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

Virginia Tightens Vape and Tobacco Retail Enforcement, With Fines Up to $15,000 Per Unlisted Product
Virginia Tightens Vape and Tobacco Retail Enforcement, With Fines Up to $15,000 Per Unlisted Product
A new Virginia law that took effect on July 1, 2026, requires retailers to obtain permits to sell liquid nicotine, vape and tobacco products, while directing Virginia ABC to conduct inspections and verify that stores sell only products listed in the state directory.
Jul.20
JT’s Ploom Volumes Rise 43.5% as Cigarettes Anchor Its Transition
JT’s Ploom Volumes Rise 43.5% as Cigarettes Anchor Its Transition
JT’s Ploom heated-tobacco volumes rose 43.5% in the first half of 2026, while combustibles still represented about 97% of its tobacco volume and remained the main earnings base. In Japan, reduced-risk products now account for 48.7% of industry shipments, shifting competition from category adoption towards brand share, pricing and consumer retention. JT’s results offer a revealing case of a traditional tobacco company pursuing a prolonged, dual-track transformation.
JTI
Jul.30
  South Korea Reopens Cigarette Tax Debate as 63% Back Higher Tobacco Taxes
South Korea Reopens Cigarette Tax Debate as 63% Back Higher Tobacco Taxes
South Korea’s cigarette tax debate has resurfaced after the Ministry of Health and Welfare said tobacco price policy needed review, with a poll showing 63% of respondents support higher tobacco taxes.
Regulations
Jun.22
Product | PMI Introduces VEEV inPrime, Bringing an Induction Vaporization Platform to the Next Generation of the VEEV Portfolio
Product | PMI Introduces VEEV inPrime, Bringing an Induction Vaporization Platform to the Next Generation of the VEEV Portfolio
Philip Morris International (PMI) has introduced VEEV inPrime, the next-generation closed-system vape platform featuring the new AdvanceVape Induction System™. Alongside the new induction platform, PMI has redesigned the pods, e-liquid formulations and user interaction experience. According to PMI and official IQOS websites, VEEV inPrime began a phased European rollout between May and June 2026, with products now available in Greece, Estonia, the United Kingdom and Italy.
Jul.14
Changing Assumptions in U.S. Cigar Consumption: 2Firsts Interviews Cigar Educator Mechelle Merkerson
Changing Assumptions in U.S. Cigar Consumption: 2Firsts Interviews Cigar Educator Mechelle Merkerson
U.S. premium cigar culture is shifting toward education, broader choice and deeper links to craftsmanship and origin, cigar educator Mechelle Merkerson told 2Firsts. She sees boutique brands, women consumers and production-region experiences making knowledge central to cigar participation. For global brands, retailers and emerging markets such as China, education may help turn curiosity into sustained engagement.
Special Report
Jul.06
DOJ Trade Fraud Task Force Tops $1 Billion in Cases, Putting Vape Supply Chains at Risk of Fraud Enforcement
DOJ Trade Fraud Task Force Tops $1 Billion in Cases, Putting Vape Supply Chains at Risk of Fraud Enforcement
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Fox News and other reports, the DOJ’s Trade Fraud Task Force (TFTF) has been linked to more than $1 billion in recoveries, penalties, forfeitures and publicly charged losses in less than one year. The task force focuses on trade fraud issues including country-of-origin fraud, illegal transshipment, false declarations and tariff evasion. While vape products are not the main source of the $1 billion figure, the industry’s reliance on global manufacturing and cross-border supply chains places it within broader U.S. trade enforcement scrutiny. The development suggests that U.S. oversight of cross-border vape products may increasingly extend beyond product authorization into import compliance, supply-chain transparency and corporate accountability.
Jul.23