Photo credit: G. Edward Johnson, CC4.0.
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has launched a formal investigation into the import and sale of several brands of vaping products in the US following a complaint filed by subsidiaries of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.
The probe, initiated under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, will examine whether disposable and closed-system electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are being imported or sold through unfair competition practices or other illegal activities.
The complaint—filed on January 13, 2026, and supplemented on February 13, and publicly announced by the ITC on February 26—was submitted by several Reynolds entities, including R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, RAI Services Company, and Reynolds Marketing Services Company.
Reynolds claims that certain imported vaping devices violate US laws and regulations, including the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act, state and local flavor bans, state directory requirements, and excise-tax rules. The company asserts that these practices threaten to “destroy or substantially injure” the domestic industry.
The ITC investigation targets several companies and distributors located in the US and internationally, including manufacturers in China and Hong Kong, as well as US distributors. The USITC has identified the following respondents in its investigation:
- D&A Distribution, LLC d/b/a Strictly E-cig, Savannah, Georgia
- ECTO World LLC d/b/a Demand Vape, Buffalo, New York
- Geek Miracle (HK) Limited Unit, Hong Kong, China
- Guangdong Qisitech Co., Ltd., Guangdong, China
- Headway Funding Inc. d/b/a Jewel Distribution, Agoura Hills, California
- Heaven Gifts International Ltd, Shenzhen, China
- iMiracle HK Limited, Hong Kong, China
- iMiracle (Shenzhen) Technology Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, China
- Magellan Technology Inc., Buffalo, New York
- Midwest Goods Inc. d/b/a Midwest Distribution Illinois, Bensenville, Illinois
- RZ Smoke Inc., Suffield, Connecticut
- Safa Goods, LLC, Punta Gorda, Florida
- Shenzhen Geekvape Technology Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, China
- Texas Central Distribution LLC, Houston, Texas
- Unishow USA, Inc., Houston, Texas
- Zhuhai Qisitech Co., Ltd., Guangdong Province, China
Reynolds is requesting that the commission issue a general or limited exclusion order to prevent the importation of the accused vaping devices, as well as cease-and-desist orders against certain distributors.
"We are hopeful this investigation will lead to an exclusion order barring these products from entering the country to ensure a fair market among legitimate companies and adult nicotine consumers, underpinned by science and appropriate regulation," Reynolds wrote in a statement
Section 337 investigations are often used by companies to challenge suspected unfair imports and can lead to trade remedies, such as import bans, if violations are confirmed.
“By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1486), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing,” a USITC release stated. “The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
“The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the US Trade Representative within that 60-day period.”
The investigation also highlights broader concerns about the rise of unauthorized vaping products in the U.S. market. Tobacco companies and regulators have warned that many devices are being sold without meeting federal authorization requirements or state regulatory standards.
If the ITC eventually finds violations, the commission could prohibit certain products from entering the US, a move that might significantly reshape the disposable vape market.