Vape imports from China into the US have plummeted, with shipments nearly grinding to a halt in May, according to FDA data.
The drop is largely driven by steep tariffs imposed under former President Donald Trump, which soared as high as 145% in April and now sit at 30%, as well as aggressive enforcement against unauthorised e-cigarettes like Geek Bar, which remains unlicensed by the FDA.
Retailers report that supply has dried up. One source said a distributor that usually receives 100 boxes of Geek Bar vapes weekly is now down to just ten, while others are imposing unprecedented purchase limits and citing “tariff-related price increases and limited market availability.”
Notices from wholesalers reviewed by Reuters confirm that Geek Bar shipments are being slashed due to rising costs and shrinking supply chains.
FDA records show just 71 vape-related shipments from China between May 1–28, down from nearly 1,200 during the same period last year.
These figures follow months of declining imports and coincide with major seizures of unauthorised vape shipments in cities like Chicago. The agency has vowed to intensify enforcement under new commissioner Marty Makary.
Despite the crackdown, demand remains strong. “If the price goes up, the price goes up. We’re talking about nicotine here,” one US distributor told Reuters.
Even with a $5 increase, Geek Bar’s typical $20 price point remains palatable for addicted users.
British American Tobacco, which sells authorised vape brands, said it expects prices to rise but not to levels that deter usage.
Many Chinese-made vapes are smuggled into the US using deceptive shipping labels or via third countries like Indonesia and Mexico to avoid detection.
According to market research firm Circana, Geek Bar was the top unauthorised vape brand in 2024, commanding about 25% of tracked sales despite lacking regulatory approval.
Meanwhile, legal tobacco giants like BAT and Altria have pushed for more border enforcement as unregulated vapes continue to eat into their market share.
BAT estimates unauthorised vapes made up 70% of US e-cigarette sales last year.
Faced with supply shocks, higher tariffs, and increased seizure risks, some illicit producers are now shifting production to countries like Indonesia.
Still, industry insiders say the sector is highly agile: “Whatever happens in the US, the industry will survive.”
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
