Import and Trade Surplus Expansion in China's E-Cigarette Industry

Jul.04.2022
Import and Trade Surplus Expansion in China's E-Cigarette Industry
China's electronic cigarette industry has a thriving import-export market with a strong supply chain and growing trade surplus.

The central focus of this article is the amount of imported electronic cigarettes in the Chinese industry and the price levels of these imported products.

 

The trade surplus continues to widen.

 

After years of rapid development, the e-cigarette industry in China has created a comprehensive supply chain centered around Guangdong province. With the increasingly global popularity of vaping, China's e-cigarette exports have surged, resulting in a growing trade surplus. In 2021, China's e-cigarette industry recorded a trade surplus of $15.692 billion.

 

From January to April 2022, China's electronic cigarette trade surplus was $4.374 billion.

 

Imports surpass $5.7 billion in 2021.

 

The domestic electronic cigarette industry in China has a highly integrated supply chain, resulting in a surplus of electronic cigarette production compared to market demand. Therefore, overall, the level of import trade in the electronic cigarette industry in China is not high. In 2021, the total import value of the electronic cigarette industry in China was 5.702 billion yuan, an increase of 8.96% compared to 2020.

 

In the first four months of 2022, China's electronic cigarette industry has imported products worth a total of $1.794 billion.

 

The import price of atomization equipment is the highest.

 

Electronic cigarettes account for 73% of imports.

 

Japan is the largest source of imported electronic cigarettes in our country.

 

Looking at the import sources of the electronic cigarette industry in China, Japan is the largest importer of electronic cigarettes to China. In 2021, China imported electronic cigarette-related products from Japan worth over 6.256 billion yuan. Additionally, China imported electronic cigarette-related products from the United States, Taiwan, and Germany, each exceeding 3.5 billion yuan.

 

This article contains excerpts or reprints from third-party sources, which are copyrighted to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us to delete it. Any unit or individual who needs to reprint should contact the author, and should not reprint directly.

 

This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Italian anti-trust agency investigates PMI's marketing of smoke-free products, company denies wrongdoing
Italian anti-trust agency investigates PMI's marketing of smoke-free products, company denies wrongdoing
Italian anti-trust agency investigates Philip Morris International's promotion of smoke-free products, questioning potentially misleading language.
Oct.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Observation|PMI Launches IQOS ILUMA i × SELETTI Limited Edition at Dubai Airport
2Firsts Observation|PMI Launches IQOS ILUMA i × SELETTI Limited Edition at Dubai Airport
2Firsts observed that Philip Morris International (PMI) has set up a large-scale IQOS display at Dubai International Airport’s duty-free area, featuring the TEREA tobacco stick series with promotional offers. The brand also showcased its limited-edition collaboration with Italian design house SELETTI — IQOS ILUMA i × SELETTI — further strengthening its premium image through artistic design.
Nov.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Latvia’s Constitutional Court Upholds Vape Flavor Ban as Constitutional
Latvia’s Constitutional Court Upholds Vape Flavor Ban as Constitutional
The Constitutional Court of Latvia upheld the 2025 vape-flavor ban as constitutional, rejecting appeals by Pro Vape and SIA MASS Industry. Judges said the restrictions serve a legitimate public-health purpose by protecting youth from nicotine addiction and that the social benefits outweigh business losses.
Oct.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK Experts Raise Concerns Over High-Dose Nicotine Pouches Amid Rising Sales
UK Experts Raise Concerns Over High-Dose Nicotine Pouches Amid Rising Sales
According to The Guardian, health experts in the UK are warning about the potential health effects of high-dose nicotine pouches as their sales continue to rise. Recent studies show teenagers reporting nicotine rushes, sickness and fainting, while researchers say packaging and marketing increasingly appeal to younger age groups. Although viewed as less harmful than cigarettes, experts remain concerned about their use among non-smokers, especially adolescents.
Nov.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2FIRSTS Data Insight|China’s Vape Exports to the U.S. Hit a Record $590 Million: A Peak Driven by Enforcement Cycles, Not Real Demand
2FIRSTS Data Insight|China’s Vape Exports to the U.S. Hit a Record $590 Million: A Peak Driven by Enforcement Cycles, Not Real Demand
China’s vape exports to the U.S. surged to a record $590 million in October 2025—nearly double the usual monthly level and pushing the U.S. share above 50% of China’s global shipments.But the spike was not driven by demand. Instead, it reflected a temporary release created by tightened U.S. enforcement, a collapsed logistics pathway, and a bullwhip-style surge in replenishment.The peak signals more volatility ahead, not recovery.
Special Report
Nov.24
British Museum Ends Long-Running Sponsorship with Japan Tobacco International
British Museum Ends Long-Running Sponsorship with Japan Tobacco International
According to The Guardian, the British Museum has ended its 15-year sponsorship with Japan Tobacco International after government inquiries into whether the deal breached WHO tobacco-control rules. Critics had long opposed the partnership, while the museum said sponsorship remains essential for its financial stability and public access.
Nov.20