U.S. FDA and Customs seize illegal e-cigarettes

Time： 2023-12-17

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), announced the seizure of approximately 1.4 million unauthorized e-cigarette products.

On December 14, U.S. time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in cooperation with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), announced that it had seized approximately 1.4 million unauthorized e-cigarette products, including ELFBAR and other brands. According to The 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey shows that ELFBAR is the most widely used brand among teen e-cigarette users. The retail value of the seized products exceeds $18 million. The operation, part of a three-day joint operation, resulted in the seizure of 41 consignments containing illegal e-cigarettes.

"The FDA is committed to continuing to curb the flow of illegal e-cigarettes into the United States," said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, Ph.D. "Unscrupulous companies will do whatever they can to bring unauthorized tobacco products that appeal to youth into the United States. Domestic. The FDA will remain vigilant and work with our federal partners to stop these products before they get into the hands of our nation’s youth.”

The FDA and CBP conducted a joint operation at a cargo inspection station at Los Angeles International Airport, where teams inspected imported shipments for possible violations.

In preparation for the three-day operation, the team spent months reviewing shipping invoices, identifying imports that may have violated regulations, and completing other investigative work that culminated in this successful operation. Once goods are confiscated to the government, they will be disposed of in accordance with the law; for unauthorized new tobacco products, this usually means they will be destroyed.

"This enforcement action is a prime example of CBP's commitment to keeping our communities safe and combating the importation of illegal goods," said CBP Special Agent in Charge Troy A. Miller. "The growth of illegal e-commerce requires our agencies to maintain Be vigilant about intercepting shipments that could pose serious risks to the health of the public, especially young people, and disrupting the supply chains that bring them to our borders."

While inspecting the shipments, the team discovered various brands of illegal flavored disposable e-cigarette products, all originating from China. According to the recently released 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) data, disposable e-cigarettes are the most widely used type of e-cigarette among American teenagers, and nearly 90% (89.4%) of current e-cigarette users use flavored e-cigarettes. Fruit flavors are the most popular, followed by candy, pastry or other sweet treats; mint; and menthol.

In addition to ELFBAR, the seized e-cigarettes also included EB Create products; earlier this year, the manufacturer of ELFBAR began marketing the product under the names "EB Design" and "EB Create". Other seized brands include Lost Mary, Funky Republic, RELX Pod and IPLAY Max.

To evade taxes and detection, many of these unauthorized e-cigarettes are deliberately declared as various items, such as toys or shoes, and listed with incorrect values.

Dr. Brian King, director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, said: "Those brazenly seeking to smuggle illegal e-cigarettes, especially those that appeal to youth, into this country should take note of today's announcement. The federal agency is aware They will take action without hesitation. The significant value of these seized products also serves as a reminder to these criminals that their time and money are better spent complying with the law."

FDA takes a comprehensive approach to ensuring tobacco product compliance and enforcement, taking action against parties in the supply chain that violate the law, including manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers, as described in today's announcement of targeted Sexual action. The FDA also regularly addresses the importation of illegal e-cigarettes by placing certain companies on the FDA Import Alert Red List, which detains products without a full inspection upon entry.

For example, in May, the FDA redlisted certain companies associated with unauthorized e-cigarettes that appeal to youth, including those associated with the ELFBAR brand.

As of December 2023, the FDA has authorized 23 tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products and devices to be legally sold in the United States. The distribution and/or sale of unauthorized new tobacco products is subject to compliance and enforcement actions.

As of December 2023, the FDA has issued more than 650 warning letters to companies that manufacture, sell and/or distribute new tobacco products that lack FDA authorization, including flavored disposable e-cigarettes and brands popular with teens.

The FDA also filed civil penalty complaints against 38 e-cigarette manufacturers and 67 retailers, and filed permanent injunction proceedings against 7 companies for illegally selling e-cigarettes. FDA will continue to take appropriate action against those who manufacture, distribute, import and/or sell unauthorized e-cigarette products, especially those products that most appeal to youth.

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