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

Special Report | Can Nicotine Be Replaced? 6-MN Is Already on the Market While Key Human Evidence Is Still Missing
Special Report | Can Nicotine Be Replaced? 6-MN Is Already on the Market While Key Human Evidence Is Still Missing
Nicotine analogues such as 6-methylnicotine are already appearing in e-cigarettes and oral pouches, even as key human evidence remains limited. A new Nixodine-S study adds nonclinical data showing differences from nicotine in cytotoxicity and receptor activity, while independent studies point to a more complex toxicological picture. With supply-chain activity growing and FDA seeking clearer authority over nicotine analogues, the industry now faces a larger question: what evidence is needed before these substances can credibly replace nicotine?
SCIENCE
Sep.23
Ispire Q4 Revenue Rebounds 33% but Full-Year Sales Still Fall 25% as FY2027 Focus Shifts to Malaysia Manufacturing, ODM, Nicotine Pouches and Age Verification
Ispire Q4 Revenue Rebounds 33% but Full-Year Sales Still Fall 25% as FY2027 Focus Shifts to Malaysia Manufacturing, ODM, Nicotine Pouches and Age Verification
Ispire Technology reported FY2026 revenue of about $96 million, down 24.7% year over year, as U.S. cannabis-vapor hardware and European e-cigarette sales declined by $17.4 million and $12.7 million, respectively. Fourth-quarter revenue rose 32.5% to $26.7 million, while quarterly gross margin fell to 6.3%. For FY2027, the company is prioritizing Malaysia manufacturing and vapor ODM while continuing to develop nicotine pouches, IKE Tech age-verification technology and G-Mesh licensing. Ispire has not separately disclosed the revenue or profit contribution of those newer businesses.
Regulations
Sep.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives
India Steps Up Nicotine Pouch Enforcement as ZYN, White Fox Circulate and Drug Panel Urges Halt to New Nicotine Formulations
India Steps Up Nicotine Pouch Enforcement as ZYN, White Fox Circulate and Drug Panel Urges Halt to New Nicotine Formulations
India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has directed states to step up enforcement against nicotine pouch sales, citing increased availability through online and offline channels and concern about nicotine exposure among children. Reuters reported that international brands including ZYN and White Fox are being sold in India. A study led by ICMR-NICPR found pouches in seven of 10 surveyed locations and identified 68 brands and 445 flavors online. Separately, India's Drugs Technical Advisory Board recommended in August that no new nicotine formulation be approved.
Regulations
Sep.28 by 2Firsts Perspectives
UK Reform Party Proposes Cap of 1,000 Vape Shops Under Plan to Tighten Retail Controls
UK Reform Party Proposes Cap of 1,000 Vape Shops Under Plan to Tighten Retail Controls
The UK Reform Party has proposed limiting the number of dedicated vape shops in the country to around 1,000 as part of a plan to tighten oversight of vape retail channels. The proposal was put forward by Reform UK deputy leader and MP Lee Anderson. The plan remains a political proposal and has not become UK government policy, with no detailed legislation, implementation timeline or allocation rules announced.
Aug.10
Charlie’s Says 30 PACHA Vape SKUs Tentatively Identified for FDA’s Non-Priority Enforcement Public List
Charlie’s Says 30 PACHA Vape SKUs Tentatively Identified for FDA’s Non-Priority Enforcement Public List
Charlie’s Holdings said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration notified the company on June 23, 2026, that 30 PACHA vape SKUs with submitted PMTAs had been tentatively identified for inclusion on a planned public-facing FDA webpage. Under enforcement guidance issued by FDA in May, the webpage is intended to identify certain unauthorized products for which the agency generally does not intend to prioritize enforcement of premarket authorization requirements. Charlie’s disclosed the development alongside second-quarter revenue of $3.8 million, up 116% year over year.
Aug.25
JUUL2 Sued Within a Week of FDA Authorization as AJ Marketing Alleges Infringement of Programmable Vape Patent
JUUL2 Sued Within a Week of FDA Authorization as AJ Marketing Alleges Infringement of Programmable Vape Patent
Less than a week after JUUL2 received U.S. FDA marketing authorization on August 28, 2026, JUUL Labs was sued for patent infringement in federal court in Delaware. AJ Marketing LLC filed the complaint on September 3, alleging that both JUUL 1 and JUUL2 infringe U.S. Patent No. 8,851,068 B2. The patent covers aspects of programmable electronic vaporization devices, including controls over dose delivery, usage frequency and operating parameters. The plaintiff is seeking reasonable royalties and ongoing royalties tied to the remaining life of the patent. JUUL has not yet publicly responded to the case.
Sep.10