More than 6.5 million nicotine pouches have been seized by the Australian Border Force (ABF) between 01 January and 30 August this year. This smokeless product, along with a similar pouch called Snus or Sys, has become the new Vape for young people.
The spike coincides with the federal government’s ban on single-use vapes, which are now illegal, even with a prescription. We have reported on the rapid increase of smuggled imports of both tobacco and vapes this year. Organised crime syndicates and other illegal importers are fuelling the massive increase in the seizure of all these contraband items at the border.
Just as with vapes, it is also unlawful to import or sell nicotine pouches in Australia, although we understand these may be allowed with a prescription from a medical practitioner, for the purpose of quitting smoking or vaping. They are essentially small packets or sachets, around the size of a piece of chewing gum, which are designed to be placed between one’s upper lip and gum, to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
There are no nicotine pouches that have been evaluated or approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for quality, safety, or efficacy in Australia, meaning that there are none on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
Snus is an alternative way of smoking or vaping tobacco and is consumed orally, just like nicotine pouches, using a loose form or in portioned sachets and is steam pasteurized. They can also come in flavoured pouches, making them more appealing to your people.
Nicotine pouches typically contain 3mg to 6mg of nicotine, and sometimes other ingredients such as sweeteners and flavours. Similar to vapes, a range of pouch flavours have been developed including those which mimic fruits and confectionary. They do not contain tobacco leaf, dust, or stem, but are rather described as containing ‘synthetic nicotine.’ Popular brands include ‘Zyn’, ‘On!’, and ‘Velo’, which are produced in Sweden. China is another major country of origin.
The Difference Between Snus and Nicotine Pouches
Both nicotine pouches and snus come in small sachets, which look like each other. Snus is a powdered tobacco produced package in a pouch, usually containing ground tobacco leaves, water, and sodium carbonate. In comparison, nicotine pouch is free of smoke, vapour, and tobacco. Nicotine pouches contain nicotine extract and fillers, and release nicotine for up to an hour whilst sitting between the gum and lips.
Consignments enter the country concealed among mixed declared goods, including clothing items, cleaning machinery, cookware, and furniture.
The official advice from the ABF is that most tobacco products are ‘prohibited imports’ in Australia. This includes cigarettes, molasses tobacco, heat-not-burn products and loose-leaf tobacco. Oral tobacco has been banned from sale in Australia since June 1991. Import permits are issued subject to conditions. One condition is that tobacco products (other than cigars, chewing tobacco and snuff intended for oral use up to 1.5kg) cannot be imported through the mail.
Also see this recent related article: Vapes Hidden in Containers of Commercial Goods
For information about all your imports, including correct Customs procedures, contact us here at Colless Young. As licensed Customs Brokers and International Freight Forwarders, we handle your cargo economically and professionally. Based in Brisbane, Colless Young provides a complete range of logistics services, including exports, both by sea and airfreight, at all major Australian ports and airports.
