Prohibited items
E-cigarettes and vapes — Air Travel Rules in India
Last updated: 6 Jul 2026Reviewed by Ms. Rubab Nizami, Lead AVSEC Faculty
In short
E-cigarettes contain lithium batteries, so where permitted they must be carried in the cabin and never in checked baggage, and using or charging them on board is prohibited. In India, however, e-cigarettes and vapes are banned outright under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 — import, transport, sale and storage are illegal, so bringing them into or within India is an offence regardless of the general cabin-carriage rule.
- Cabin baggage
- Cabin only; use prohibited on board
- Checked baggage
- Not allowed in checked baggage
What counts as e-cigarettes and vapes?
Common examples of e-cigarettes and vapes include Vapes, E-cigarettes, Vape batteries, E-liquid (≤100ml in cabin). All of them are treated the same way at Indian airport security, so the rule below applies to every item in this group.
Can e-cigarettes and vapes go in checked baggage?
In checked baggage: not allowed in checked baggage. E-cigarettes contain lithium batteries, so where permitted they must be carried in the cabin and never in checked baggage, and using or charging them on board is prohibited. In India, however, e-cigarettes and vapes are banned outright under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 — import, transport, sale and storage are illegal, so bringing them into or within India is an offence regardless of the general cabin-carriage rule. If in doubt, pack the item in checked baggage or leave it at home rather than risk it being confiscated at the checkpoint.