The FDA ordered Import inspectors to detain shipments of Elf Bar and Esco Bar disposable vapes from China and Korea, adding the products to the “Import Red List.” An “import red list” authorizes U.S. ports of entry to detain the merchandise without physical inspection.
“May detain without physical examination.”
Elf Bar and Esco Bar packages from red-listed shippers are subject to seizure on suspicion of being unauthorized tobacco products. It is now the responsibility of the shippers or manufacturers to prove that the product is legal for removal from the red list.
The alerts list Elf Bar, EBDesign, and six Chinese and one Korean shippers whose shipments can be detained without inspection. Esco Bar shippers include six Chinese and one U.S. addresses.
The FDA’s Note states that its Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) “has determined that this firm may be importing/manufacturing/shipping a new tobacco product (Elf Bar/Elfbar or EBDESIGN) without marketing authorization.”
The Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) issued the alerts on May 17th.
