China’s exports of e-cigarettes and related products continue to grow. In August, exports totalled nearly one billion dollars, equivalent to just over nine billion kronor. The UK accounted for the largest increase, whilst exports to the US fell sharply.
China exported e-cigarettes and related products worth $979 million in August. This represents an increase of 3.3 per cent compared with the same month last year, according to Chinese customs statistics compiled by the trade publication 2Firsts.
In the first eight months of the year, the value of exports totalled 6.99 billion dollars, approximately 65 billion kronor, which was 5.5 per cent higher than in the corresponding period of 2025.
At the same time, the figures provide an insight into the scale of the Chinese industry behind the global e-cigarette market.
The UK is growing the fastest
The most noticeable change in August was in trade with the UK.
Exports to that country rose by 51.4 per cent compared with the previous year, totalling 177 million dollars. This was the highest monthly figure so far in 2026.
For products containing nicotine, the increase was even greater, at 63.3 per cent.
In recent years, the UK has introduced several new regulations governing e-cigarettes. From June 2025, single-use models will be banned, which has, amongst other things, led to a shift towards reusable and refillable products.
However, customs statistics do not reveal the reasons behind the increase. Changes to products, stockpiling and changes in supply chains may affect the figures.
Exports to the US are falling
The trend in the US is moving in the opposite direction.
Chinese exports to the US fell by 12.4 per cent compared with August last year, totalling $339 million.
The US remains by far the largest single destination for Chinese e-cigarette products, accounting for 34.6 per cent of the value of exports during the month. Meanwhile, exports to the rest of the world rose by 14.2 per cent.
Even excluding both the US and the UK, Chinese exports rose by 4.4 per cent.
Markets that saw growth included South Korea, Croatia, Indonesia, Slovakia, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.
A market outside the tobacco companies
A large proportion of global e-cigarette manufacturing and sales takes place in China and consists of products and brands outside the portfolios of traditional international tobacco companies. Export values of nearly one billion dollars a month give an indication of the scale of the Chinese industry.
This dominance is particularly evident in the US, where access to the legal market is governed by the FDA’s licensing system. A decline in exports may therefore be linked to a system that has favoured domestic companies, particularly the larger tobacco firms.
In September 2026, there were 48 e-cigarette products on the FDA’s list of products authorised for legal sale in the country. Manufacturers on the list include R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company with Vuse (British American Tobacco) and NJOY, which is owned by Altria. Juul and a small number of products from other manufacturers are also on the list.
At the same time, the FDA has stepped up its efforts to tackle products that lack marketing authorisation and is working with, amongst others, customs authorities and the Department of Justice to stop unauthorised products at the border.
Nicotine products are driving exports
It is primarily finished nicotine products that are driving growth from China.
The export value of these goods totalled $666 million in August, an increase of 4.9 per cent compared with the previous year. At the same time, exports of hardware and devices fell by 0.7 per cent.
The trade journal 2Firsts points out that customs statistics should be interpreted with some caution. They show where products are exported from China, but not necessarily where they are ultimately sold. Products sent to an EU country, for example, may subsequently be redistributed within the Union.
However, the figures show that the Chinese e-cigarette industry continues to grow internationally – whilst exports are performing very differently across various regulated markets.
