Alibaba International Announces Rules for E-Cigarette Products
Alibaba International recently announced that it has made changes to its regulations regarding the control of e-cigarette products, based on the legal requirements and standards for selling such products in different countries and regions. It has also launched targeted recruitment for e-cigarette businesses that have obtained the necessary license from China's tobacco monopoly production enterprises.
Below are the specific regulations of Alibaba International Site:
1. Targeted investment promotion model
E-cigarette businesses that have obtained the Chinese tobacco monopoly production enterprise license in mainland China are encouraged to contact their client manager for inquiries regarding the admission requirements and application process for e-cigarette product qualification. Only merchants who have successfully obtained e-cigarette product qualification and have duly signed the merchant commitment letter are eligible to advertise and sell e-cigarette products on the platform, provided that their products comply with the control requirements outlined in Article 2 of these guidelines.
2. Regulation requirements for e-cigarette products
- Definition of e-cigarette products
- E-cigarettes, also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), are devices that use batteries to heat a liquid containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals to produce an aerosol, which users inhale into their lungs. The definition of e-cigarettes can vary between different countries. Related products include pods, atomizers, e-liquids, vaping devices, and accessories.
- E-cigarette pod: An e-cigarette component that contains aerosol substances, among others.
- Products sold in the combination of pods and smoking accessories include disposable e-cigarettes and e-cigarette products sold in a packaging unit that complies with relevant national standards.
- Aerosols: Mixtures and additives that can be fully or partially atomized into an aerosol by electronic devices, including but not limited to solid form aerosols and liquid form aerosols (i.e. e-cigarette liquids).
- Nicotine for e-cigarettes: Refers to the nicotine used in e-cigarette liquid, pods, and e-liquids.
- E-cigarette: An electronic device that enables users to inhale, suck, chew, or inhale through the nose, by vaporizing substances such as e-liquid.
2. Restrictions on the Sale of E-cigarette Products
- Merchants who have obtained qualifications for e-cigarette products can now publish e-cigarette smoking devices and their accessories on Alibaba International. These include, but are not limited to, e-cigarette vaporizers, cigarette holders, pen-style e-cigarettes, mouthpieces, e-cigarette batteries, e-cigarette liquid fillers, and e-cigarette packaging, among other related products.
- Products that combine e-cigarette pods, vaporizers, disposable e-cigarettes, and any products that contain e-cigarette liquid, e-liquid, or nicotine are prohibited from being sold. This includes all related accessories and packaging for disposable e-cigarettes, regardless of whether the liquid information is labeled or not. Alibaba International can revise the scope of prohibited goods at any time based on changes in laws, regulations, regulations, public opinion, and other factors.
- Ban on online sales of e-cigarette products
- E-cigarette products are prohibited from being promoted and marketed in any settings, including but not limited to, promotional events, rankings, international site recommendations, livestreams, advertising spaces, and any other scenes that Alibaba International deems to fall within the concept of marketing and promotion.
- Advertising and any descriptions that can be considered as promotional of e-cigarette products are strictly prohibited.
- Alibaba International Station prohibits the placement of online links to e-cigarette products posted on its platform on any websites other than Alibaba International Station.
- Product description limitations, including but not limited to product title, keywords, and detail page locations:
Prohibition on the use of any descriptions related to nicotine, tobacco, or e-cigarette flavors.
Prohibition on depicting items that resemble or might be mistaken for food;
It is prohibited to use any images, portraits, music, or wording that may encourage buyers to use e-cigarettes.
It is prohibited to depict cartoon or real/fictional characters that may attract individuals below the age of 18 or describe individuals below the age of 25 or those who appear to be below the age of 25 using this product.
Prohibition on any guarantees or positive promotion regarding one's personal appearance or attractiveness.
It is prohibited to mention any illegal drugs or other prohibited products, including any marijuana derivatives.
Prohibit any exaggerated or false statements.
3. Restrictions on Selling in the Target Country
In order to meet regulatory requirements and adhere to international trade policies, companies often face limitations on selling their products in foreign markets. These restrictions can be imposed for a variety of reasons, such as protecting domestic industries, safeguarding national security interests, or maintaining cultural and ethical standards. When entering a new market, companies must first conduct a thorough analysis of the potential restrictions they may encounter. This involves understanding the legal framework, compliance requirements, and any specific trade barriers that may be in place. In some cases, companies may need to obtain necessary licenses or certifications to ensure their products meet the standards set by the target country. Limitations on selling may also include quotas, tariffs, or import/export bans imposed by the government. Such measures are implemented to regulate the inflow and outflow of goods, controlling the competitiveness of domestic industries and safeguarding employment opportunities for local citizens. Another consideration for companies is the cultural and ethical norms of the target country. These aspects can impact product acceptance and demand. For instance, certain religious or cultural beliefs may require companies to modify their products or marketing strategies to align with local sensitivities. In summary, selling in a target country often involves navigating various restrictions and compliance measures. Companies must carefully assess these limitations and adapt their strategies to ensure successful market entry while respecting the regulations and values of the host nation.
Alibaba International will promptly adjust the list of countries and regions where sales are prohibited or restricted based on changes in local laws, regulations, regulations, and public sentiment. It is essential for businesses to understand the uncertainty and potential adjustments in Alibaba International's restrictions policy on sales to target countries. The following countries and regions are prohibited from selling e-cigarette products in any form, including but not limited to exporting to target countries upon buyer's request, exporting to target countries through a third country upon buyer's request, or businesses offering to help buyers export to target countries.
- Countries and regions where sales are prohibited:
Mexico, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, Turkey, the Vatican, Australia, Palau, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, India, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor, Iraq, Iran, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, Mauritius, Suriname, Tunisia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Gambia, Argentina, Brazil, Antigua and Barbuda, Nicaragua, Panama, Uruguay, the United States, Canada, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Romania, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, New Zealand.
- Countries and regions requiring separate approval for restricted sales:
Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
4. Category restrictions and adjustment details for e-cigarette products
Merchants who have obtained qualifications for e-cigarette products are required to publish e-cigarette devices and their accessories in the relevant sub-categories under the Consumer Electronics>Electronic Cigarettes category. They are prohibited from posting any goods (including e-cigarette and non-e-cigarette products) in categories outside the Consumer Electronics>Electronic Cigarettes category.
The e-cigarette product category (Consumer Electronics > Electronic Cigarettes) is expected to officially launch on October 12th, 2023. Under the sub-category Electronic Cigarettes, the following detailed categories will be available for launch:
Category Level 3: BoxMod Subcategory Level 2: BoxModKits
Category 3: BoxMod, Subcategory Leaf: BoxMod Atomizers.
Category 3: Box Mods, Subcategory: Other Box Mods & Accessories.
Category 3: Vape Pen, Subcategory: Vape Pen Kits
Sub-category: Vape pens, Leaf category: Vape pen atomizers.
Level 3 Category: Vape Pens, Leaf Category: Other Vape Pens & Accessories
British American Tobacco (BAT) emerged as the highest scorer among tobacco companies in the 2021 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). The evaluation encompassed 24 categories, in which BAT secured industry-leading scores in 11 of them, and aced with perfect scores in six categories.
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