Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), seized nearly two million units of unauthorized e-cigarette products at the Chicago port of entry. The seized shipments are estimated to be worth approximately $33.8 million.
The confiscated goods, primarily originating from China and destined for various U.S. states, featured brands such as Snoopy Smoke and Raz—products not authorized for sale under federal law. Many of the shipments were deliberately mislabeled to avoid regulatory scrutiny and import duties, according to federal officials.
“We continue to see an increased number of shipments of vaping-related products packaged and mislabeled to avoid detection,” said Dr. Bret Koplow, Acting Director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products.
The FDA confirmed that the seized items violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), as they had not received the agency’s required premarket authorization. Additionally, some products infringed on Intellectual Property Rights, using trademarked branding without proper authorization.
“The FDA, working with our federal partners, can and will do more to stop the illegal importation and distribution of e-cigarette products in the United States,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary.
Following the seizure, the FDA and CBP issued informational letters to 24 importers and entry filers linked to the intercepted shipments. The letters warned of potential federal penalties for false import declarations and demanded that recipients respond within 30 days, outlining corrective actions taken to comply with federal law.
This enforcement is part of a broader, ongoing federal initiative aimed at curbing the flow of unauthorized vaping products into the U.S. Previous operations have taken place in Los Angeles, Miami, and other ports, bringing the total value of seized e-cigarette goods to over $100 million.
Since the beginning of its enforcement campaign, the FDA has issued more than 750 warning letters to manufacturers and over 800 to retailers for selling or distributing unauthorized tobacco products.
All seized products will be destroyed in accordance with federal regulations, underscoring the FDA’s continued commitment to protecting public health and cracking down on illegal tobacco distribution.
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