Illegal E-cigarette Worth 2.5 Million Hryvnia Seized by Ukrainian Customs

Nov.01.2023
Illegal E-cigarette Worth 2.5 Million Hryvnia Seized by Ukrainian Customs
Ukrainian customs officials seize illegal e-cigarettes worth 2.5 million hryvnia from vehicles crossing from Poland.

According to Ukrainian media Маргарита Пашкова on the evening of October 30th, customs officials in the Lviv region of Ukraine discovered illegal e-cigarettes worth 2.5 million hryvnia (approximately 500,000 yuan) during the inspection of two minibuses and an SUV. These vehicles entered the country from Poland, attempting to use the "green corridor" and claiming that there were no goods requiring customs declaration or taxation on board.


However, upon closer inspection, it was discovered that one vehicle was carrying 2250 flavored e-cigarettes, another vehicle contained 816 flavored e-cigarettes, and the remaining SUV concealed 1230 flavored e-cigarettes.


All three drivers are residents of the Lviv region and are facing penalties under Article 471, Section 3 of Ukrainian Customs Law: failure to declare goods prohibited or restricted by law for importation may result in a fine equivalent to 300 times the minimum taxable income, and may also lead to seizure of the goods.


Currently, these confiscated undeclared e-cigarettes have been temporarily detained and will be subjected to specific penalties in accordance with Ukrainian customs laws.


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

Product | JT Refreshes Ploom CUBE Design and Expands Japan Retail Distribution, Targeting Younger Men and Female Users
Product | JT Refreshes Ploom CUBE Design and Expands Japan Retail Distribution, Targeting Younger Men and Female Users
Japan Tobacco (JT) launched a refreshed Ploom CUBE design in Japan on September 8, 2026, with broader convenience-store and tobacco-retail distribution planned from October 13. The updated device retains the existing Rounded Cube form and heating platform while replacing four previous body colors with Pebble White and Cobalt Black. JT is also introducing new Front Panels and Fabric Back Covers, although the new accessories are not compatible with the previous Ploom CUBE design. The company says the update is intended to broaden appeal among younger male and female users.
Sep.09
Kelly White Bets on Female Consumers as Nicotine Pouch Competition Intensifies | 2Firsts Interview
Kelly White Bets on Female Consumers as Nicotine Pouch Competition Intensifies | 2Firsts Interview
Swedish nicotine pouch brand Kelly White is building its strategy around adult female consumers. Founder and CEO Sophia Wilsby told 2Firsts that women accounted for around 70% of the brand’s repeat customers on HAYPP in Sweden in 2025. The interview explores female consumer segmentation, product and design differentiation, gender stereotypes, packaging regulation, and how independent brands can compete with global players such as ZYN and VELO while considering funding, partnerships and future ownership options.
Business
Sep.24
Spain Cigarette Volumes Fall 5.2% in August, BAT Drops 14.5%, JTI Gains Share; France Down 8.3% on Adjusted Basis
Spain Cigarette Volumes Fall 5.2% in August, BAT Drops 14.5%, JTI Gains Share; France Down 8.3% on Adjusted Basis
Spain's cigarette volumes declined 5.2% year over year in August 2026, according to government data cited by UBS and reported by Investing.com on October 7. British American Tobacco's volumes fell 14.5%, followed by Imperial Brands at 8.8%, Philip Morris International at 6.6% and Japan Tobacco at 4.6%. JTI was the only one of the four companies to gain cigarette market share, rising six basis points to 26.7%. In France, official customs data showed an unadjusted 3.7% decline in cigarette deliveries. Adjusting for the difference in delivery days produces a decline of approximately 8.3%, consistent with the UBS figure. The bank also estimated the earnings exposure of major tobacco companies to both markets.
Market
Oct.13
U.S. Customs Plan to Require Foreign Export Declarations Could Deal ‘Devastating’ Blow to China’s Vape Exports, Logistics gl Expert Says
U.S. Customs Plan to Require Foreign Export Declarations Could Deal ‘Devastating’ Blow to China’s Vape Exports, Logistics gl Expert Says
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection proposal to collect foreign export declarations and other overseas customs documents could expose discrepancies in the value, classification and description of China-made vape shipments entering the United States. A veteran Chinese logistics professional told 2Firsts that the measure, if implemented, could undermine the all-inclusive shipping model used by some unauthorized vape exporters and push parts of the trade toward costlier underground channels. The risk extends beyond higher duties: accurately declared products may also be more readily identified as unauthorized e-cigarettes subject to FDA enforcement.
Special Report
Sep.07
RLX Technology Dropped From FTSE All-World as International Business Reaches 68.5% of Q2 Revenue
RLX Technology Dropped From FTSE All-World as International Business Reaches 68.5% of Q2 Revenue
RLX Technology (NYSE: RLX) has been removed from the FTSE All-World Index, effective September 21. FTSE Russell records show RLX was already part of its global equity index universe by 2022, when its American depositary receipts were classified as China Large Cap securities. Trading volume rose to about 44.77 million shares on September 18, roughly 23 times the previous session's volume. RLX reported RMB1.0105 billion in second-quarter revenue, up 14.8% year over year, with international operations contributing 68.5%. The company also acquired a 51% stake in one of Western Europe's largest distributors of next-generation smoke-free and FMCG products in July.
Sep.22
How Large Is France’s Off-Channel Tobacco Market? Logista Says It Has Become Structural, While the Official Estimate Is 17.7% and Some Industry Studies Put It Above 50%
How Large Is France’s Off-Channel Tobacco Market? Logista Says It Has Become Structural, While the Official Estimate Is 17.7% and Some Industry Studies Put It Above 50%
Logista France says tobacco consumption outside France’s official tobacconist network has become a large and structural market phenomenon, but official and industry estimates differ sharply. France’s TAFE study estimates that 17.7% of tobacco consumption escaped domestic taxation in 2023, with most of that volume attributed to cross-border purchasing rather than street sales. Some industry studies use broader off-channel definitions and put the figure above 50%. Meanwhile, French Customs seized 547.94 tonnes of tobacco in 2025, up 12%, showing continued pressure from illicit trade.
Sep.04