R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, both owned by British American Tobacco Company(BAT), has filed an investigation request to the International Trade Commission (ITC). They are targeting a number of Vape companies and manufacturers from China and American for their international trade with the United States in accordance with Section 337 of the U.S. Tariff Act of 1930 (as amended). 

Specifically, they are alleging unfair import practices by multiple vape manufacturers, distributors and retailers of various popular disposable vapes.

It’s one of several recent actions Reynolds has taken to remove rival vaping products from store shelves. The case is “Certain Disposable Vaporizer Devices and Components and Packaging Thereof”, pre-investigation case number: 337-TA-3700.

Reynolds asked the ITC to investigate and issue an exclusion order to prevent further imports of disposable vape products into the United States.

If the ITC agrees with Reynolds, all flavored disposable vape devices without marketing authorization could be blocked at the border from entering the U.S. market.

Reynolds wants the U.S. ITC to issue a permanent “cease and desist order” prohibiting any vape company from selling illegal vaping products. The move would drive nearly the entire vape industry underground, except for products owned by big tobacco companies like Reynolds, which have received marketing orders from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Moreover, Reynolds’ indictment specifically names several vape companies as “illegal disposable vape dealers,”. These companies including disposable vape manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers of Breeze, Elf Bar, Esco Bar, Hyde, Puff Bar, and R&M.

In addition, several well-known wholesalers and retailers of disposable vapes in the United States are also named. These vape companies include Element Vape, Flawless Vape, Magellan Technology, Mi-One Brands, Price Point Distributors and Vape Sourcing.

The ITC indictment charges the defendants with importing “illegal disposable vapes” in violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930.

Specifically, Reynolds alleges that these vape companies either falsely represented that their products were authorized for sale by the U.S. government, or failed to comply with registration and reporting requirements and sales restrictions imposed by federal law or violated customs laws and regulations.

Last week, the FDA issued a Marketing Denial Order (MDO) against Vuse Alto products. The MDO orders Vuse Alto menthol flavored vape products to be withdrawn from the market. In addition, the Alto device and tobacco-flavored cartridges are still under review by the agency.

Among the 23 products currently authorized by the FDA are two older Vuse vapes, the Solo and Vibe models (and their tobacco-flavored refills).

Renault also said they have the ability to fill any gaps in the market if illegal disposable vape products are cleared.

“Reynolds is willing to meet any increased demand and can do so within a commercially reasonable time. Because it has provided a wide range of nicotine delivery devices as well as oral tobacco and nicotine products to the industry.”

The ITC has not yet made a decision on the complaint filed on October 13.

The plaintiff claims that the illegal acts committed by the Chinese and American vape companies defendants include:

• Violates the provisions of the Trademark Law regarding false and misleading advertising (False and Misleading Advertising Under the Lanham Act);
• Violations of Federal Laws Regulating ENDS Products;
• Violations of Customs Laws and Regulations Applicable to Imported Goods.

The involved vape companies and vape manufacturers are the followings:

Chinese vape companies and vape manufacturers:

1. Dongguan (Shenzhen) Shikai Technology Co., Ltd.

L5 Block A Shuangjinhui, Tongfuyu Fuyong

Baoan Shenzhen, Guangdong China 518101 

2. Guangdong Qisitech Co., Ltd.

Fuxing Road, Changan Town, Room 201, Building 3, No. 36

Dongguan, Guangdong Province, CHINA 523000

3. Shenzhen Daosen Vaping Technology Co., Ltd. 

#501, Building B1, Quanzhi Zhihui Park, Ligang S. Road.

Shajin Street, Bao’an Dist,, Shenzhen, China 518104 

4. Shenzhen Fumot Technology Co., Ltd.

A2907, Building A Longguan Jiuzuan Business Center, Minzhi Longhua, Shenzhen, China 518000 

5. Shenzhen Funyin Electronic Co., Ltd.

205 and 401, Building A3, Fuyan Ind. Zone Tangwei Community

Fuhai St., Bao’an Dist. Shenzhen

Guangdong, China 518000 

6. Shenzhen Han Technology Co., Ltd. 

Qianwan Hard Technology Park, Baoan District

Shenzhen, Guangdong,China 518126 

7. Shenzhen Innokin Technology Co., Ltd. 

Building 6, XinXinTian Industrial Park, Xinsha Road, Shajing

Baoan District, Shenzhen China 518104 

8. Shenzhen IVPS Technology Co., Ltd.

101 Building B8, No. 2, Cengayo Industrial Area

Yuluv Community, Yutang Subdistrict

Guangming District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China 518001 

9. Shenzhen Noriyang Technology Co., Ltd. 

Room 303, Building A, Zhonghengsheng High-Tech Park

Xinyu Road, Shajing Town, Baoan District

Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China 518104 

10. Shenzhen Pingray Technology

3rd Floor, No. 9 Building, HuaFeng International Made City

WanLe Rd., Shajing St., Bao’an District

Shenzhen, China 518000 

11. Shenzhen Weiboli Technology Co. Ltd. 

Room 312, Tianshuzuo, No. 6099 Bao’an Avenue

Bao’an District, Shenzhen, China 518000 

12. iMiracle (Shenzhen) Technology Co. Ltd. 

Room 1203, Block 1, Wanting Building, Xixiang Substrict

Bao’an District, Shenzhen China 518126

13. Vapeonly Technology Co. Ltd.

Room 306-311, Tianshu Building, No. 6099

Bao’an Avenue, Bao’an District, Shenzhen, China 518000

United States vape companies and vape manufacturers:

14. American Vape Company, LLC a/k/a American Vapor Company, LLC

13326 Immanuel RoadPflugerville, TX 78660-8006

15. Breeze Smoke, LLC

4654 Lilly CourtWest Bloomfield, MI 48323

16. EVO Brands, LLC

251 Little Falls Drive Wilmington, DE 19808

17. Flawless V ape Shop Inc.

1021 E. Orangethorpe Avenue Anaheim, CA 92801

18. Flawless V ape Wholesale & Distribution Inc.

1021 E. Orangethorpe AvenueAnaheim, CA 92801

19. Magellan Technology Inc.

2225 Kenmore Avenue Buffalo, NY 14207

20.Pastel Cartel, LLC

13326 Immanuel Road Pflugerville, TX 78660-8006

21. PVG2, LLC

251 Little Falls Drive Wilmington, DE 19808

22. SV3 LLC d/b/a Mi-One Brands

4908 E. McDowell Road Phoenix, AZ 85008

23. Thesy, LLC d/b/a Element Vape

10620 Hickson StreetEl Monte, CA 91731

24. Affiliated Imports, LLC

13326 Immanuel Road Pflugerville, TX 78660-8006

25. VICA Trading Inc. d/b/a Vapesourcing

3045 Edinger AvenueTustin, CA 92780

26. Price Point Distributors Inc. d/b/a Prince Point NY

500 Smith StreetFarmingdale, NY 11735

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