Kazakhstan Customs Seizes 155.8 Tons of E-cigarettes Worth 13.6 Million USD

News by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jul.04.2023
Kazakhstan Customs Seizes 155.8 Tons of E-cigarettes Worth 13.6 Million USD
Kazakhstan customs in Aktobe discovered and seized 155.8 tons of illegal e-cigarettes and accessories worth 6.1 billion tenge (18.4 million USD).

On July 3rd, according to a report by Kazakhstan media outlet Turantimes, officials from the Zetisu Customs, located on the border with China, seized a total of 155.8 tons of e-cigarettes and related accessories, valued at 6.1 billion tenge (approximately 13.6 million USD). The Zetisu Customs, in collaboration with officials from the Ministry of Economy, conducted inspections of goods and vehicles at the Alakur checkpoint, resulting in the discovery of a significant quantity of illegally imported disposable e-cigarettes, e-cigarette liquid, and e-cigarette accessories.

 

The Zetisu Customs stated that the confiscated goods and vehicles did not provide valid documentation and failed to declare the imported goods, which violates the relevant regulations in the customs field of the Eurasian Economic Union.

 

According to reports, a total of eight trucks entered the Alakol customs station in Kazakhstan from China between March 1 to 6, 2023.

 

According to Article 154 of the Customs Code of Kazakhstan, the carrier's failure to promptly notify the customs authorities of the arrival of goods and to submit the necessary documentation constitutes a violation of Articles 524 and 531 of the Administrative Code of Kazakhstan.

 

During customs inspection of goods and vehicles, a total weight of 155.8 tons of e-cigarettes and accessories was discovered. According to experts' assessment, the total value of the goods reached 6.1 billion tenge (13.6 million USD) and an estimated 1.9 billion Janko (4.25 million USD) in customs duty and taxes are expected to be paid.

 

According to on-site photos provided by the Zetisu Customs, the confiscated e-cigarettes were found to have packaging featuring logos of brands such as HQD and INFLAVE.

 

These seized items have been handed over to the Zetisu Regional Economic Investigation Department for further procedural action.

 

References: 【1】Электронные сигареты на 6 млрд тенге изъяли в Жетысу

 


Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Product | Summo 150K Introduces Refillable Design With Up to 150,000 Puffs, Exploring a New High-Capacity Vape Format
Product | Summo 150K Introduces Refillable Design With Up to 150,000 Puffs, Exploring a New High-Capacity Vape Format
Summo has introduced the Summo 150K Refillable Disposable Vape, entering the ultra-high-puff vape segment with a claimed capacity of up to 150,000 puffs. The device combines a 40ml dual e-liquid system, transparent tank design, dual mesh coils and a 900mAh rechargeable battery, using a refillable structure to differentiate itself from conventional disposable vapes. The product appeared on overseas online retail channels including Vapesourcing and VapeBarTime between late June and early July 2026.
Jul.22
Product | PMI Launches Airport-Exclusive IQOS Skylens Limited Edition, Expanding From Japan’s Narita to Travel Retail Markets in 13 Countries Summary
Product | PMI Launches Airport-Exclusive IQOS Skylens Limited Edition, Expanding From Japan’s Narita to Travel Retail Markets in 13 Countries Summary
Philip Morris International (PMI) has introduced the airport-exclusive limited-edition IQOS ILUMA i PRIME Skylens, the company’s first device created specifically for airport travel retail. Inspired by the world of flight and finished in metallic blue, Skylens debuted at Narita International Airport in Japan before expanding into selected airport duty-free and travel-retail channels across 13 countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The product retains the existing IQOS ILUMA i PRIME platform, with differentiation centered on airport exclusivity, design and travel-retail execution rather than a new heating architecture.
PMI
Aug.19
Imperial Brands Plans Thousands of Job Cuts Across U.S. and Europe in Cost Restructuring
Imperial Brands Plans Thousands of Job Cuts Across U.S. and Europe in Cost Restructuring
According to Reuters, citing Bloomberg News, British tobacco company Imperial Brands PLC plans to cut thousands of jobs across the United States and Europe as part of a cost reduction and organizational restructuring effort. The announcement drew market attention to the company’s shares. The move comes as global tobacco companies continue adjusting their operations amid slower cigarette market growth, changing consumer preferences and the transition toward next-generation nicotine products.
Aug.11
Nevada Considers Nearly Doubling Tobacco Taxes, With $65 Million in New Revenue Expected From Expanded Nicotine Levies
Nevada Considers Nearly Doubling Tobacco Taxes, With $65 Million in New Revenue Expected From Expanded Nicotine Levies
Health groups in Nevada are urging lawmakers to nearly double the state cigarette tax and extend similar tax changes to other nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
Jul.17
UK Councils Seize More Than 1.3 Million Non-Compliant Vapes One Year After Disposable Ban
UK Councils Seize More Than 1.3 Million Non-Compliant Vapes One Year After Disposable Ban
One year after the UK disposable vape ban came into force, local authorities continue to seize illegal and non-compliant vaping products. FOI data compiled by nicotine retailer Northerner shows more than 1.3 million products were seized between June 2025 and May 2026, with Bolton recording the highest number of seizures and Swansea reporting the highest estimated value.
Jul.21
Philip Morris Italia Invests €1 Million to Upgrade Retail Network, Supporting 45,000 Tobacco Shops in Smoke-Free Shift
Philip Morris Italia Invests €1 Million to Upgrade Retail Network, Supporting 45,000 Tobacco Shops in Smoke-Free Shift
Philip Morris Italia has launched the Trade Academy program, investing €1 million to provide training and development support for approximately 45,000 tobacco retailers in Italy. The initiative aims to strengthen retailers’ capabilities in heated tobacco products, digital tools and consumer services. The move reflects how nicotine companies are increasingly investing in retail networks and frontline capabilities as new nicotine products become more important in the market.
Jul.28