Australian Border Force Seizes over 390,000 Illegal Disposables, Record High in This Year

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
May.27.2024
Australian Border Force Seizes over 390,000 Illegal Disposables, Record High in This Year
Australian Border Force intercepts over 390,000 e-cigarettes worth $12.4 million in Sydney, largest seizure since new laws enacted.

According to Australian media 9 News, in less than a week, the Australian Border Force (ABF) has intercepted nearly 400,000 disposable e-cigarettes entering Australia, with a total value exceeding $12.4 million Australian dollars ($8.22 million US dollars).

 

On Monday through Thursday, border security personnel conducting inspections on containers in Sydney discovered abnormal goods and confiscated nearly 400,000 e-cigarettes from three containers.

 

The Australian Border Force (ABF) reported on Monday that a total of 37,800 units of disposable e-cigarette products were found during a cargo inspection. Authorities also discovered a second container containing 18 pallets, with a total of 174,960 units of disposable e-cigarettes inside.

 

On Thursday, officials discovered 177,120 disposable e-cigarettes in the third container.

 

The total number of e-cigarettes seized in this operation reached 389,880, with an estimated black market value exceeding 12.4 million Australian dollars (8.22 million US dollars).

 

The Australian Border Force (ABF) has stated that the three shipping containers all originated from Asia. In a statement, the ABF said this was the largest interception of disposable e-cigarettes at the "border" since new laws targeting imported e-cigarette products came into effect in Australia on January 1st of this year. Asha Patwardhan, acting ABF Trade Commander, stated that border forces will continue to take strong proactive enforcement and interception measures to prioritize the health and safety of the Australian community.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

German Environment Minister Plans Bill to Ban Disposable E-Cigarettes This Year
German Environment Minister Plans Bill to Ban Disposable E-Cigarettes This Year
German Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider said he is preparing legislation to ban disposable e-cigarettes and will present a bill this year. Industry data estimated that legal e-cigarette sales in Germany rose by about one quarter in 2025 to €2.4 billion. Refillable devices are not expected to be affected by the ban.
May.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Moscow Police Seize About 65,000 E-Cigarettes Worth More Than RUB 30 Million
Moscow Police Seize About 65,000 E-Cigarettes Worth More Than RUB 30 Million
Russian Interior Ministry spokesperson Irina Volk said on May 6 that police in Moscow seized about 65,000 nicotine-containing products from a man during searches of residential and warehouse premises. The products were valued at about RUB 30 million, or about USD 395,727 based on an exchange rate of USD 1 = RUB 75.81.
May.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Tobacco Farming in the New Nicotine Era: Why Indian Farmers Struggle to Transition — Contributed by Samrat Chowdhery
Tobacco Farming in the New Nicotine Era: Why Indian Farmers Struggle to Transition — Contributed by Samrat Chowdhery
In this contributed article to 2Firsts, Mumbai-based journalist and harm reduction advocate Samrat Chowdhery examines India’s tobacco transition from the perspective of agriculture, supply chains and regulation. As noted by 2Firsts, India offers a relevant case for understanding how new nicotine technologies may affect not only consumption, trade and policy, but also tobacco farming.
Special Report
May.29
Glas Says FDA Scientific Review Backed Several Flavored Products Before Senior Leaders Blocked Them
Glas Says FDA Scientific Review Backed Several Flavored Products Before Senior Leaders Blocked Them
Glas says newly released internal FDA records show agency scientific reviewers supported authorization for several flavored G2 products before senior leadership halted them. According to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, FDA’s Office of Science first recommended marketing authorization for all eight products in December 2025 and later supported six of them in February 2026. FDA ultimately authorized only the G2 device and one tobacco-flavored pod in March.
Apr.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Special Report|Haypp’s Nicotine Pouch Volumes Rise 40%: Who Controls the Digital Shelf for Modern Oral?
Special Report|Haypp’s Nicotine Pouch Volumes Rise 40%: Who Controls the Digital Shelf for Modern Oral?
Haypp Group reported a 40% year-on-year increase in nicotine pouch volumes in the first quarter of 2026, with U.S. and U.K. volumes rising 123% and 102%, respectively. Haypp says around 97% of its consumer traffic is organic and that its Media & Insights business provides brand owners with on-site visibility, trial activation and consumer intelligence. For international tobacco companies, Haypp may be both a growth partner for modern oral products and a new source of channel leverage.
Special Report
May.22
Exclusive | China Starts Mandatory National Standards Process for Heated Cigarettes and Nicotine Pouches
Exclusive | China Starts Mandatory National Standards Process for Heated Cigarettes and Nicotine Pouches
China has launched mandatory national standards work for heated cigarettes and nicotine pouches, further formalizing regulation of both categories. The move may help lay groundwork for future market entry, but does not signal imminent domestic commercialization.
Apr.15