Vaping is getting more popular. E-cigarettes are a great alternative to traditional ones. Some people do not know that the device was invented and patented in China in 2003. In the Chinese market, the retail price for a single pack of cigarettes is low. How to import e-cigarettes from China?
E-cigarettes in the world
There are many types and names for e-cigarettes and components, like:
- Reusable e-cigarettes
- Rechargeable e-cigarettes
- Disposable e-cigarettes
- E-cigarette pens
- Vaporizers
- E-liquids
- E-pipes.
Before jumping into the e-cigarette business, you should check the relevant regulations in the destination country.
The sale of e-cigarettes (ENDS) is banned in:
- Argentina
- Bahrain
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Cambodia
- Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Gambia
- India
- Iran (Islamic Republic of)
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- occupied Palestinian territory
- Oman
- Panama
- Qatar
- Singapore
- Sri Lanka
- Suriname
- Syrian Arab Republic
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
More countries ban using e-cigarettes in public places. Gambia and Singapore ban the possession of e-cigarettes and similar devices.
Importing e-cigarettes from China
How to source e-cigarettes from China?
The main center for manufacturing e-cigarettes in China is Shenzhen, a city known as the biggest manufacturing base for electronic equipment.
When you source e-cigarettes from China, you should remember some things. The e-cigarette is a complicated device that consists of a battery, an atomizer, an inhaler, and a liquid container. The liquid heating process is controlled by a miniature microprocessor paired with a sensor, which detects when the smoker is breathing. Some devices may be faulty upon arrival, so offer an after-sale service. The battery capacity may be smaller than advertised, and some of the parts may be second-hand and refurbished. You should be able to provide your clients with consumables, such as atomizers and batteries.
The number of smokers worldwide is high. It is over one billion, one-seventh of the world’s population. These people will sooner or later realize the harmful influence of smoking on their health and will start looking for other solutions. E-cigarettes may be their choice, so this sector of the market has a lot of potential.
Before you decide to cooperate with a business partner, check if the company is reliable.
Importing e-cigarettes from China to the EU
- As an importer, you have to pay due duties. The EU customs duties are available in the TARIC system.
- The EU tariff on electronic cigarettes and similar personal electric vaporizing devices is 3.7%. The customs code is 8543 40. The VAT and excise vary between Member States.
- In the European Union, the EU Tobacco Products Directive is in place.
- ENDS for sale in the EU must carry information messages, as well as general, health, and children’s resistance warnings.
- Medical e-cigarettes are regulated by the Medical Device Directive.
- E-cigarettes have to comply with RoHS, REACH, EMC Directive, LVD, and GPSD.
- ENDS in the EU must bear a CE mark and a WEEE label.
- E-liquid tanks (max 2ml) must obtain the European Community Identification Number (ECID).
Importing e-cigarettes from China to the US
- Check tariffs propr every import. The US tariffs are in the HTS.
- The US tariff on electronic cigarettes and similar personal electric vaporizing devices with substances containing nicotine is 2.6% (code 8543.40.00.20). There is an additional China tariff (25%).
- Some states have an e-cigarette tax.
- Submit Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) before importing e-cigarettes to the US.
- E-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are classified as tobacco products by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- FDA regulates the production, sale, promotion, advertising, distribution, importation, packaging, and labeling of e-cigarettes.
- Register your ENDS in the FDA’s Unified Registration and Listing Systems (FURLS) online. Re-register it before every December 31.
- ENDS have to bear the country of origin label and warnings.
- Affix a child-resistant packaging label and warnings on liquid nicotine containers.
- Voluntary UL 8139 covers e-cigarette devices’ safety, heating, battery, and charging systems.
- Keep in mind that in the US, there are e-cigarettes state regulations.