CUSP Applauds Federal Seizure of Nearly $34 Million Worth of Illegal Vapes From China

On May 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced it seized nearly $34 million worth of illegal e-cigarette products earlier this year in February, almost all of which originated in China.

In the announcement, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. emphasized the agency’s commitment , “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.” 

CUSP applauds these enforcement actions to help protect the safety and security of communities across America by stopping the flow of illegal Chinese-made disposable vape products that are fueling the youth vaping epidemic. Nearly 90% of disposable vapes are made in Shenzhen, China, and most of them are candy-flavored to attract kids and young smokers.

In an interview earlier this month, Commissioner Makary addressed “port shopping” and the illegal tactics Chinese vape manufacturers are using to infiltrate American markets, telling FOX News, "That's going to stop in this administration." 

According to agency press releases, the Chicago seizure in February follows previous FDA-CBP joint actions, including:

• $18 million worth of illegal e-cigarettes at Los Angeles International Airport (2023)

• $7 million worth of illegal e-cigarettes seized at a Miami warehouse (2024)  

• More than $77 million worth of illegal e-cigarettes in 2024 operations

These staggering figures are a warning of just how many of these products are flowing into our borders undetected and why Commissioner Makary’s commitment is so critical to enforcement efforts at the local, state and national level.