E-Cigarette Import License in Korea — 2026 Complete Guide

1. E-Cigarette Regulation Overview

E-cigarettes are regulated under the Tobacco Business Act in Korea. Importing e-cigarettes — whether liquid nicotine (전자담배 액상형) or heated tobacco products (궐련형 전자담배) — requires a license from the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

2. Types of E-Cigarettes and Their Rules

• Liquid nicotine devices: Import license + nicotine product safety review
• Heated tobacco products (HTP): Treated as conventional tobacco, requires standard tobacco import license
• Nicotine-free e-liquids may have different rules — confirm with the ministry

3. Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a registered corporation in Korea
• Paid-in capital: KRW 500 million (same as tobacco)
• Designated import warehouse
• Product safety test results from a recognized laboratory

4. Required Documents

• Import license application
• Corporate registry and business plan
• Product specification and ingredient declaration
• Safety test reports
• Proof of capital and warehouse

5. Application Procedure

1. Product safety testing (can take 2–3 months)
2. Application submission to Ministry of Economy and Finance
3. Review and possible on-site inspection
4. License issuance (approx. 30–60 business days)

6. Post-License Obligations

• Compliance with nicotine content labeling
• No sale to minors (strict enforcement)
• Quarterly reporting to ministry
• Excise tax payment