China E-Cig Trade in November: Transactions with 125 Countries, Top 20 Constitute 86.74%

Editor's note: 2FIRSTS analyzed the November 2023 customs data report from China, using "key figures" to examine monthly changes and present a series of noteworthy trends in e-cigarette exports.

Trade Partners: 125

In November, China's e-cigarette trade involved a total of 125 destination countries and regions, which is an increase of three trading partners compared to the previous month's 122.

Compared to the past three months, November saw the addition of seven new trading partners: Uganda, Malawi, the Federated States of Micronesia, Algeria, Syria, Qatar, and French Saint Martin. However, one trading partner, French Polynesia, was removed during this period.

Export Prices: Expected to Stabilize

In November, the average export price of e-cigarettes in China was $41.99 per kilogram, showing a slight increase of 0.17% compared to the previous month but a decrease of 24.63% compared to the same period last year. This marks the first price increase in export since March this year.

Turkey has emerged as the most expensive destination with a price of $201.96 per kilogram, while Qatar stands as the country with the lowest price at $3.60 per kilogram.

The average export price of e-liquid products was $36.32 per kilogram, which decreased by 1.22% compared to the previous month. Bangladesh had the highest price, at $115.26 per kilogram, while Qatar had the lowest price at $3.60 per kilogram.

The average export price of non-e-liquid products is $90.19 per kilogram, which decreased by 1.14% compared to the previous month. The price per unit is $4.86, experiencing a 0.79% increase from the previous month. Turkey has the highest price at $53.67 per unit, while Cambodia has the lowest price at $0.62 per unit.

Export Market Concentration

In November, the top 10 countries in terms of export amount accounted for 74.09% of the total exports, while the top 20 countries accounted for 86.74%.

Among them, the United States and the United Kingdom are the most stable, with the United States consistently maintaining the top position with a share of around 30% over the long term. The United Kingdom has consistently held the second position with a share of around 10%.

Meanwhile, markets in countries or regions currently experiencing regulatory policy changes (or a higher degree of gray trade) are displaying larger volatility, such as Russia and Australia.

In October, the top 10 countries in terms of export amount accounted for 76.08% of the total export, while the top 20 countries accounted for 88.31%.

The export of e-cigarettes is showing a scattered trend.

Top 20 Countries' Monthly Changes

In November, Australia recorded the highest growth rate at 305.82%, followed closely by Russia and Croatia with growth rates of 138.90% and 80.82% respectively.

The United Kingdom experienced the largest decline in export volume, with a decrease of 25.155 million US dollars compared to the previous month, representing a drop of 20.89%. Following closely behind are Japan and Belgium, with decreases of 30.55% and 24.19% respectively.

Among the top 20 countries, Japan has the highest average price at $145.75 per kilogram, while South Korea has the lowest at $20.37 per kilogram.

Data indicates:

HS code 240412 refers to non-combustible products that do not contain tobacco or reconstituted tobacco, but do contain nicotine for non-smoking consumption.

The HS code 854340 refers to e-cigarettes and similar personal electronic vaporization devices.

The classification "240412" represents products that fall under the category of "e-liquid" while the classification "854340" represents products that do not contain e-liquid. The aforementioned classifications are used to refer to the categories mentioned earlier.

The average export price is calculated by dividing the total export value of China to country X by the total export volume of China to country X, measured in kilograms.

Export Unit Price refers to the average price per unit of goods exported by China to X country, excluding e-liquid products. It is calculated by dividing the export value of goods excluding e-liquid products from China to X country by the total export volume of goods excluding e-liquid products from China to X country, measured in units.