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.

Juul Sublicense Reshapes Vuse Alto Patent Bill as Court Ends R.J. Reynolds’ 5.25% Royalty Obligation to Altria
Juul Sublicense Reshapes Vuse Alto Patent Bill as Court Ends R.J. Reynolds’ 5.25% Royalty Obligation to Altria
According to Law360 on August 31, 2026, a federal judge in North Carolina ruled that a patent sublicense between R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co. and Juul Labs Inc. relieves Reynolds of its obligation to continue paying royalties to Altria Client Services LLC over Vuse Alto. A jury had previously found that Vuse Alto infringed three Altria patents and awarded approximately $95.2 million in past damages, after which Reynolds was ordered to pay an ongoing royalty equal to 5.25% of positive net sales. The new ruling finds that a valid sublicense can eliminate future infringement, potentially ending what Altria described as hundreds of millions of dollars in future royalties.
Sep.01
Product | SKE Launches FRESA PRO in the U.S., Introducing Fresh Lock Technology for E-Liquid Management in High-Capacity Vapes
Product | SKE Launches FRESA PRO in the U.S., Introducing Fresh Lock Technology for E-Liquid Management in High-Capacity Vapes
Shenzhen SKE Technology has launched the FRESA PRO in the United States, a high-capacity rechargeable disposable vape featuring Fresh Lock electromagnetic valve supply control technology. The device combines a claimed capacity of up to 40,000 puffs, dual mesh coils, dual output modes and a transparent tank design. The launch reflects the high-capacity disposable vape segment’s shift from puff-count competition toward improved e-liquid management and device-level experience.
Aug.03
Product | IVG Launches NEXiO Prefilled Pod System, Expanding Beyond Disposable Vapes
Product | IVG Launches NEXiO Prefilled Pod System, Expanding Beyond Disposable Vapes
UK vape brand IVG has launched the NEXiO reusable prefilled pod system, expanding its product portfolio beyond disposable vape products. The device features a 1,000mAh rechargeable battery, prefilled pods with a refill reservoir structure and a claimed capacity of up to 10,000 puffs. Officially launched in the UK on July 9, 2026, NEXiO debuted with 17 flavor options, reflecting IVG’s move into reusable pod formats.
Aug.19
PMI Global Communications Chief Moira Gilchrist: Why AI Matters More Than Ever in the Smoke-Free Transition
PMI Global Communications Chief Moira Gilchrist: Why AI Matters More Than Ever in the Smoke-Free Transition
Philip Morris International (PMI) Chief Global Communications Officer Moira Gilchrist said artificial intelligence is changing how companies understand audiences, manage owned information channels and communicate business transformation. PMI is using AI-generated audience personas to test messaging while optimizing its corporate website and other owned channels for large language models. As PMI continues its transition from cigarettes toward smoke-free products, Gilchrist said owned data and corporate channels are becoming increasingly important in demonstrating the scale of that transformation.
Aug.26
BAT CFO Dragos Constantinescu Takes Office, Returning After Seven Years and Former Asahi Europe Leadership Role
BAT CFO Dragos Constantinescu Takes Office, Returning After Seven Years and Former Asahi Europe Leadership Role
Dragos Constantinescu has officially taken up his role as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director at British American Tobacco (BAT). He previously spent 16 years at BAT across finance and general management roles in Europe before joining Asahi in 2019 and becoming CEO of Asahi Europe & International in 2025. His return comes as BAT continues to advance its “A Better Tomorrow” transformation.
BAT
Sep.01
Product | DOJO Launches BLAST10K Fresh in UK With 0+10ml E-Liquid Structure, Retaining 2+8ml Pod Compatibility
Product | DOJO Launches BLAST10K Fresh in UK With 0+10ml E-Liquid Structure, Retaining 2+8ml Pod Compatibility
DOJO launched the BLAST10K Fresh in the UK on September 4, 2026, introducing its INSTA-JUICED™ technology and a new 0+10ml structure that keeps e-liquid separated from the coil before activation. The device features a 1000mAh rechargeable battery, COREX BLAST dual-mesh technology and SSS leak-resistant technology, with a manufacturer-rated capacity of up to 10,000 puffs. It also retains compatibility with existing 2+8ml pods across the BLAST ecosystem. The launch introduces eight new flavors, including Matcha Strawberry, which DOJO describes as an industry first.
Market
Sep.04