Malaysian Customs Seizes Over US$3.4 Million in E-Cigarettes and Vape Liquids Shipped from China and Transported Overland

Key Takeaways

• Malaysian Customs seized 719,250 vape-related products in Kedah.
• The goods were valued at about RM13 million (around US$2.7 million), with taxes exceeding RM3 million (around US$600,000).
• The products originated from China and entered the country via Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
• The suspect lacked the required import permit from the Health Ministry; authorities are investigating the goods’ intended use and those involved.

2Firsts, December 2, 2025 — According to The Star, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department conducted an enforcement operation in Kedah, seizing more than RM16 million (about US$3.4 million) worth of e-cigarette devices and vape liquids at a storage warehouse in Padang Besar, Perlis. The consignment is believed to have entered the country without proper customs clearance.

Wan Marini Wan Hamzah, director of the Kedah Customs Department, said the enforcement team carried out the raid on Oct 13, 2025, at 3pm, discovering 211,050 e-cigarette devices and 508,200 bottles of vape liquid — a total of 719,250 items spanning various brands.

She noted that the entire consignment, suspected to have bypassed official customs clearance, carried an estimated value of nearly RM13 million (about US$2.7 million), with import duties and taxes amounting to more than RM3 million (about US$600,000). The suspect, a man in his 40s, failed to present a valid import permit issued by the Health Ministry.

Under Part 1 of the Second Schedule of the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023, vape liquids are classified as controlled import items that require prior approval from the Health Ministry before entering the country.

Investigations revealed that the products were manufactured in China, arriving first at Kuala Lumpur International Airport before being transported overland to Perlis. Authorities are probing whether the goods were intended for the local market or for export to other countries, and are also examining the role of the warehouse owner and other parties.

The case is currently being investigated under Section 135(1)(g) of the Customs Act 1967.

Wan Marini added that the Customs Department will continue to strengthen monitoring at all entry points to curb smuggling of high-duty and prohibited goods, urging the public to assist in reporting illicit activities involving tobacco, alcohol, fireworks, drugs, and other contraband items.

Cover image: Bernama