What will Customs actually sieze?

[kristin]

OK, a bunch of questions for anyone who may know.

I know that customs is stopping some e-cigs from coming into the country. But are these just COMPLETE kits labeled "Electronic Cigarettes?" Or are they also siezing just the components?

What about in Canada? What exactly are they stopping at the border? Whole kits only or ANYTHING that can be used to make an e-cig?

If they are only siezing complete e-cigs, would they stop a shipment of JUST batteries or JUST atomizers, if they weren't labeled as for use in e-cigs?

Meaning, could a company that sells just electronics parts for comuters, cameras, etc., order a bunch of batteries and atomizers from China, as long as they aren't going to make e-cigs out of them, just resell the parts seperately?

Is there any China manufacturer that just sells parts, not label for specific use as e-cigs?

Has anyone in Canada just tried ordering the parts seperately?

Is China the only country making PG or VG-based nicotine for sale to the general public?

Just trying to figure what exactly the FDA would realistically be able to stop at Customs if they get control over e-cigs.

I mean, many people use Lorann and other flavorings in e-liquid. Just for that, they won't ban Lorann's, right? Couldn't the same be said of other individual components of e-cigs?

 

[kristin]

Really? No one has looked into this at all?

 

[Scooter Bob]

Excellent questions. I was told(for what it's really worth) by another veteran vaporer that personal orders would still get through, but the bulk items would be the problem. When you really think about all the extra work involved for gathering Bob and Sally's personal orders, it kinda makes sense. We'll see in time, and I hope someone else here has some real answers to your questions. Bob

 

[stubidass]

This is not quite the same thing - but it does have a little resemblance of sorts.

In my past life I used to deal with Satellite equipment. Mainly DTV and Dishnet that would be brought into Canada legally.

Prior to the knowledge the systems were being hacked here in Canada and peeps were getting free TV, the companies started keeping an eye on how many systems you were allowed to import.

To make a long and not so distinguished story short - where I ran into problems with Customs was on bulk orders for the equipment used in "hacking" the satellites.

I had two bulk orders seized by US customs on equipment they deemed to be illegal in the USA but where by and large legal in Canada.

On the other hand - sending out small orders to customers seemed to get delivered far more often than anything shipped in bulk.

That is why on my recent (today) purchase of my e-cig starter kit I ordered from a Canadian supplier to save me any hassles.

Not what you are looking for exactly - but may offer some insight?

 

[Sad Society]

This is all a grey area right now with whats been going on with the FDA. The only thing I could think of to be questionable with customs is nicotine juice. As of right now ecig juice and parts and kits are not illegal.

Nicotine is in patches and gum and cigarettes, ect. and is legal for adults to buy and obtain. Nicotine could very well be passed as a controlled substance, especially when it comes down to it being in the form of a liquid, such as nicotine juice.

I think this is where the frustration comes in with the opposition of Ecigs. It's not a black and white picture. They can't just come in and say that nicotine is illegal otherwise all nicotine products will become illegal.

It's a very delicate yet complicated matter.

Another weird example could be....
I could legally buy and obtain household chemicals. But it would be illegal for me to mix and cook these chemicals together to make drugs.

 

[trog100]

the bottom line is they just do not have the manpower to check the many many thousands of small packages that ship into the US..

when in doubt let it thru.. exactly the opposite to what they would have you believe... they also dont have the shipping power or the money to send it all back to china...

the chinese know this which is why you cant read a bloody word of what they scribble on all these packages we buy from them..

trog

ps.. its not the law at work here.. its simply what can and what cannot be done.. things are not as they seem..

 

[HaploVoss]

Those sample kits that my wife ordered a while back? They all came in one box. The packing slip said:

3pcs - USB chargers.

That's all it said. LOL -> oh forgot to put batteries, carts, and cases in there.

 

[FizzleFisch]

Hi Kristin, sounds like you might be involved in a little research prior to composing yet another excellent article. Good for you dear!!
-- fisch

 

[Sasseaux]

IDK but my order from China of 25 attys arrived today! No problemo.

 

[kristin]

IDK but my order from China of 25 attys arrived today! No problemo.

Well, e-cigs haven't been banned in the US yet.

 

[BlondieLocs]

I haven't returned to Canada yet (end of the month - I'm a reverse snowbird. Weird. I know.), but have obviously been following what's been going on up there.

My understanding is that Health Canada has put a ban on the nicotine juice itself, not the equipment. The equipment is legal. Most people from what I have gathered are having the nic and/or carts separated from the equipment for importing and are finding far less problems with this.

That being said, nicotine is still getting through. It seems to be luck of the draw.

 

[Sasseaux]

I know that customs is stopping some e-cigs from coming into the country. But are these just COMPLETE kits labeled "Electronic Cigarettes?" Or are they also siezing just the components?

They didn't seize my components.

 

[kristin]

They didn't seize my components.

Oh, I see what you're saying now! Sorry. I wonder, though, if they are only seizing Smoking Everywhere and Njoy stuff? Man, I wish I knew more about this!!

 

[trog100]

Well, e-cigs haven't been banned in the US yet.

and if its simply left to customs to keep them out banned or not they will still get thru..

the chinese will call them teddy bears if necessary to make sure they do..

trog

 

[kristin]

OK, so that solves the mechanical parts!

Is ALL nicotine liquid from China? I know that companies here have their own versions, but do they all use a base liquid from China?

 

[kcr]

I was under the impression that if there is a ban, it is not going to be so much availability of items as it is finding someone who will deliver them.

If they are banned, I am pretty sure the post office will not deliver.

 

[Stranger]

Import Refusal Report
Note it did not say cartridges or juice. If they find hardware they seize it.

 

[halfevildruid]

Import Refusal Report
Note it did not say cartridges or juice. If they find hardware they seize it.

Note that it was disclosed as electronic cigarettes. I would like to pose another question.

How many folks out there have recieved packages labeled "electronic cigarettes" or similar for the orders they have recieved. I have recieved NONE labeled that way.

 

[jvapor]

Note that it was disclosed as electronic cigarettes. I would like to pose another question.

How many folks out there have recieved packages labeled "electronic cigarettes" or similar for the orders they have recieved. I have recieved NONE labeled that way.

I have not either. In fact, mine have all said Batteries, Chargers and components as listed content.

 

[SKYYcamel]

In one of my orders from China, the e-cig components were wrapped tightly in a very very thick wad of bubble wrap. Sitting right on top of the bubble wrap wad was a god awful ugly burgundy drapery tassle. I cracked up when I opened that box.