China Customs Seizes Over 265K Oral Nicotine Pouches; ‘ZYN’ and Unbranded Products Flagged for IP Violations

Key Points

· Total seizures (two cases): 265,140 boxes of oral nicotine pouches. China Ningbo Customs seized 255,740 boxes (“ZYN”: 212,960; unbranded: 42,780); China Huangpu Customs seized 9,400 boxes (all “ZYN”).

· Infringement & non-declaration: The China Ningbo Customs case involved undeclared, concealed goods; both cases involve suspected infringement of the “ZYN” trademark. In Ningbo, suspicion was identified after contacting the rightsholder; in Huangpu, the rightsholder confirmed the claim and requested Customs IP protection measures.

· Legal basis: Under Articles 44 and 91 of the Customs Law of the People’s Republic of China and the Regulations on Customs Protection of Intellectual Property Rights, infringing goods may be confiscated and fined; suspected crimes are subject to criminal liability.

· Regulatory classification: The tobacco authority has determined oral nicotine pouches are tobacco products. Exports require a Tobacco Monopoly transport permit and an export licence; concealment or evasion in export is illegal.

2Firsts, October 10, 2025 — According to China Customs on 3 October, China Ningbo Customs (Beilun) and China Huangpu Customs seized oral nicotine pouches during export inspections over suspected trademark infringement and non-declaration, totalling 265,140 boxes (222,360 “ZYN”-marked; 42,780 unbranded).

Case 1: China Ningbo Customs (Beilun) seizes 255,740 boxes

During inspection of a shipment declared as “party supplies,” officers found concealed, undeclared oral nicotine pouches—some bearing the “ZYN” mark, others unbranded.

After contacting the rightsholder, the “ZYN” pouches were deemed suspected of trademark infringement.

Count: 212,960 boxes of allegedly infringing “ZYN” pouches and 42,780 unbranded pouches, totaling 255,740 boxes.

Legal basis: Pursuant to Articles 44 and 91 of the Customs Law of the People’s Republic of China, customs protects IP related to import and export goods; goods that illegally infringe IP are subject to confiscation and fines; where a crime is constituted, criminal liability is pursued.

Sector oversight: As identified by the tobacco authority, oral nicotine pouches are tobacco products regulated by the Tobacco Monopoly Law of the People’s Republic of China and its implementing regulations. Concealing tobacco products for export is illegal; exporting tobacco products (including oral pouches) requires a Tobacco Monopoly transport permit from the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration and an export license.

Follow-up: The batch has been transferred for subsequent disposition.

Case 2: China Huangpu Customs seizes 9,400 boxes of infringing “ZYN” pouches

During X-ray inspection of a shipment declared as “wristbands,” officers noted anomalies and opened the boxes, finding 9,400 boxes of oral nicotine pouches bearing the “ZYN” trademark.

After the rightsholder confirmed infringement of a trademark recorded with the GACC, they applied for customs IP protection measures.

Legal basis: Under the Regulations on Customs Protection of Intellectual Property Rights, customs shall confiscate and fine goods that illegally infringe IP; where a crime is constituted, criminal liability is pursued.

Follow-up: The batch has been transferred for subsequent disposition.

Legal & Regulatory Notes (per customs and tobacco authorities)

IP protection: Customs enforces protection of trademarks and other rights at the border under the Customs Law and the Regulations on Customs Protection of Intellectual Property Rights; infringing goods are subject to confiscation and fines, and suspected crimes are handled according to law.

Tobacco monopoly oversight: Oral nicotine pouches are tobacco products; export requires a Tobacco Monopoly transport permit and an export license; concealment or other illicit export methods are punishable.

Cover image source: “Customs Release.”