Babylon Vardex Group sues Moscow over vape taxes.

Sep.22.2022
Babylon Vardex Group sues Moscow over vape taxes.
Babylon Vardex Group is suing Moscow Arbitration Court over the alleged illegal conduct of the Central Consumption Tax.

Babylon Vardex Group, a distributor of electronic cigarettes, has filed a lawsuit with the Moscow Arbitration Court. They claim that the Central Excise Tax (CAT) is acting illegally by demanding that they pay a consumption tax on the liquid contained in the electronic cigarettes.


Artem Shevelin, the Chief Legal Officer of Babilon LLC, has clarified that aside from the consumption tax paid on devices, customs authorities also require a consumption tax to be paid on e-cigarette liquid. The specifics of the goods imported from 2020 to 2022 have not been disclosed. A preliminary hearing regarding the claim is scheduled to take place from September to October.


According to the China Association of Tobacco, all activities related to electronic cigarettes are legal. The Ministry of Finance also stated that consumption tax must be paid on e-cigarette liquid, whether sold individually or as part of a package.


Market experts added that pressure on market participants will only push them into the grey zone and make legal business unprofitable for suppliers and sellers. However, the current situation calls for interdepartmental meetings to discuss avoiding potential double taxation issues.


On August 9th, the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed to advance the label testing for nicotine liquids and electronic cigarettes and to initiate mandatory labeling for these products effective from November 1st, 2022.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry exchange and learning purposes only.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the article's content. The translation of this article is for industry communication and research purposes only.


Due to the limitations of the compiler's proficiency, the translated article may not accurately reflect the original text. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government on any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and international issues and positions.


Compiled information belongs to the original media and author, and if there is any infringement, please contact us for removal.


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.

German Environment Minister Backs Ban on Disposable E-Cigarettes, Citing Safety Risks
German Environment Minister Backs Ban on Disposable E-Cigarettes, Citing Safety Risks
Germany’s Environment Minister Carsten Schneider has expressed clear support for banning disposable e-cigarettes, citing safety hazards, environmental damage, and waste management risks. While the ban has not yet been finalized, Germany’s parliament has instructed the government to examine the proposal. Several European countries, including Belgium, France, and the UK, have already implemented similar bans.
Dec.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Police dismantle a network of 50+ stores selling unmarked nicotine products in the Moscow region
Police dismantle a network of 50+ stores selling unmarked nicotine products in the Moscow region
TASS reported that police dismantled a distribution network in the Moscow region selling nicotine-containing products, e-cigarettes and vapes without mandatory markings, with organizers earning more than 10 million rubles per month (more than about $130,000). Interior Ministry spokesperson Irina Volk said some items were labeled with counterfeit identification tools of the Chestny Znak system, while others had no codes.
Dec.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK South East Seized 3.1M Illegal Vapes Since 2021 as Crackdown Intensifies
UK South East Seized 3.1M Illegal Vapes Since 2021 as Crackdown Intensifies
Illegal vape seizures in the UK South East have risen sharply over the past five years, with 2023 marking the high point. While single-use vapes were banned from sale in June 2025, enforcement teams say disposable products remain in circulation, fueling renewed calls for licensing and stronger enforcement funding.
Jan.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Thailand’s Bangkok Police Bust Two Warehouses, Seize Over 100,000 Heated-Tobacco Items Worth $960,000
Thailand’s Bangkok Police Bust Two Warehouses, Seize Over 100,000 Heated-Tobacco Items Worth $960,000
Bangkok police said they raided two warehouse locations linked to an online distribution network for illicit vaping/heated-tobacco products, seizing IQOS ILUMA i devices and large quantities of TEREA sticks worth more than 30 million baht (about US$960,000). Three suspects described as administrators and caretakers were arrested, while investigators probe suspected smuggling routes and unpaid excise liabilities.
Feb.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Japan Tax Reform Threatens JTI Heated Tobacco Growth in 2026
Japan Tax Reform Threatens JTI Heated Tobacco Growth in 2026
Japan’s plan to remove the lower tax rate for heated tobacco products could slow growth in the country’s largest HTP market, JTI’s CFO said. Retail prices may rise by 70 to 100 yen, though the company plans phased increases to soften the impact.
JTI
Feb.15
FDA Says Flavored ENDS Must Show “Added Benefit” as Small Manufacturers Seek Clearer Switching Benchmarks
FDA Says Flavored ENDS Must Show “Added Benefit” as Small Manufacturers Seek Clearer Switching Benchmarks
During the FDA PMTA roundtable session on “Studies of Adult Benefit,” officials said flavored ENDS must demonstrate “added benefit” over tobacco-flavored products under the APPH standard, including sustained complete switching evidence. Small manufacturers questioned switching benchmarks, study duration, and bridging expectations.
Feb.11