German Media WAZ Reports on Customs Inspection at InterTabac fair

Sep.23.2024
German Media WAZ Reports on Customs Inspection at InterTabac fair
German customs officials seized products at InterTabac trade show in Dortmund due to oversized e-cigarette containers, reports WAZ.

According to a recent report from the German media WAZ, customs officials in Dortmund once again conducted inspections of businesses at the InterTabac trade show at the Westfalenhallen exhibition center. So far, products from three booths have been confiscated.


On Thursday afternoon (September 19), customs officials arrived at the Westfalen Exhibition Center to inspect the products provided by merchants. They found issues at five booths and confiscated some products at three of them. The problem this time was not with untaxed goods, but with e-cigarette containers that were too large. According to the customs agency report, these devices had not been approved for the German market.


It has been reported that last year at the InterTabac tobacco trade fair in Dortmund, customs officials found untaxed goods at the booths of 14 vendors. This discovery has prompted investigators to conduct a thorough inspection again this year. During the first day of the inspection, several issues were indeed uncovered.


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

DOJ Trade Fraud Task Force Tops $1 Billion in Cases, Putting Vape Supply Chains at Risk of Fraud Enforcement
DOJ Trade Fraud Task Force Tops $1 Billion in Cases, Putting Vape Supply Chains at Risk of Fraud Enforcement
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Fox News and other reports, the DOJ’s Trade Fraud Task Force (TFTF) has been linked to more than $1 billion in recoveries, penalties, forfeitures and publicly charged losses in less than one year. The task force focuses on trade fraud issues including country-of-origin fraud, illegal transshipment, false declarations and tariff evasion. While vape products are not the main source of the $1 billion figure, the industry’s reliance on global manufacturing and cross-border supply chains places it within broader U.S. trade enforcement scrutiny. The development suggests that U.S. oversight of cross-border vape products may increasingly extend beyond product authorization into import compliance, supply-chain transparency and corporate accountability.
Jul.23
Ohio Supreme Court Weighs Whether State Consumer Law Can Restrict Flavored Vape Sales
Ohio Supreme Court Weighs Whether State Consumer Law Can Restrict Flavored Vape Sales
The Ohio Supreme Court is hearing a case involving flavored vape sales and whether state authorities can use consumer protection laws to take action against retailers selling unauthorized vape products. Ohio officials argue that selling unauthorized flavored vapes may constitute consumer deception, while retailers argue that tobacco product regulation falls under federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority and that states cannot impose additional restrictions through consumer laws. The case could affect the scope of state-level vape regulation across the United States.
Aug.06
2Firsts Data | China’s U.S. Vape Exports Have Yet to Regain Previous Growth Momentum in H1 2026, but Hardware Grew 15.2% and 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Rose 234.7%
2Firsts Data | China’s U.S. Vape Exports Have Yet to Regain Previous Growth Momentum in H1 2026, but Hardware Grew 15.2% and 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Rose 234.7%
China’s vape exports to the U.S. reached approximately $1.58 billion in the first half of 2026, remaining broadly stable from a year earlier but still below previous growth momentum. 2Firsts’ analysis of China Customs data shows that the U.S. market has not simply returned to its previous trajectory after the enforcement shock and inventory-driven swings of 2025. Instead, export momentum is shifting across product categories. Vaping devices and atomization hardware increased 15.2% year over year, while 6-methyl nicotine-related and other nicotine substitute products surged 234.7%. Meanwhile, traditional nicotine-containing vaping products continued to face pressure.
Jul.22
Kantar Study Finds More Than 93% of Vape Products in Ukraine Fail Regulatory Requirements
Kantar Study Finds More Than 93% of Vape Products in Ukraine Fail Regulatory Requirements
According to Interfax-Ukraine, a study conducted by market research firm Kantar Ukraine at the request of major tobacco companies found that more than 93% of vape products in Ukraine did not fully comply with regulatory requirements. The research examined product categories, brand distribution and consumer purchasing channels, showing that pod systems and disposable vapes represent major segments of the market, while offline retail remains the dominant purchasing channel. The findings highlight ongoing compliance challenges in Ukraine’s vape market.
Aug.26
From a 2017 Launch to 48% of South Korea’s Heated Tobacco Market, KT&G Looks Back on a Decade of lil
From a 2017 Launch to 48% of South Korea’s Heated Tobacco Market, KT&G Looks Back on a Decade of lil
KT&G announced on Aug. 13, 2026, that it has opened “lil Archive,” a brand exhibition space in Seoul showcasing the evolution, technology platforms and future direction of its heated tobacco brand lil since its launch in 2017. KT&G said lil now spans three major platforms — lil SOLID, lil HYBRID and lil AIBLE — with more than 30 dedicated consumables, and held a 48% share of South Korea's heated tobacco market in the second quarter of 2026. The opening comes as lil enters its 10th year, with KT&G continuing to position the brand for expansion beyond its domestic market.
Aug.14
UK PM Andy Burnham Reshapes Vape Retail Rules as Licensing Could Raise Barriers for New Shops
UK PM Andy Burnham Reshapes Vape Retail Rules as Licensing Could Raise Barriers for New Shops
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pushing a high street reform agenda that could give local authorities greater powers over commercial activity, including vape retail. The reforms could involve expanded planning powers and a potential vape retail licensing system, allowing councils to play a larger role in store locations and market access. The measures are part of the UK’s broader shift toward tighter vape regulation, although no nationwide vape retail restrictions have yet been implemented.
Aug.11