The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), seized 4.7 million units of unauthorized e-cigarette products valued at $86.5 million this week—“the largest-ever seizure of this kind.”
The FDA said the seizures were part of a joint federal operation in Chicago to examine incoming shipments and prevent illicit e-cigarettes from entering the country.
“Almost all the illegal shipments uncovered by the operation originated in China. FDA and CBP personnel determined that many of these shipments contained vague and misleading product descriptions with incorrect values, in an apparent attempt to evade duties and the review of products for import safety concerns,” FDA said.
The enforcement action is part of the FDA’s broader aggressive strategy against illicit vapes, it said. Additional activities include ending the practice of “port shopping,” by which illegal products repeatedly try to enter the United States; addressing the distribution networks of illegal e-cigarette products; and working with store owners nationwide to prevent the sale of illegal products.
“The FDA and our federal partners are taking strong actions to shore up America’s borders and stop the flow of illegal vaping products into our country,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. “Americans—especially our children—should not be using potentially dangerous, addicting products that have been snuck into the U.S. If a product has not been authorized by the FDA, CBP will seize, detain or destroy it.”
FDA and CBP said they have stopped more than 6 million unauthorized e-cigarettes worth over $120 million from entering the country overall this year.
For information and resources on nicotine and tobacco, click here.