As of January 16, 2026, Mexico has officially banned vapes and electronic cigarettes under federal law.
NO MORE VAPES
- Selling, distributing, importing, exporting, or advertising vapes is ILLEGAL
- There are NO legal vape sales in Mexico anymore
DO NOT BRING VAPES INTO MEXICO
Airports, as well as land crossings, are a different situation, because they involve:
- Customs law
- Import/export rules
- Federal security authority
- Discretionary enforcement — this is especially important
At airports:
- Bringing a vape can be treated as illegal importation
- Customs agents can detain you
- People are being handcuffed (“cuffs and shackles”) while being questioned
- Devices are confiscated
- Travelers may be threatened with large fines or criminal charges
- Many are pressured to pay a “fine” on the spot to be released
The law is new, and enforcement is uneven. Customs agents have broad authority, foreigners and tourists are easy targets, and arguing legal nuance at an airport often doesn’t go well.
Even if personal possession/use is technically not criminal, the airport experience can still be costly, stressful, and scary.
MAXIMUM FINE
- Up to 2,000 UMAs
- Approximately 234,600 pesos
PRISON TIME
- Up to 8 YEARS in prison
- Applies to selling, distributing, importing, or advertising vaping products
PERSONAL USE
- Personal possession/use (not for sale or distribution) is not criminalized under the health law
- HOWEVER — bringing vapes into the country can still get you detained and/or fined at airports
BOTTOM LINE
No legal vape sales in Mexico- Do NOT bring vapes through airports
Maximum fine ≈ 234,600 pesos
Max prison sentence = 8 years
- Source: diario.mx
- The Chihuahua Post
