Adam Alhiraki
President Donald Trump’s recent tariff war between the United States and China has had businesses and industries that rely on importing Chinese-made products on edge.
One of the industries most likely to be affected by these tariffs is the vaping industry. While there are some products that are entirely made in the United States, like Fifty Bar’s disposables, the vast majority are made in China.
Since 2018, vaping products coming from China have been subject to a 25% tariff. However, this number has been increasing steadily since President Trump took office in January of this year and began imposing new tariffs on China.
As of April 16th, 2025, the total tariffs on vaping products coming from China are sitting at a staggering 270%.
While it remains uncertain how much of the 270% tariff will be passed on to consumers, there is no doubt that prices will increase.
A 270% tariff does not mean that the price of vapes will increase by 270%. However, since importers will have to pay more to bring these goods into the United States, retailers will need to raise prices to remain profitable.
The good news, at least in the short term, is that most large retailers will already have a considerable stock of products imported before these new tariffs, and which therefore will not be affected by price increases.
The bad news is that if this trade war with China is not resolved, these increases are coming – and soon. It could be as little as one or two months before the effects of tariffs are reflected in the price of vapes.
How much will a vape cost?
So, what do these new tariffs mean for vapers looking to buy a vape? Here’s a very simplified example:
Let’s say that before all of these recent tariff increases, your local vape store or favorite online vape shop bought a certain brand of disposable vape for $10 from their supplier in China.
With the existing 25% tariff in place from 2018, the cost of this disposable vape was $10, plus a $2.50 tariff (10*25%), for a total cost of $12.50 for the retailer.
Let’s say that they then sold this product for $15. Its profit margin is $2.50, or 25%.
Now, with the 270% tariffs, the cost of this disposable vape is $10 (the cost from the supplier in China), plus a $27 tariff (10*270%), for a total cost of $37.50 for the retailer.
In order to maintain the same $2.50 profit, the retailer would have to sell this product for $40 – a 266% increase in cost for you, the consumer who just wants to buy that disposable vape brand that you’ve come to love.
Costs could be partially absorbed at any point in the supply chain, either by companies who are manufacturing the vapes, by slashing prices, or by vape stores who are purchasing the products, by taking a hit on profits.
It’s possible that retailers cut their profit margins, but in an industry where profit margins are already thin, that hardly seems like a viable solution. This also would not do much to bring down the price that you, a consumer, will pay.
Even if vape shops decided to make no profits at all and sell their products at cost (an unsustainable situation for any retailer that wants to remain in business), that $40 disposable vape would only go down in price to $37.50.
That’s still more than double what it used to cost before the new tariffs on China.
How to prepare before the tariffs increase prices
There’s nothing that we, as consumers, can do to prevent these tariffs from taking effect. The stock that retailers imported before the tariff increases isn’t unlimited, and eventually it will run out. When that happens, prices are going to increase, and they’re going to increase a lot.
Stock up
The best course of action for vapers who can is to stock up while prices are low. If you can afford it, you should purchase multiple of your favorite disposable vapes, coils, pods, and ejuices.
If purchasing a bulk amount of vaping products isn’t in your budget, your choices are limited, but there are options. If the disposable vape you’re using is expensive, you may want to switch to a cheaper alternative. If you can purchase multiple of these cheaper disposable vapes, that’s going to be your best bet.
For pod vape users, you may have to switch to a cheaper ejuice that you can purchase in multiples.
Many online vape stores, such as Eightvape, Vapesourcing, and Mi-Pod, have clearance sections where you can find some cheaply priced items. These clearance sections are a great way to build your personal inventory of vaping products before tariffs raise the prices beyond what many will be able to afford.
Live close to Canada? Buy there!
If you live close to the U.S.-Canada border (and even if you don’t), you may want to make the trip to Canada and stock up from a vape store there. Retailers in Canada are not facing the increased tariffs on products from China, so prices should remain relatively stable and consistent, even as prices soar in the United States.
Even if the trip to the border is far, it may still be more cost-effective to pay for gas than to pay exorbitant prices for a single disposable vape or ejuice.
Ration & vape less
This is easier said than done, but once the tariff increase raises prices, many vapers may not have another choice.
Now is as good a time as any to cut down on your vaping and nicotine intake, or to quit altogether. You can try to lower the level of nicotine in your ejuice or disposable vape, with the hope of quitting altogether by the time that prices go up. Again, easier said than done, but if it’s something you’ve been thinking about doing already, now is the time.
If quitting vaping is out of the question, you’ll want to consider vaping less. It will take a lot of willpower, and it won’t be easy, but it’s a surefire way to cut down on the amount of disposable vapes, ejuice, or coils/pods that you’re using.
Are tariffs here to stay?
The possible good news here is that these tariffs are unlikely to remain in place permanently. Most economists see a trade deal being reached between the United States and China as more likely than not, likely within a few months.
However, nothing can be said with certainty except that 270% tariffs are set to hit vaping products the next time that these products reach the United States from China.
Vapers who can afford to stock up while prices are low should do so. If not, taking a trip to a Canadian vape store, or vaping less are your other options.
What are your thoughts on these latest tariff increases? What are you doing to prepare? Leave me a comment down below.
Russ Ware
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