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

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
Couche-Tard Posts Double-Digit U.S. Same-Store Growth in Other Nicotine Products, Led by Pouches
Couche-Tard Posts Double-Digit U.S. Same-Store Growth in Other Nicotine Products, Led by Pouches
Alimentation Couche-Tard said U.S. same-store sales in its “other nicotine products” category grew at a double-digit rate in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, led by nicotine pouches, while overall U.S. same-store merchandise revenues increased 1.7%. The company also said its Canadian nicotine business continued to face regulatory pressure and illicit-market headwinds. The U.S. performance coincides with Couche-Tard's participation in efforts to reopen Canadian convenience-store access to authorized nicotine pouches, though the company has not established a direct causal link between the two.
Sep.14
U.S. Expands Illicit Vape Enforcement as ATF Brings PACT Act Powers Into Trade Fraud Task Force
U.S. Expands Illicit Vape Enforcement as ATF Brings PACT Act Powers Into Trade Fraud Task Force
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said on September 23 that it has joined the interagency Trade Fraud Task Force to strengthen enforcement against illegal, misdeclared and smuggled vape and tobacco products. ATF will bring its authority under the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act into the task force, including registration, reporting, shipping and record-inspection requirements covering interstate sales of electronic nicotine delivery systems. ATF said the move will strengthen its ability to trace illicit products from U.S. points of entry through domestic trafficking and distribution networks.
News
Sep.28 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Australia’s Victoria Steps Up Illegal Tobacco Enforcement With Store Closures and Penalties of Up to A$2.5 Million
Australia’s Victoria Steps Up Illegal Tobacco Enforcement With Store Closures and Penalties of Up to A$2.5 Million
Australia’s state of Victoria has activated new powers allowing Tobacco Licensing Victoria and police to shut premises suspected of selling, supplying or possessing illicit tobacco for up to 90 days. Longer closures can be ordered by a magistrates’ court. Businesses subject to closure orders must generally cease all trading and will be placed on a public list. Breaching a closure order can carry penalties of up to A$2.5 million and 20 years in prison.
Sep.10
Italy Proposes Earlier Vape and HTP Tax Hikes, New Rules for E-Liquid Pricing, Exclusive Deals and Distribution
Italy Proposes Earlier Vape and HTP Tax Hikes, New Rules for E-Liquid Pricing, Exclusive Deals and Distribution
Italy's proposed 2027–2029 budget would bring forward scheduled tax increases for e-cigarette liquids and heated tobacco products from January 1, 2028, to July 1, 2027. The consumption tax coefficient for nicotine-containing e-liquids would rise from 20% to 22%, that for nicotine-free liquids and applicable flavorings from 15% to 17%, and the heated-tobacco coefficient from 41% to 42%. The bill would also introduce official retail price schedules for e-liquids, restrict exclusive agreements between retailers and suppliers, and limit single-brand-dominated displays, sales incentives and bundled offers. Importing, authorized warehousing and retailer sourcing arrangements would also change. The proposals remain subject to parliamentary approval and subsequent implementing regulations.
Regulations
Nov.04
German Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 10.8% Through August as Tax-Paid Cigarette Volume Drops 12.6%
German Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 10.8% Through August as Tax-Paid Cigarette Volume Drops 12.6%
Germany collected €9.789 billion in total tobacco tax revenue from January through August 2026, down 10.8% from a year earlier, according to the Federal Ministry of Finance. Germany's tobacco tax base covers not only cigarettes and fine-cut tobacco but also heated tobacco and vaping liquids taxed as tobacco substitutes. The German Association of the Tobacco Industry and Novel Products, or BVTE, citing federal statistical data, said tax-paid cigarette volume fell 12.6% to 40.6 billion sticks. BVTE is using the latest figures to argue against further tax increases planned from 2027 through 2030, while Germany's parliament is scheduled to hold a first reading of the bill on September 24.
Sep.23