Key Takeaways
- Türkiye recorded 4,163 e-cigarette smuggling raids over the past five years.
- In 2025, the number of raids reached 1,398, with seized products valued at TRY 571.66 million, or about USD 12.64 million.
- In 2023, seized products were valued at TRY 646.02 million, or about USD 14.28 million, marking a high point in recent years.
- In the first three months of 2026, Türkiye carried out 267 raids and seized products worth TRY 58.23 million, or about USD 1.29 million.
- Türkiye has banned imports of e-cigarettes and similar products since 2020.
2Firsts, May 7，2026
According to Türkiye Gazetesi, Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat disclosed customs enforcement data on e-cigarette smuggling in response to a written parliamentary question.
Seizures over five years were valued at TRY 1.84 billion
According to Trade Ministry data shared by Bolat, Türkiye recorded 4,163 raids targeting e-cigarette smuggling over the past five years, preventing illegal e-cigarettes, liquids and components worth TRY 1.84 billion, or about USD 40.68 million based on an exchange rate of USD 1 = TRY 45.2339, from reaching the market.
Raids increased each year from 2021 to 2025
The report said that in 2021, Türkiye seized products worth TRY 18.02 million, or about USD 398,396, in 235 raids. In 2022, the number of raids rose to 442, while the market value of seized products increased to TRY 74.72 million, or about USD 1.65 million.
Seizure value reached TRY 646.02 million in 2023
In 2023, when inspections were tightened, Türkiye reached a record amount of TRY 646.02 million, or about USD 14.28 million, through 917 raids. In 2024, authorities seized smuggled products worth TRY 469.04 million, or about USD 10.37 million, in 924 raids.
2025 recorded the highest number of operations
In 2025, Türkiye carried out 1,398 raids and seized products worth TRY 571.66 million, or about USD 12.64 million, making it the year with the highest number of operations. In the first three months of 2026, 267 raids resulted in seizures worth TRY 58.23 million, or about USD 1.29 million.
Bolat said products such as e-cigarette devices, pods, cartridges, liquids and liquid nicotine are easy to conceal and difficult to detect because of their small physical size.
Smuggling methods included luggage concealment and mixing with legal cargo
The report said methods used to bring the products into Türkiye included carrying them on passengers, hiding them in secret compartments of luggage, placing them in technical spaces in vehicles, and concealing them among legal cargo, meaning declared commercial goods.
Illegal products are sold through social media and e-commerce platforms
According to Trade Ministry data, a large portion of products brought into the country illegally are being marketed through social media accounts and e-commerce platforms. Bolat said the ministry is working in coordination with relevant institutions to identify these accounts and impose access restrictions.
Türkiye has banned e-cigarette imports since 2020
The report said Türkiye banned imports of e-cigarettes and similar products in 2020 by presidential decision. It added that illegal trade in products without legal sales channels poses risks to public health and supports the informal economy.
Image source: Türkiye Gazetesi
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