CBP Officers Intercept Over 165,000 Illicit Vaping Products

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers stationed in Minneapolis-St. Paul have successfully intercepted a significant quantity of illicit vaping products, totaling over 165,000 items. These shipments, which originated in China and were en route to a California-based wholesaler, were found to be in violation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The seizure highlights ongoing efforts to prevent the distribution of unauthorized and potentially harmful consumer goods entering the United States.

The operation was initiated following intelligence provided by the Chicago Field Office. Upon inspection, CBP officers discovered both Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and a substantial number of refill cartridges. In total, the seizure encompassed approximately 90,000 ENDS devices and 75,000 refill cartridges. Officials from CBP and the FDA determined that these products could not be legally marketed or distributed within the U.S. due to a lack of required FDA marketing authorization, as well as being classified as adulterated and misbranded. The seized products included various flavors such as Blue Razz, Iced Lush, Blue Lightning, Gum Mint, Turkish Tobacco, and Classic Tobacco. If they had reached the market, these vaping products would have had an estimated Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price exceeding $1.47 million.

This action underscores CBP’s commitment to intercepting products that pose a risk to public health and safety. The agency emphasizes that consumers should be aware of the import regulations for e-commerce goods. CBP advises individuals to confirm that their purchases and their importation comply with both state and federal import laws. This recent seizure is part of a broader effort by CBP and its partner agencies to combat the influx of unauthorized vaping products. Earlier in September, CBP in Chicago reported seizing nearly 4.7 million e-cigarettes. Additionally, the Justice Department and the FDA recently announced actions leading to the seizure of over 2.1 million illicit vaping products from distributors and retailers across seven states, targeting unauthorized flavored e-cigarettes.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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