Strict Inspection at Chicago Port: Hundreds of Tons of Seized E-cigarettes

Regulations by 2FIRSTS
Dec.19.2023
Strict Inspection at Chicago Port: Hundreds of Tons of Seized E-cigarettes
Chicago port intensifies inspections on e-cigarette shipments, confiscates hundreds of tons of products, targeting FDA blacklisted companies.

On December 19th, a reliable source within the e-cigarette logistics industry informed 2FIRSTS that the port of Chicago in the United States is currently conducting strict inspections on e-cigarette freight agents. So far, they have confiscated hundreds of tons of e-cigarettes.

 

According to a knowledgeable source, the inspection operation began on December 15th and is currently ongoing, with multiple e-cigarette freight forwarding companies reportedly being inspected.

 

2FIRSTS subsequently consulted a logistics provider engaged in the transportation of American e-cigarette shipments, who confirmed the situation and stated, "All companies listed in the FDA import alert have fallen victim to it.

 

According to reports, the import alert list, which includes several Chinese e-cigarette brands, was released by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 17.

 

Furthermore, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on December 15th that it had collaborated with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to seize approximately 1.4 million unauthorized e-cigarette products at the Los Angeles port. These products have a total value exceeding $18 million. 

 

Regarding the Port of Chicago:

 

Prior to this, 2FIRSTS compiled and analyzed the import ratios of e-cigarettes in the top five ports in the United States, based on data released by the US International Trade Commission.

 

According to statistics, Chicago serves as the largest hub for e-cigarettes in the United States, with more than 50% of these products entering the country through this city. They then radiate to the entire Great Lakes region, supplying the markets in the eastern and central parts of the United States.

 

美国国际贸易委员会:2022年白关进口电子烟约4亿支 芝加哥为最大口岸
The proportion of e-cigarette imports in various states of the United States in 2022 | Source: Mincy 

 

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

Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court Rejects Challenge, New Vape Rules to Take Effect on August 6
Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court Rejects Challenge, New Vape Rules to Take Effect on August 6
Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court has rejected an injunction seeking to stop a new vape regulation from taking effect, ruling that there was no specific harm to constitutional rights. As a result, Technical Regulation RTCR 519-2025, promoted by the Health Ministry, will enter into force on August 6 as originally planned.
Mar.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philip Morris Japan Unveils TEREA “Blossom Pearl” for IQOS ILUMA
Philip Morris Japan Unveils TEREA “Blossom Pearl” for IQOS ILUMA
Philip Morris Japan announced that it will launch “TEREA Blossom Pearl,” a new tobacco stick for IQOS ILUMA, on May 11. The new product will expand the TEREA lineup to 27 variants. It features a capsule menthol flavor with strawberry and subtle herbal notes and is priced at JPY 620, or about USD 4.14 based on an assumed rate of 1 JPY = 0.00668 USD. The exchange-rate source should be verified and added.
Apr.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
New York’s Lawsuit Against Puff Bar and Other Flavored Vape Companies Survives Key Court Challenge
New York’s Lawsuit Against Puff Bar and Other Flavored Vape Companies Survives Key Court Challenge
According to Law360, a federal judge ruled that makers and distributors of flavored vape brands such as Puff Bar cannot escape New York’s lawsuit seeking to hold them responsible for the youth vaping epidemic. The court found that the state had adequately alleged the companies misrepresented how safe vaping is.
Apr.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BAT Rothmans Upgrades neo™ Boost for glo™ HYPER Series
BAT Rothmans Upgrades neo™ Boost for glo™ HYPER Series
BAT Rothmans said on April 13 that its heated tobacco brand glo™ will launch an upgraded version of neo™ Boost, the dedicated stick for the HYPER series. The company said the refresh focuses on strengthening freshness and cooling sensations to improve the overall user experience.
Apr.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Vape Club: Over 1.3 Million Illegal E-Cigarettes Seized in UK by 2025, Worth £10 Million on Streets
Vape Club: Over 1.3 Million Illegal E-Cigarettes Seized in UK by 2025, Worth £10 Million on Streets
Vape Club report reveals 1.3 million illegal e-cigarettes seized in UK by 2025, worth £10 million on the streets.
Mar.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts|Sesh Advances Nicotine Pouch PMTA to Filing Stage, Experts Highlight Regulatory Threshold and Market Window
2Firsts|Sesh Advances Nicotine Pouch PMTA to Filing Stage, Experts Highlight Regulatory Threshold and Market Window
Sesh said its Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) for 64 nicotine pouch SKUs has been accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and advanced to the Filing stage, entering substantive scientific review. Industry experts say the development signals that the application has crossed a key technical and regulatory threshold, while also highlighting growing divergence in regulatory capability and market positioning within the nicotine pouch category.
Special Report
Mar.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai