Imported – What It Means in Vaping Products & E-Liquids

Definition

In the vaping world, “Imported” describes any vape device, IGET disposable, e-liquid, coil or accessory that is manufactured outside Australia and brought in through international supply chains. These products are purpose-built to meet overseas regulatory standards (e.g., TPD in Europe, PMTA in the USA) and offer Australian vapers access to wider flavour ranges, higher-nicotine salt formulations and advanced chipsets not always available domestically. An imported item can be a fully assembled pod kit with an Battery“>integrated battery, a rebuildable tank shipped without cells, or a 60 mL bottle of 50 mg nic salt—each classified as “imported” once it crosses the border.

Technical Details

How it works

Imported hardware functions identically to locally sold gear: power from an internal battery or replaceable 18650/21700 cell passes through a control board to the coil, vaporising e-liquid according to the selected wattage or inhale style (MTL, RDL, DL). Compliance differences lie in firmware limits: EU imports cap at 2 mL tank capacity and 20 mg/mL nicotine, while US versions may allow 5 mL pods and 50 mg salts. Packaging must list country of origin, batch code and child-resistant mechanisms. Freight forwarding typically adds 7–14 days to delivery, with lithium-ion devices requiring IATA Section II labelling and insulator caps on cells to prevent short circuits.

Common variations

  • Region-locked disposables: IGET Pro 5 % nic (China) vs. IGET Legend 2 % nic (UK)
  • Adapter kits: US-imported pods shipped with an AU-compliant Type-C charging cable
  • Parallel imports: Identical SKU sourced from Singapore instead of the official Aussie distributor

Usage & Tips

  • Before buying: Verify the integrated battery capacity (mAh) and Resistance“>coil resistance suit your inhale style; high-watt DL tanks may arrive with 0.15 Ω coils that drain small cells quickly.
  • Customs & GST: Orders over AUD 1,000 incur GST and duty—split large shipments to stay below the threshold.
  • Authenticity check: Scratch the security code on the insulatorsleeve or box and enter it on the manufacturer’s website; counterfeit imports often skip this.
  • Safety: Allow imported lithium-ion devices to reach room temperature before first use; condensation during air freight can trigger protection circuits.
  • Problem solving: If a device auto-fires after delivery, remove the pod and check for e-liquid in the airflow sensor—common with air-pressure changes in cargo holds.

History & Context

The “imported” label gained traction in 2020 when Australia’s domestic nicotine prescription scheme pushed consumers to overseas websites for 50 mg nic salt disposables like IGET. Parallel importers quickly filled the gap, creating today’s dual market: TGA-compliant 0 mg flavours in local shops and higher-strength direct-from-China options ordered online.

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