contexts. Even the Finnish customs has reminded about this with several announcements due to the strong increase in ordering nicotine bags and passenger imports.
Until April 4, 2023, nicotine pouches were covered by the Medicines Act and were subject to completely different import and distance sales restrictions than snuff , which is covered by the Tobacco Act.
Nicotine sachets contain nicotine, but not tobacco, so the import and sale of nicotine products was regulated in the Medicines Act, and customs has been responsible for import control.
According to a new evaluation by the Finnish Medicines Safety and Development Center Fimea, nicotine pouches are no longer classified as medicine. Due to this change, Customs will stop supervising their importation, and nicotine pouches will no longer be subject to restrictions on the importation of pharmaceuticals. As a result, the previous order limit of a maximum of three months' use is removed, and nicotine pouches can be ordered completely freely, as many as you want at a time.
According to the new classification that entered into force on April 4, 2023, strong nicotine sachets are also no longer classified as medicines. Therefore, ordering strong nicotine pouches to Finland is also completely allowed. The former restrictions were based specifically on the fact that strong nicotine pouches were defined as medicines, so they were subject to the restrictions on the import of medicinal substances. After the new interpretation of Fimea, these restrictions have been removed and you can order nicotine pouches in the strength and quantity you want, completely legally and safely.
Until April 4, 2023, nicotine pouches were defined as either a self-care product (nicotine with a maximum of 4 mg per sachet) or prescription medicine (nicotine with more than 4 mg per sachet).
Nicotine sachets, which contain more than 4 milligrams of nicotine per sachet, may not be ordered or imported as passenger imports, unless you can present a prescription or other valid import permit.
Nicotine sachets, the nicotine content of which does not exceed the limit of 4 milligrams, may be brought as passenger imports, and may be freely ordered in the EEA area from an online store located outside of Finland.