IQOS on a plane: hand luggage only
The IQOS is an electrical device with a lithium-ion battery, so it belongs in your pocket or hand luggage and nowhere else. It must not go into checked baggage: lithium batteries are not permitted in the hold under IATA rules, and in the worst case the suitcase will not be loaded at all.
The sticks themselves are a tobacco product and may travel either in hand luggage or in the hold. Security checks are not a problem in practice – except in countries where IQOS is banned outright.
Using it on board is prohibited, as with any e-cigarette, including in the toilet. Breaking that rule counts as ignoring crew instructions, so simply do not.
Most airports are smoke-free today too, electronic devices included. Expect a long gap between security and your destination and plan accordingly.
How many sticks can you take?
Within the EU the indicative personal-use allowance is 250 g of tobacco per person, which for TEREA is a very generous quantity. Entering the EU from third countries the duty-free allowances are far lower – details in our Refills section.
Restocking at your destination
ILUMA and TEREA are sold normally in most European countries, often more cheaply than at home. Do not count on your favourite variant being in stock, though: ranges differ considerably from country to country. If you are used to one particular blend, bring it with you.
Outside the official markets you usually will not find sticks at all, or only on the grey market – at prices and a quality nobody guarantees.
A fault while abroad
In countries with official sales the international warranty applies, and IQOS stores generally swap faulty devices on the spot. That is exactly why it pays to register the device on iqos.com beforehand – without registration everything takes much longer.
For longer trips a cheap second device such as the ILUMA i ONE is the simplest insurance. A broken IQOS is effectively unrepairable on the road.
Short pre-flight checklist
- Is IQOS legal in your destination and in any transit countries?
- Device fully charged, cable and adapter packed?
- Enough sticks for the whole trip, within the permitted allowance?
- Device in hand luggage, not in the hold.
- Device registered to your own account.