Rising Trend: China’s Nicotine Pouch Exports Surge 500% in December 2024, Primarily Driven by the U.S. Market

Feb.17.2025
Rising Trend: China’s Nicotine Pouch Exports Surge 500% in December 2024, Primarily Driven by the U.S. Market
In 2024, China’s total export value for nicotine pouch products reached $589,942, signaling the beginning of a new market segment for the country. The export value saw significant fluctuations throughout the year, with the most notable surge occurring in December, when exports skyrocketed to $389,136—an over 500% increase from previous months.

April 2024 Marks First Major Export Milestone for China’s Nicotine Pouch Products

 

In 2024, China’s total export value for nicotine pouch products reached $589,942, signaling the beginning of a new market segment for the country. The export value saw significant fluctuations throughout the year, with the most notable surge occurring in December, when exports skyrocketed to $389,136—an over 500% increase from previous months.

 

Rising Trend: China’s Nicotine Pouch Exports Surge 500% in December 2024, Primarily Driven by the U.S. Market
Monthly Trends of Nicotine Pouch Exports by Chinese Customs in 2024 | Visualization: 2Firsts

 

 

Steady Growth from June to October: 66,838 USD in July Leads the Charge

 

From June to October, the export value steadily increased, with July and August seeing the highest levels at $66,838 and $50,124, respectively. This growth period reflects the increasing demand and acceptance of nicotine pouches in international markets, marking a transition from a slow start in the earlier months of 2024.

 

 

U.S. Dominates: 97% of Exports Go to the U.S. Market

 

The U.S. stands out as the primary destination for China’s nicotine pouch exports, absorbing 96.99% of the total export volume. This dominance highlights the central role the U.S. market plays in the growth of this new product category. Other countries, including South Korea (0.63%), South Africa (1.12%), and the U.K. (1.26%), make up a much smaller portion of the exports.

 

Rising Trend: China’s Nicotine Pouch Exports Surge 500% in December 2024, Primarily Driven by the U.S. Market
2024 China Customs Export Distribution of Nicotine Pouches by Destination Country  | Visualization: 2Firsts

 

Shandong Leads the Way: 58.34% of Exports Originating from the Region

 

The data reveals that Shandong Province leads in terms of production and export volume, contributing 58.34% of the total exports. Chongqing City follows closely with 28.80%, while Guangdong Province accounts for just 12.86%. These figures underscore the regional distribution of production capabilities and export activity in China.

 

Rising Trend: China’s Nicotine Pouch Exports Surge 500% in December 2024, Primarily Driven by the U.S. Market
2024 China Customs Export Distribution of Nicotine Pouches by Export Registration Location  | Visualization: 2Firsts

 

Rising Trend: China’s Nicotine Pouch Exports Surge 500% in December 2024, Primarily Driven by the U.S. Market
Sankey Diagram of Export Registration Location vs. Trade Destination Countries Visualization: 2Firsts

 

2025 Outlook: Stronger Demand Expected Following December’s 500% Surge

 

The sharp rise in exports in December could indicate a growing demand for nicotine pouches in 2025. The industry’s potential lies not only in the U.S. market but also in expanding into other regions, as global acceptance of tobacco harm reduction products increases. However, the reliance on the U.S. market presents a risk, as regulatory changes or shifts in consumer behavior could impact future growth.

 

Exclusive: China Tobacco Launches Locally Made MODEN FREE Nicotine Pouches in Indonesia
Exclusive: China Tobacco Launches Locally Made MODEN FREE Nicotine Pouches in Indonesia
2Firsts exclusively reports that China Tobacco Zhejiang Industrial has launched MODEN FREE nicotine pouches in Indonesia. The locally manufactured product is sold through Sixhill, a next-generation tobacco channel under CFU Group, at about $1.80 per 18-pouch can. The launch moves China Tobacco’s nicotine pouch activity beyond trade-show displays and testing into local production and public retail.
Jul.16
BAT UK Director Tolga Kilic Says Illicit Nicotine Market Squeezes Legal Retailers Amid Rising Compliance Costs
BAT UK Director Tolga Kilic Says Illicit Nicotine Market Squeezes Legal Retailers Amid Rising Compliance Costs
UK retail publication Grocery Trader has published a viewpoint article from Tolga Kilic, Commercial Director for BAT UK & Ireland, discussing the impact of illicit nicotine products on legitimate retail channels. Kilic said illegal vapes and other illicit nicotine products create competitive pressure for compliant retailers and called for stronger market controls and supply-chain oversight. The comments come as the UK advances policies including the disposable vape ban and Vaping Products Duty, creating a more complex operating environment for legal vape retailers.
Jul.28
2Firsts Hosts U.S. Market Mid-Year Briefing: Companies Need to Reassess Product and Market-Access Strategies
2Firsts Hosts U.S. Market Mid-Year Briefing: Companies Need to Reassess Product and Market-Access Strategies
2Firsts held its 2026 U.S. Market Compliance and Development Mid-Year Briefing in Shenzhen, China, on July 28. The discussion examined how state-level requirements, proposed foreign-establishment registration rules and expanding supply-chain responsibilities are changing product and investment decisions in the U.S. tobacco and nicotine market.
Jul.29
From Heating Blades to Heating Paper? CTHB Patent Points to Microwave Heated Tobacco Design
From Heating Blades to Heating Paper? CTHB Patent Points to Microwave Heated Tobacco Design
According to China’s patent office records, a patent owned by China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Corporation (CTHB) for “cigarette paper and a cigarette for microwave heating” was granted on May 19, 2026. The patent describes cigarette paper with an outer wrapping layer, a heating layer, and an isolation heat-conducting layer, allowing it to absorb microwave energy, convert it to heat, and transfer that heat to the aerosol-generating substrate.
Jun.10
French Anti-Tobacco Group Questions PMI’s IQOS “Curiosity” Campaign Over Potential Youth Appeal
French Anti-Tobacco Group Questions PMI’s IQOS “Curiosity” Campaign Over Potential Youth Appeal
According to French anti-tobacco group Générations Sans Tabac, Philip Morris International’s (PMI) IQOS “Curiosity” campaign has drawn attention from public health advocates. The group argues that the campaign uses themes including curiosity, exploration and lifestyle branding that could increase interest among younger audiences. PMI has positioned IQOS as a key part of its smoke-free product strategy, while France maintains strict restrictions on tobacco and nicotine product marketing. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between heated tobacco branding strategies and public health concerns in Europe.
Jul.24
WIRED Investigation: Chinese-Made Vapes Turn to 6-Methyl-Nicotine and Other Analogs, Challenging U.S. Regulation
WIRED Investigation: Chinese-Made Vapes Turn to 6-Methyl-Nicotine and Other Analogs, Challenging U.S. Regulation
U.S. technology and investigative publication WIRED has examined how nicotine analogs are emerging as a new challenge for the country’s vape regulatory framework. The article argues that after the U.S. expanded federal oversight of nicotine products in 2022, some manufacturers began using nicotine-like compounds such as 6-methyl-nicotine that may fall outside existing definitions. Researchers cited by WIRED said some nicotine analogs could be more potent than traditional nicotine, although human health impacts remain unclear. U.S. policymakers are considering broader definitions of nicotine to bring these compounds under federal oversight.
Jul.27