Why you can vape in Bali — unlike the neighbours in the region
Indonesia regulates e-cigarettes by Government Regulation No. 109/2012, which equates vapes with ordinary tobacco products rather than banning them — unlike Thailand, where bringing in a vape can formally end in arrest, or Vietnam and Cambodia, where the devices are completely banned. Adults (18 and over) can officially bring a vape and liquids into Bali duty-free — up to two devices and 40 ml of liquid in total (counting all bottles together, regardless of nicotine content), plus a reasonable quantity of replacement coils for personal use. Exceeding these volumes requires declaration — an undeclared excess risks being confiscated without compensation.
Where you cannot vape — and it’s not about prison
Vapes are banned in the same places as ordinary cigarettes: Hindu temples (pura), hospitals and medical institutions, schools, government buildings, public transport (buses, bemo, taxis) and enclosed venues with a no-smoking policy. On open beaches vaping is usually permitted and viewed calmly, although formal smoke-free zones are gradually expanding, in particular in Badung regency. The maximum fine for a violation under Bali’s regional regulation is 50,000 rupiah (about 3 dollars), and in practice this norm is almost never applied to tourists — they are usually simply asked to stop rather than formally fined.
The real danger: liquid labelled CBD
This is where Indonesian law becomes really severe: CBD in the country is classified as a Category I narcotic (Golongan I) — the same category as heroin and cannabis. This means that vape liquid sold as “CBD vape juice” is formally classified not as a vaping accessory but as an attempt to import a narcotic — with all the consequences, up to a multi-year prison sentence and a fine counted in hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is not a theoretical risk: there have been real cases of foreigners detained in Indonesia precisely over liquids containing cannabis, including the detention of an Australian tourist in Lombok in 2026.
An additional risk is buying liquid from a random local seller rather than in a trusted shop. There have been recorded cases in which criminal groups mixed powerful psychoactive substances into vape liquids that the buyer did not even suspect when buying an ordinary-looking bottle. This is not only a legal risk but a direct health risk.
How to stay out of trouble
- Don’t bring or buy in Bali liquid labelled “CBD” or connected with cannabis — formally this is equated with importing a Category I narcotic, regardless of how legally the product is sold in your country.
- Bring a sufficient supply of proven, factory-made, sealed liquid from your own country for the whole trip, rather than counting on buying more on the spot from a random seller.
- Don’t exceed the duty-free limit — 2 devices and 40 ml of liquid in total — or declare the excess at customs.
- Don’t use a vape in temples, hospitals, schools, government offices and public transport — the fine is symbolic, but why risk it.
Frequently asked questions
Are vapes banned in Bali?
No, unlike Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, vaping in Bali is legal for adults — there are limits on duty-free import and a ban in certain public places.
How much liquid and how many devices can I bring duty-free?
Up to two devices and 40 ml of liquid in total — regardless of the nicotine content of individual bottles.
Why is CBD liquid so dangerous to bring in?
In Indonesia CBD is officially classed as a Category I narcotic — the same as heroin and cannabis. Importing such liquid is formally qualified as an attempt to smuggle a narcotic, with all the resulting criminal consequences.
What fine is there for vaping in a prohibited zone in Bali?
A maximum of 50,000 rupiah (about 3 dollars) under the regional regulation, and in practice this norm is almost never applied to tourists.
What next
See the general guide to safety in Bali and sort out the visa rules before your trip.
The classification of substances and import rules may be clarified — before your trip, check the official information on the Indonesian embassy’s website.
