With the E-commerce Law tightening daigou purchases, vaping users may face supply shortages

On January 1, 2019, the E-commerce Law officially came into effect, signaling the end of the era of making fast money through overseas shopping sprees, and daigou buyers are now facing a major decision.

Because domestic sales channels are limited, some enthusiasts mainly rely on daigou to buy the branded vaping devices they use. Once daigou purchases become more restricted, these users may face a supply shortage.

According to a report from the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League’s Baijiahao account, a post-95s young man named Yan Kai (alias), who only got into vaping in May 2018, is still considered a newcomer. He stressed, “I only use one foreign vape brand.” Yan Kai said many young people around him also enjoy it.

Pod systems are mainstream now, but some vaping enthusiasts are still passionate about big cloud setups. Yan Kai admitted that it looks cool, and when hanging out with friends, it feels stylish. To put it simply, looking cool is why most young people get into it in the first place: “It doesn’t cost much, and the effect is great for showing off, especially for selfies.”

Yan Kai said that around him, many young people who do not smoke at all have also started vaping, calling themselves enthusiasts, chasing big clouds, enjoying e-liquid DIY, and practicing smoke ring tricks. This is also why many young people emphasize that vaping is a “lifestyle.”

However, Yan Kai has recently had some concerns. The new E-commerce Law took effect at the start of the new year, which means daigou purchases are now regulated. “The brands we use depend on daigou. If restrictions increase, the vaping products I use may be cut off.”

He said prices have already started going up because they are getting harder to buy. “For example, the one I use has already gone up to 800 or 900 yuan on the market...”