Key Points
- South Korea's amended Tobacco Business Act took effect on April 24, 2026, expanding the definition of tobacco to products made wholly or partly from tobacco or nicotine.
- Customs data show 12,126 kg of nicotine analogues worth $463,422 were imported from April through August, with 10,222 kg recorded in April.
- Synthetic-nicotine imports fell from 589,165 kg in March alone to 231,663 kg in total from April through August.
- Physical liquid-vape stores in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province fell from 2,643 in March to 2,381 in August, while unmanned outlets increased from 309 to 314.
- Tests of 105 liquid inhalation products promoted as nicotine-free detected nicotine in 13 and 6-methylnicotine in 12.
2Firsts
September 22, 2026
South Korea's liquid-vape market is showing changes in raw-material imports, product categories and retail channels nearly five months after synthetic nicotine was brought under the country's tobacco regulatory framework.
Customs data show nicotine-analogue imports totaled 12,126 kilograms from April through August, while synthetic-nicotine imports fell sharply from their March peak. Separate monitoring of Seoul and Gyeonggi Province found fewer conventional liquid-vape stores, a slight increase in unmanned outlets and more online sales listings.
The amended Tobacco Business Act took effect on April 24, expanding the statutory definition of tobacco from products based on tobacco leaf to those made wholly or partly from tobacco or nicotine. Synthetic-nicotine vaping products that had previously fallen outside the definition because their nicotine was not tobacco-derived thereby entered tobacco-related tax, retail and advertising rules.
Nicotine-Analogue Imports Reach 12,126 Kilograms From April to August
According to a September 18 Pressian report, Korea Customs Service data provided to Democratic Party lawmaker Moon Jin-seok show that South Korea imported 12,126 kilograms of nicotine analogues worth $463,422 from April through August.
The Korea Customs Service began separately classifying nicotine-free and nicotine-analogue e-cigarette solutions under standardized product codes in October 2025.
Nicotine-analogue imports stood at 364 kilograms in October 2025. In April 2026, the recorded monthly volume rose to 10,222 kilograms.
Pressian reported that imports from April through August represented 73.2% of all nicotine-analogue imports recorded since the customs category was introduced and 82.3% by value.
Nicotine analogues are compounds that are structurally or pharmacologically similar to nicotine but chemically distinct from nicotine itself. One analogue now receiving particular attention from South Korean authorities is 6-methylnicotine (6-MN).
Synthetic-nicotine imports moved in the opposite direction.
Customs data show South Korea imported 1,280,522 kilograms of synthetic nicotine worth approximately $79.97 million from January through March 2026.
March alone accounted for 589,165 kilograms, the highest monthly level on record.
Imports fell to 186,584 kilograms in April, then to 2,423 kilograms in May and 8,919 kilograms in June.
Synthetic-nicotine imports totaled 231,663 kilograms from April through August, equivalent to 39.3% of the amount imported in March alone.
Moon said importers were turning toward nicotine analogues that do not face the same tax treatment after synthetic nicotine became classified as tobacco. He also said analogue imports could increase further as synthetic-nicotine inventories imported before implementation are depleted.
Pre-Amendment Inventory Remains Under Transitional Rules
South Korea introduced separate rules for liquid-vape inventory that had already been manufactured, released or declared for import before the April 24 change.
On April 28, the government issued safety-management standards covering liquid e-cigarette products manufactured, released or declared for import before April 24 but sold after the amended Tobacco Business Act took effect.
Businesses continuing to sell those products must clearly notify consumers that they are selling inventory manufactured or imported before the new law took effect.
They must also provide nicotine-content information on product packaging. Stickers may be used where packaging had already been printed without that information.
Before sale, operators are required to submit inventory products to designated testing institutions for analysis of nicotine content and other relevant constituents.
The government may recommend suspension of sales for inventory products that remain in distribution for more than 12 months after April 24.
The transitional rules allowed qualifying pre-amendment products to remain on the market after the new tobacco definition took effect.
Physical Vape Stores Fall 9.9%, Unmanned Outlets Rise to 314
Retail channels are also changing.
Dong-A Ilbo, citing News1 and research by the Korea Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, reported on September 21 that 2,643 physical liquid-vape stores were identified in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province in March.
A follow-up survey in August found 2,381 stores, a decline of 262, or 9.9%.
Unmanned vending-machine vape stores increased from 309 to 314.
Of the 309 unmanned outlets identified in March, 136 were in Seoul's Gangnam District and 134 in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.
The center said new openings and store closures were occurring at the same time, indicating changes in operators and sales formats.
The study also examined proximity to schools.
Of 2,468 stores that could be mapped before the amendment took effect, 270, or 10.9%, were inside education environment protection zones. Four were located within absolute protection zones extending 50 meters from school entrances.
None of 15 unmanned stores that opened after implementation was found within a protection zone. Of eight unmanned stores that closed during the same period, four had been inside or adjacent to such zones.
South Korea separately proposed new rules in September to designate unmanned vape stores as premises where minors may not enter or work and to require age verification.
Online Listings Rise to 42,437 as 'Nicotine-Free' Products Draw Scrutiny
Online activity increased as the number of conventional stores declined.
The Korea Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education recorded 27,774 online sales listings in searches for liquid-vape products on April 14. By August 8, the number had risen to 42,437.
The center also said some sellers were supplementing “nicotine-free” marketing claims with product-analysis certificates after the law took effect.
Synthetic-nicotine products are now subject to the Tobacco Business Act, including rules governing tobacco-retailer status and online sales.
South Korean law prohibits businesses without tobacco-retailer designation from selling tobacco directly to consumers and prohibits tobacco retailers from selling tobacco through mail order or electronic transactions.
Products marketed as nicotine-free have consequently drawn further regulatory scrutiny.
A joint government investigation released in June tested 105 liquid inhalation products promoted primarily as nicotine-free.
Tests detected nicotine in 13 products and 6-methylnicotine in 12.
For products in which nicotine was detected, authorities referred potential Tobacco Business Act violations for investigation.
For products containing 6-methylnicotine, food and drug authorities recommended suspension of sales and asked online platforms including Naver and Coupang to block the products.
Customs authorities also required relevant import declarations to include material safety data sheets and information on whether nicotine analogues were present.
In August, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety published a method for the simultaneous analysis of nicotine and 6-methylnicotine in liquid inhalation products.
6-Methylnicotine Moves Into the Next Regulatory Debate
Synthetic nicotine and nicotine analogues occupy different positions under South Korea's current regulatory framework.
Synthetic nicotine is chemically nicotine; the distinction is its non-tobacco source. Nicotine analogues such as 6-methylnicotine are chemically distinct compounds with structural or pharmacological similarities to nicotine.
From April 24, products made wholly or partly from nicotine became tobacco under the Tobacco Business Act, narrowing the previous legal distinction between tobacco-derived and synthetic nicotine.
Nicotine analogues such as 6-methylnicotine were not automatically brought under the same tobacco framework by that change.
South Korean authorities have since moved to test products containing 6-methylnicotine, recommend sales suspensions and conduct further hazard assessment, while lawmakers and regulators consider whether product definitions need to be broadened again.
Unmanned stores and online sales are also becoming separate areas of retail regulation.
The April tobacco-definition change has therefore been followed by new regulatory attention on nicotine analogues, products promoted as nicotine-free, pre-amendment inventory and online and unmanned sales channels.
Follow 2Firsts for timely updates on global tobacco and nicotine regulations, market developments and industry trends.
Cover Image: News1 / Dong-A Ilbo
Disclaimer
This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.
Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.
The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.
This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.
Copyright Notice
This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.
No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.
For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.
AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice
Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.
Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.
