E-Cigarette Import Registration in Korea — 2026 Complete Guide

1. E-Cigarette Regulation Overview

E-cigarettes are regulated under the Tobacco Business Act in Korea, which defines tobacco as a product manufactured from tobacco or nicotine, in whole or in part, in a form suitable for smoking, sucking, inhaling as vapor, chewing or sniffing (medicines and quasi-drugs under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act are excluded). Importing nicotine e-cigarettes — liquid nicotine (전자담배 액상형) or heated tobacco products (궐련형 전자담배) — therefore requires tobacco import and sales business registration with the Mayor or Do Governor of the head office or principal office location. A license from the Minister of Economy and Finance applies only to tobacco manufacturing.

2. Types of E-Cigarettes and Their Rules

• Liquid nicotine products: Tobacco under the Act — tobacco import and sales registration; the nicotine solution volume must be shown on containers and packaging
• Heated tobacco products (HTP): Tobacco under the Act — the same tobacco import and sales registration
• Zero-nicotine e-liquids: Not tobacco under the Tobacco Business Act if made without tobacco or nicotine; other rules may apply depending on the ingredients
• Devices only: Not tobacco by themselves; separate electrical product safety certification may apply

3. Eligibility Requirements

• A tobacco supply contract with a foreign tobacco manufacturer
• No disqualification grounds under the Tobacco Business Act (for corporations, including the representative)
• No minimum capital or warehouse requirement
• Both corporations and individual business owners may register

4. Required Documents

• Application for tobacco import and sales business registration (Form No. 7 of the Enforcement Rule)
• One copy of the supply contract with the foreign tobacco manufacturer
• For customs and distribution: import declaration under the Customs Act, and packaging with Korean warning labels and the nicotine solution volume

5. Application Procedure

1. Check whether the product is tobacco (made from tobacco or nicotine)
2. Conclude a supply contract with the foreign manufacturer
3. File the registration with the Mayor or Do Governor of the head office location
4. Receive the registration certificate
5. Report retail prices at least 6 days before sales begin, then complete the import declaration and customs clearance

6. Post-Registration Obligations

• Warning text and images on packs; nicotine solution volume labeling for liquid products
• Quarterly ingredient testing requests to a designated testing body
• No sale to juveniles under the Juvenile Protection Act
• Sell only to registered wholesalers or designated retailers; retailers may not sell by mail order or e-commerce
• Change registration when the supplier, head office location, corporate name or representative changes
• Tobacco taxes and charges apply — confirm amounts with a tax professional