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Just received my powerbank and screen protector. These are 2 of the things I thought I would never find one NMIC. But finally found some.
Elecom is a Japanese brand usually making peripherals stuff. Though 90% of their products are MIC anyways, luckily some of them are not. The powerbank I bought is made in Malaysia and the screen protector is made in Japan.
They also have another powerbank that is made in Vietnam so I'll share both links (better buy at Amazon JP as it's usually a bit cheaper):
Unfortunately it seems they don't sell these outside Japan so you might need a proxy/shipping service if you want one. Luckily there are quite many services like that at my place so I could buy them.
Smartphone manufacturer OnePlus leaves Europe and North America.
10 years ago we were told that Chinese phones brands would absolutely DO-MI-NATE the world. Just submit for your own good... And here we are... OnePlus gone, the other brands of the group, Oppo and Vivo, struggle as well despite millions in advertising, paid YouTubers, and early adopters enthusiasm. Many other Chinese brands left quietly already, or just launch a few models.
Remember that to anyone tempted by Chinese cars. In 5-10 years your brand might be gone! Even BYD.
So why is that? In Europe and North America Apple, Samsung (and even Google) dominate the market. A small share of the pie is left to Chinese brands. And when they start to look at their sales versus sales in their mainland market China there's too much of a gap to justify the effort. So they leave.
So guys, continue your efforts to buy local or non-chinese brands. It pays off.
Trying to replace my room's ceiling fan because I'm trying to make my space more smarter and so I wouldn't have the hassle to buy smart bulbs or switches
I have long been fascinated with new and emerging technologies and water. But a new wave of interest is sweeping the US even as drought and water issues shock our nation. One answer to these problems could be water made from air. So, I put on my research hat, and went to work because I wanted to buy one.
Since I live in America’s heartland, I wanted a US Made product. But what I discovered was interesting and a little scary.
While only one company makes systems in the USA, many Chinese companies and manufacturers are trying to carefully pass off products built in China as US built or domestically produced — it’s not true.
One such company is Aquaria. I use them as one of the best marker examples of a China marketing and concealment effort designed to mislead unassuming US customers into thinking what they are purchasing is made in USA.
The total number of China white labels I counted with the help of my AI assistants is about 40 China brands selling in the USA.
[Sources: Aggregated from Chat GPT, google; and other in 2026]
Aquaria Technologies, Inc. — Evidence Summary:
1. U.S. corporate registration
Finding:
Aquaria Technologies, Inc. is registered as a “U.S. corporation.”
Corporate registration information shows:
Entity: Aquaria Technologies, Inc.
State of incorporation: Florida
Entity type: Profit Corporation
Filing date: May 23, 2024
CEO: Brian Sheng
COO: Eric Sheng
Principal business address:
600 Congress Ave.
Austin, Texas 78701
Registered agent:
Brian Sheng
Orlando, Florida
Source: [Florida Division of Corporations — Sunbiz.org]
Observation:
Aquaria is a U.S.-registered company. However, U.S. incorporation does not establish that the products sold by the company are manufactured in the United States. Their website claims to be an Austin based US company. True, but their products are not made in USA.
2. Evidence of Chinese manufacturing relationship
Finding:
Public trade records identify Shenzhen FND Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. as a supplier to Aquaria Technologies Inc.
These records indicate Aquaria imports atmospheric water generation equipment from a Chinese manufacturer on a routine and ongoing basis.
3. Shenzhen FND identifies itself as a Chinese manufacturer of atmospheric water generators
Finding:
Shenzhen FND Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. describes itself as an air and water technology company involved in:
research and development,
production,
sales,
installation,
service of atmospheric water generators.
The company identifies its operations in Shenzhen, China and promotes atmospheric water generator products and OEM/ODM capabilities.
Source: [Acquarias Water / FND Group]
Observation:
FND is not merely a trading company; it presents itself as a manufacturer capable of producing atmospheric water generation equipment.
4. Evidence of an Aquaria–FND business relationship
Finding:
FND publicly identifies Aquaria Technologies, Inc. as an American partner/representative. This information is current as of July 2026.
Source: [Acquarias Water (China) — Contact Information - America]
Observation:
The China relationship or connection is supported from both sides:
FND identifies Aquaria as its U.S. partner.
Import records identify Aquaria as a buyer of FND-manufactured water generators.
These records are public and available with little digging
5. OEM / white-label possibility
Finding:
FND advertises OEM/ODM manufacturing services for atmospheric water generators.
Source: [Acquarias Water — About Us]
Observation:
The documented relationship is consistent with a private-label/OEM business model, where:
A Chinese manufacturer produces equipment.
A U.S. company markets and sells the equipment under its own brand.
This business model is common and is not automatically improper. The key issue is whether marketing claims accurately describe the product’s origin and manufacturing process.
6. Additional evidence of non-US manufacturing:
Finding:
Documented evidence shows:
Aquaria is a U.S.-registered company.
Aquaria imports water generators from Shenzhen FND Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. in China.
FND describes itself as a manufacturer of atmospheric water generators.
FND (located in China) and Aquaria have a documented business relationship with Aquaria.
Aquaria most likely uses the carefully chosen words “Austin based“ company in its advertising in an attempt to mislead customers that its products have a US origin. They hold just short of lying.
Let the Buyer Be Aware!!!
Please share and like. I will continue to post more water related tips and findings as our thirsty world changes!
We all need water. I just don’t want mine made in China any more than I would give my child formula made in China.
I have been researching atmospheric water generators because I am interested in emerging water technologies and wanted to purchase a system made in the United States.
During my research, I found that many companies selling these products appear to be U.S.-based brands, while some manufacturing appears to occur overseas through OEM/private-label arrangements.
One example I researched is Aquaria Technologies, Inc.
Here is what I found from publicly available sources:
1. Aquaria Technologies, Inc. is a U.S.-registered company
Corporate records show Aquaria Technologies, Inc. is registered in Florida, with executives listed as Brian Sheng and Eric Sheng, and an Austin, Texas business address.
Source:
Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)
2. Import records show a relationship with a Chinese manufacturer
Public trade records identify Shenzhen FND Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. as a supplier to Aquaria Technologies Inc. for water generator products.
Sources:
ImportKey / Volza trade records
3. Shenzhen FND identifies itself as an atmospheric water generator manufacturer
FND’s own materials describe the company as a manufacturer of atmospheric water generation systems and advertise OEM/ODM capabilities.
Source:
Acquarias Water / FND Group
4. FND publicly identifies Aquaria as a U.S. partner/representative
This suggests a business relationship between the two companies.
Source:
Acquarias Water contact information
My question for the community:
Where is the line between a U.S.-based company selling imported products (which is common) and marketing that could create a misleading impression about where a product is manufactured?
Are there examples of FTC enforcement involving appliances, HVAC, water systems, or other products where consumers were given the impression that products were American-made when they were primarily imported?
I am interested in understanding the legal standard and how consumers can verify manufacturing claims.
I have long been fascinated with new and emerging technologies and water. But a new wave of interest is sweeping the US even as drought and water issues shock our nation. One answer to these problems could be water made from air. So, I put on my research hat, and went to work because I wanted to buy one.
Since I live in America’s heartland, I wanted a US Made product. But what I discovered was interesting and a little scary.
While only one company makes systems in the USA, many Chinese companies and manufacturers are trying to carefully pass off products built in China as US built or domestically produced — it’s not true.
One such company is Aquaria. I use them as one of the best marker examples of a China marketing and concealment effort designed to mislead unassuming US customers into thinking what they are purchasing is made in USA.
The total number of China white labels I counted with the help of my AI assistants is about 40 China brands selling in the USA.
[Sources: Aggregated from Chat GPT, google; and other in 2026]
Aquaria Technologies, Inc. — Evidence Summary:
1. U.S. corporate registration
Finding:
Aquaria Technologies, Inc. is registered as a “U.S. corporation.”
Corporate registration information shows:
Entity: Aquaria Technologies, Inc.
State of incorporation: Florida
Entity type: Profit Corporation
Filing date: May 23, 2024
CEO: Brian Sheng
COO: Eric Sheng
Principal business address:
600 Congress Ave.
Austin, Texas 78701
Registered agent:
Brian Sheng
Orlando, Florida
Source: [Florida Division of Corporations — Sunbiz.org]
Observation:
Aquaria is a U.S.-registered company. However, U.S. incorporation does not establish that the products sold by the company are manufactured in the United States. Their website claims to be an Austin based US company. True, but their products are not made in USA.
2. Evidence of Chinese manufacturing relationship
Finding:
Public trade records identify Shenzhen FND Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. as a supplier to Aquaria Technologies Inc.
These records indicate Aquaria imports atmospheric water generation equipment from a Chinese manufacturer on a routine and ongoing basis.
3. Shenzhen FND identifies itself as a Chinese manufacturer of atmospheric water generators
Finding:
Shenzhen FND Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. describes itself as an air and water technology company involved in:
research and development,
production,
sales,
installation,
service of atmospheric water generators.
The company identifies its operations in Shenzhen, China and promotes atmospheric water generator products and OEM/ODM capabilities.
Source: [Acquarias Water / FND Group]
Observation:
FND is not merely a trading company; it presents itself as a manufacturer capable of producing atmospheric water generation equipment.
4. Evidence of an Aquaria–FND business relationship
Finding:
FND publicly identifies Aquaria Technologies, Inc. as an American partner/representative. This information is current as of July 2026.
Source: [Acquarias Water (China) — Contact Information - America]
Observation:
The China relationship or connection is supported from both sides:
FND identifies Aquaria as its U.S. partner.
Import records identify Aquaria as a buyer of FND-manufactured water generators.
These records are public and available with little digging
5. OEM / white-label possibility
Finding:
FND advertises OEM/ODM manufacturing services for atmospheric water generators.
Source: [Acquarias Water — About Us]
Observation:
The documented relationship is consistent with a private-label/OEM business model, where:
A Chinese manufacturer produces equipment.
A U.S. company markets and sells the equipment under its own brand.
This business model is common and is not automatically improper. The key issue is whether marketing claims accurately describe the product’s origin and manufacturing process.
6. Additional evidence of non-US manufacturing:
Finding:
Documented evidence shows:
Aquaria is a U.S.-registered company.
Aquaria imports water generators from Shenzhen FND Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. in China.
FND describes itself as a manufacturer of atmospheric water generators.
FND (located in China) and Aquaria have a documented business relationship with Aquaria.
Aquaria most likely uses the carefully chosen words “Austin based“ company in its advertising in an attempt to mislead customers that its products have a US origin. They hold just short of lying.
Let the Buyer Be Aware!!!
Please share and like. I will continue to post more water related tips and findings as our thirsty world changes!
We all need water. I just don’t want mine made in China any more than I would give my child formula made in China.
I've regretted buying the Crinacle Salnotes Zero:2 "Over Ear" earphones, not only because they were Chinese, but their extreme cost reduction also lead to making one of the worst cables imaginable by excluding the strain relief, which is very useful for avoiding metal fatigue. It broke in 2 weeks, served as the best example for "buy cheap, pay double" saying. So after a long search, I've finally found this product:
there is a cheaper option for €33, you can easily find it here, I'm sure
They also miss a detail where the 2-pin measurement is at 0.78 mm. I've sent a German review in order to try and help with that (needs to pass moderation first).
-----
going bit off-topic, maybe deserves its own post, maybe even pinned:
I hope this is somehow helpful, for anyone struggling with a similar if not the same situation as mine. I've otherwise seen *apparently* Taiwanese cables which were WAY more expensive.
Buying *used* products from private sellers are otherwise, for any product your best alternative, including chinese products, since you don't finance CCP anymore but as long as the criteria of seller being *private* meets.
I want stay-at-home shorts for the summer, as lightweight as possible. Found ones by Joma, the Drive model ones are perfect for this but they are made in China. It's a shame. Another classic brand capitulating. I am almost about to and buy more of these shorts because they are frankly damn comfy and I don't want to gamble with buying others of the wrong size and material, but im just asking here if anyone knows any similar ones.
Those Toy Story 5 cereal trading cards are "made in Spain" & one of my Niformation ONE PIECE stickers are "made in Japan" & I'm avoiding future products that are "made in China" & I'm disappointed that those "STEEL BALL RUN" notebooks from the "一番くじ (Ichiban Kuji)" champaign in Japan are "made in China" so I'm avoiding them at all costs
