409,000 Packs of Untaxed Cigarettes Seized in Russia

Apr.04.2023
409,000 Packs of Untaxed Cigarettes Seized in Russia
Russian officials seized 409,000 untaxed packs of Belarusian cigarettes, worth $4.6 million, disguised as cherry shipments.

Customs officials and federal security service border control personnel in Smolensk, Russia, have seized 409,000 packs of Belarusian cigarettes without tax stamps. The detained goods are estimated to be worth 46 million rubles (approximately 4 million yuan).


Rustam Yakupov, head of the Smolensk Customs Office, stated that a truck travelling from Belarus to Moscow was intercepted in the Kruglovo region of Smolensk. According to documents, the truck was loaded with 20 tons of Chinese frozen cherry without pits, but custom officials discovered large quantities of illegal cigarettes in some of the boxes.


Since the mandatory implementation of honest labeling on April 1st, there has been a growing variety of illegal tobacco transportation methods. Transporting unmarked tobacco products is considered an illegal activity, and those involved may face criminal charges under Article 171.1 of the Russian Criminal Code.


Reference:


Cigarettes disguised as cherries.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Exclusive | China Releases E-Cigarette Regulatory “Status Report”, First Comprehensive Disclosure of Oversight Framework and International Cooperation
Exclusive | China Releases E-Cigarette Regulatory “Status Report”, First Comprehensive Disclosure of Oversight Framework and International Cooperation
As 2025 draws to a close, China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration has released a white paper–style “Status Report” on e-cigarette regulation, systematically outlining its oversight framework, enforcement outcomes and international cooperation. 2Firsts provides exclusive in-depth reporting and analysis, offering insight into China’s regulatory logic and governance direction.
Dec.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
EUIPO Rejects Imiracle’s Opposition to ‘Crystal’ Trademark, Citing Lack of Proof of Actual Use in Slovakia
EUIPO Rejects Imiracle’s Opposition to ‘Crystal’ Trademark, Citing Lack of Proof of Actual Use in Slovakia
The EUIPO has ruled that Imiracle failed to demonstrate actual commercial use of its “Elfbar Crystal” brand in Slovakia, and therefore rejected in full the company’s opposition to Shenzhen SKE Technology’s application to register the “Crystal” trademark. The EUIPO noted that the sales records submitted by Imiracle were limited in scope and that the product packaging was in Ukrainian, which it found insufficient to prove that the products had been placed on the Slovak market.
Dec.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine: counterfeit nicotine mixes and e-cigarette e-liquids seized, valued at over US$276,000
Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine: counterfeit nicotine mixes and e-cigarette e-liquids seized, valued at over US$276,000
According to UNN, law enforcement in Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi region disrupted a group accused of selling illegally produced nicotine-containing mixtures and e-cigarette e-liquids without licenses or permits. The Prosecutor General’s Office said the overall value of the seized items exceeds UAH 12 million (about US$276,000). Motions were filed to arrest the seized property, and decisions are pending on necessary forensic examinations. (FX used: 1 UAH = US$0.023, as provided by the user.)
Jan.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
 Breaking News | FDA Adds on! Plus Nicotine Pouches to PMTA-Authorized List
Breaking News | FDA Adds on! Plus Nicotine Pouches to PMTA-Authorized List
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has added ON! Plus nicotine pouch products to its list of authorized products, disclosing that the brand has received Marketing Granted Orders (MGO) through the Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) pathway. The update makes on! Plus the second nicotine pouch brand authorized via PMTA, following ZYN. As of publication, the FDA had not issued a separate press release on the decision.
News
Dec.20
Russia’s St. Petersburg Sets Up Working Group to Consider Citywide Vape Sales Ban
Russia’s St. Petersburg Sets Up Working Group to Consider Citywide Vape Sales Ban
Russia’s St. Petersburg legislature has formed a working group to explore tougher controls on vape trade and sales, including the option of a citywide sales ban. The group is set to convene on Jan. 26 with participation from lawmakers, civil society and law enforcement. The move comes as Russia’s federal authorities continue to debate legislation that could allow regions to impose their own restrictions on vapes.
Jan.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Uruguay Lawmaker Proposes Ban on Smoking and Vaping in Playgrounds and Bus Stops
Uruguay Lawmaker Proposes Ban on Smoking and Vaping in Playgrounds and Bus Stops
A bill introduced by Uruguayan lawmaker Álvaro Dastugue proposes banning smoking and vaping in public spaces that include children’s play areas, as well as at bus stops and nearby waiting zones. The draft legislation aims to reduce involuntary exposure to smoke and aerosols from tobacco, marijuana and electronic vaping devices.
Dec.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai