WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in cooperation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), seized nearly two million units of unauthorized e-cigarette products in Chicago, valued at approximately $33.8 million. The operation, conducted in February 2025, was part of a federal effort to prevent the illegal importation and distribution of e-cigarettes in the United States.
The intercepted shipments, originating primarily from China and destined for U.S. states, included unapproved e-cigarette brands such as Snoopy Smoke and Raz. Many shipments were deliberately mislabeled to avoid scrutiny and duties. Bret Koplow, Ph.D., J.D., Acting Director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, emphasized, “We continue to see an increased number of shipments of vaping-related products packaged and mislabeled to avoid detection.”
The seized products violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), as they lacked FDA-required premarket authorization. Some infringed Intellectual Property Rights by using protected trademarks without 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,” stated FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H.
Additionally, the FDA and CBP issued informational letters to 24 importers and entry filers tied to the shipments, warning them about federal crimes associated with false import declarations. Those contacted must respond within 30 days, detailing steps taken to comply with federal regulations.
This operation reflects an ongoing federal initiative targeting unauthorized e-cigarette products. Past actions include similar seizures in Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago, with confiscated goods totaling over $100 million in value. To date, the FDA has issued more than 750 warning letters to manufacturers and over 800 to retailers in its broader enforcement campaign.
Seized e-cigarette products will be destroyed in accordance with federal laws, further spotlighting the FDA’s efforts to protect public health and combat illegal tobacco product distribution.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.