Updates
April 15 update: Add 20% to that total tariffs figure; now 170%
Today, the Trump administration set the baseline tariffs for Chinese imports at 145 percent. With the still-active 25 percent tariff (in place since 2018), this brings the total tariffs on Chinese vaping products to 170 percent
April 9 - second update: Trump adds to the tariffs on Chinese products
This morning, soon after the update below was published, President Trump announced on social media that he is modifying the tariffs on Chinese imports by increasing the new 84 percent tariff to 105 percent, making the 2025 tariff total 125 percent.
That brings the total tariffs imposed on Chinese vaping products to 150 percent.
The announcement also included a 90-day pause on tariffs over 10 percent to most other countries.
April 9 update: Vape product tariffs now 129 percent
The 34 percent tariff discussed below took effect today, but was increased at the last minute to 84 percent as President Trump sought to punish China for its imposition of a retaliatory 34 percent tariff on U.S. goods.
The ultimate tariff rate on all vaping products produced in China will now be 129 percent.
The 129 percent figure is the total of the 84 percent tariff taking effect today, two rounds of 10 percent tariffs imposed earlier this year, and an existing 25 percent tariff from 2018 that was extended by the Biden administration.
Following the Trump administration’s tariff announcement yesterday, China increased its levy to 84 percent on all American imports. The Chinese-imposed tariffs will hit the U.S. agricultural sector especially hard. Many experts believe the result of the U.S. tariffs (and now the retaliatory ones from China) could be a U.S. or even worldwide recession.
April 4, 2025
Vaping products imported from China will soon be subject to a 79 percent tariff rate after the Trump administration announced Wednesday it would add a nearly across-the-board 34 percent tariff on Chinese imports. The tariffs take effect April 9.
Vapes were already tagged with a 45 percent tariff—a combination of an existing 25 percent Trump tariff in place since 2018 that was extended under President Biden, and two rounds of new 10 percent tariffs imposed earlier this year. The new tariff will be added to the existing ones.
Nearly all mass-market vaping products are made in China, although some manufacturers have expanded to other Asian countries. There is no significant vape device production in the United States.
Tariffs are taxes added to imported products. They are intended to give an economic advantage to American companies making similar products by increasing the consumer cost of the foreign competition. But since there are no U.S. vape device manufacturers, the tariffs will simply punish American importers, wholesalers, retailers, and ultimately consumers.
Retail prices may not reflect the entire tariff
The tariffs apply to all Chinese-made vape devices, including mods, atomizers, batteries, and pod-based and disposable vapes. The tariffs fall under Section 301 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States—items HTS 8543.70.9930 and HTS 8543.70.9940.
How much of the 79 percent tariff will be passed on to consumers is impossible to determine. Costs can be partly absorbed by sellers or buyers at any step in the supply chain. The greater the profit margin on any particular product, the more likely part of the tariff cost will be eaten by manufacturers or wholesalers. Parts suppliers in China could also temporarily lower prices to manufacturers to help them stay afloat during a challenging economic period.
But with total tariffs adding up to 79 percent of the wholesale cost, it’s certain that some part of that expense will hit consumers in the wallet.
China retaliates immediately
The Chinese tariffs are part of President Donald Trump’s new plan to impose tariffs on imports from almost every country in the world. The Wednesday announcement shook stock markets across the globe. American markets saw their biggest declines since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
China retaliated immediately, announcing reciprocal 34 percent tariffs on all U.S. products exported to China, which will hit American farmers especially hard. Following the 2018 tariffs, the Trump administration spent over $20 billion to bail out farmers affected by Trump’s trade policies. However, many family farms were forced into bankruptcy.
Jim McDonald
Vaping for: 13 years
Favorite products:
Favorite flavors: RY4-style tobaccos, fruits
Expertise in: Political and legal challenges, tobacco control haters, moral panics
Jim McDonald
Smokers created vaping without help from the tobacco industry or anti-smoking crusaders, and I believe vapers have the right to continue innovating to help themselves. My goal is to provide clear, honest information about the challenges vaping faces from lawmakers, regulators, and brokers of disinformation. I’m a member of the CASAA board, but my opinions aren’t necessarily CASAA’s, and vice versa. You can find me on Twitter @whycherrywhy
