US FDA updates import alert to include elego, heaven gifts, HQD, qisitech, and BAT

Nov.01.2024
US FDA updates import alert to include elego, heaven gifts, HQD, qisitech, and BAT
US FDA updates import alert: e-cigarette and nicotine pouch brands like elego, heaven gifts, HQD, qisitech, and BAT added to "red list"

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its "Import Alert 98-06" (also known as the "Red List") on October 31, adding several brands of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and nicotine pouches involving numerous Chinese and international companies.

 

The October 31st update to the *Detention Without Physical Examination of New Tobacco Products Without Required Marketing Authorization* (known as "Import Alert 98-06" or the "Red List") includes a new batch of e-cigarette companies, primarily from China, Sweden, Poland, and the United States.

 

These companies are accused of importing unapproved ENDS products. The FDA stated that "tobacco products listed on the Red List of this import alert may be detained without physical inspection.

 

The alert specifically targets e-cigarette brands under the names "CALI" and "Aroma King" and covers various product types, including unflavored, flavored, tobacco-flavored, and unspecified categories. 

 

In addition, BAT Sweden AB's "Lyft Cool Air" nicotine pouches and HABIT FACTORY's "Klint" smokeless tobacco products were added to the regulatory list.

 

The specific list is as follows:

 

 

China

 

 

1. Elego Operation Company Limited (Shenzhen) – CALI ENDS products, classified under non-flavored, flavored (other), flavored (tobacco), and non-applicable categories.

2. Heaven Gifts Incorporated Limited (Shenzhen) – Aroma King ENDS.

3. Shenzhen HQD Technology Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen) – CALI ENDS products, multiple categories.

4. Shenzhen Leelvis Technology Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen) – Aroma King ENDS.

5. Shenzhen Shocklin Tech Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen) – CALI ENDS products, multiple categories.

6. Shenzhen Yihuikang Technology Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen) – CALI ENDS products, multiple categories.

7. Zhuhai Qisitech Co., Ltd. (Zhuhai) – RAZ DC25000 series and Aroma King ENDS products.

 

 

Outside China

 

Poland:

8. SYMETRICUS SP Z O

• Location: Katowice, Poland

• Product: Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) under the brand “Aroma King”


Sweden:

9. BAT SWEDEN AB

• Location: Malmö, Sweden

• Product: “Lyft Cool Air” nicotine pouch product


10. HABIT FACTORY IN SWEDEN AB (appears twice, with another registered address at Ostmastargrand 5, Arsta, Stockholms Lan SWEDEN)

• Location: Stockholm, Sweden

• Product: Smokeless tobacco and nicotine delivery products under the brand “Klint”

• Classification: Smokeless tobacco (98-C), nicotine delivery products (98-N), consumer tobacco products (98-A)


United States:

11. ACCESS VAPOR LLC (appears twice, with another registered address at 2426 Viscount Row)

• Location: Orlando, Florida, USA

• Product: All “CALI” branded Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) products

• Classification: Non-flavored (98-A), flavored (other) (98-C), flavored (tobacco) (98-D), non-applicable (98-E)


12. CICIDO TRADE LLC

• Location: 432 Tennyson Rd, Bartlett, IL 60103-4617, USA

• Product: All “CALI” branded Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) products

• Classification: Non-flavored (98-A), flavored (other) (98-C), flavored (tobacco) (98-D), non-applicable (98-E)


13. JOINT KA TRADE LLC

• Location: 2539 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA

• Product: Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) under the brand “Aroma King”


14. LILA TRADE LLC

• Location: 1909 S May St, Chicago, IL 60608-5381, USA

• Product: Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) under the brand “Aroma King”


15. PIONEER TRADE LLC

• Location: 3638 S Union Ave, Chicago, IL 60609-1647, USA

• Product: Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) under the brand “Aroma King”


16. RONGDA TRADE LLC

• Location: 2453 N Talman Ave, Chicago, IL 60647-1809, USA

• Product: Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) under the brand “Aroma King”


17. UCAN TRADE LLC

• Location: 2338 W Cortez St, Chicago, IL 60622-3519, USA

• Product: Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) under the brand “Aroma King”

 


 

Covered Product Categories

 

 

  • 98-A: All non-flavored consumer tobacco products.
  • 98-C: Other flavored tobacco products.
  • 98-D: Tobacco-flavored products.
  • 98-E: Non-applicable tobacco product categories.
  • 98-N: Smokeless tobacco and nicotine delivery products (e.g., nicotine pouches).

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

 $20 Million, a Permanent Injunction and Distributor Controls: Posh Deal Tightens Illinois Vape Compliance
$20 Million, a Permanent Injunction and Distributor Controls: Posh Deal Tightens Illinois Vape Compliance
An Illinois court ordered three companies tied to Posh vapes to pay $20 million and permanently restricted the sale, marketing and distribution in Illinois of products lacking required FDA authorization. The consent order also imposes downstream distributor controls, age-verification measures and social-media marketing limits, creating a new state-level compliance benchmark for disposable vape businesses.
Regulations
Aug.05
Charlie’s Plans Q3 2026 Pilot of America’s First Age-Gated Flavored Disposable Vape
Charlie’s Plans Q3 2026 Pilot of America’s First Age-Gated Flavored Disposable Vape
U.S. vape company Charlie’s Holdings announced plans to pilot its age-gated flavored disposable vape products in hundreds of retail stores during the third quarter of 2026. The company said the products will utilize AI- and blockchain-powered age-verification technology designed to address FDA concerns over youth access and potentially create a new compliance pathway for flavored vape products.
Jun.15
Australia’s Daily Smoking Rate Falls to Record Low of 5.8% as Nicotine Use Patterns Shift
Australia’s Daily Smoking Rate Falls to Record Low of 5.8% as Nicotine Use Patterns Shift
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey, daily smoking among Australians aged 18 and over fell to a record low of 5.8% in 2025. Health Minister Mark Butler said Australia now has around 500,000 fewer daily smokers than three years ago and credited the government’s vaping reforms as part of broader progress. Among people aged 14 and over, daily smoking declined from 8.3% in 2022-23 to 5.6% in 2025. Daily vaping rates stabilised at 3.6%, while the government also moved to further restrict access to nicotine pouches through unapproved therapeutic import pathways.
Jul.21
Nearly Half of Seoul Vape Vending Machines Bypassed by Fake IDs, Raising Youth Access Concerns
Nearly Half of Seoul Vape Vending Machines Bypassed by Fake IDs, Raising Youth Access Concerns
Seoul city authorities inspected 339 tobacco vending machines at e-cigarette retailers and found that 168, or 49.5%, allowed purchases using fake IDs, showing that unmanned retail terminals and adult-verification systems remain a major enforcement gap after e-cigarettes were brought under tobacco regulation.
Market
Jul.03 by 2Firsts Perspectives
UK PM Andy Burnham Shifts Business Rates Policy, Supporting Hospitality While Raising Pressure on Vape Shops
UK PM Andy Burnham Shifts Business Rates Policy, Supporting Hospitality While Raising Pressure on Vape Shops
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government is adjusting business rates policy to support hospitality businesses while some other sectors, including vape retailers, face higher operating cost pressures. According to Streamline Feed, AJ Bell and other reports, the policy shift reflects a redistribution of business rate burdens as the government seeks to support sectors facing economic pressure. For UK vape shops, the change comes amid a broader regulatory environment shaped by the disposable vape ban, the upcoming Vaping Products Duty and increased compliance requirements.
News
Jul.24
One Nation Proposes 50% Tobacco Excise Cut as Australia’s Illicit Market Expands
One Nation Proposes 50% Tobacco Excise Cut as Australia’s Illicit Market Expands
Australian One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has proposed cutting tobacco excise by 50% and freezing indexation until June 30, 2028, in a bid to lower legal cigarette prices and reduce the price advantage of the illicit tobacco market.
Jun.18