UK Customs Seizes Illegal e-Cigarettes at Heathrow Airport

Events by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jun.27.2023
UK Customs Seizes Illegal e-Cigarettes at Heathrow Airport
UK customs and MHRA crack down on e-cigarette products at Heathrow Airport, seizing illegal products without chance to react.

On June 27th, a reliable source informed 2FIRSTS that the UK customs, in collaboration with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), conducted a thorough inspection of a large number of e-cigarette products at Heathrow Airport (LHRAirport).

 

According to the source, "This inspection was very strict, and if something was found, it was immediately confiscated without a chance to appeal." They explained that in March of this year, the MHRA and customs were already working together to enforce regulations at the LHR airport, resulting in the seizure of many products.

 

According to previous reports, trade standard departments across the UK have confiscated over 2.5 million illegal e-cigarettes in the past three years. In the town of Hounslow near Heathrow Airport, a significant point of entry for illegal trading, law enforcement officials have already seized over 1.35 million e-cigarettes. This area has been a priority for law enforcement agencies.

 

According to UK law, it is only legal to sell disposable e-cigarettes with a capacity of 2 millilitres (approximately 600 puffs). Any action exceeding this limit is considered illegal.

 

This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Federal Register notice: FDA seeks comments on “Warning Plans for Certain Tobacco Products”
Federal Register notice: FDA seeks comments on “Warning Plans for Certain Tobacco Products”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a notice stating it has submitted a proposed information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Jan.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
After Export Tax Rebates Go to Zero: How China’s E-Cigarette Supply Chain Is Being Reshaped, According to 2Firsts Research
After Export Tax Rebates Go to Zero: How China’s E-Cigarette Supply Chain Is Being Reshaped, According to 2Firsts Research
China’s e-cigarette industry is adjusting to a major policy shift. From April 1, 2026, China will scrap the 13% export VAT rebate on e-cigarette products, a move affecting manufacturers centered in Shenzhen. Industry participants told 2Firsts the change is forcing a reassessment of pricing and capacity, with competition shifting toward cash flow resilience, regulatory compliance, and multi-location strategies.
Industry Insight
Jan.16
California DOJ publishes first-ever Unflavored Tobacco List; products not on the list are ineligible for sale
California DOJ publishes first-ever Unflavored Tobacco List; products not on the list are ineligible for sale
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the publication of the first-ever Unflavored Tobacco List (UTL), listing unflavored tobacco products lawful for sale under California’s flavored tobacco restrictions. Any covered tobacco product not appearing on the UTL is deemed a flavored tobacco product and ineligible for sale.
Jan.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | Detachable Battery + Dual-Battery System: RAZ VUE 50K Launches on U.S. Online Vape Channels
Product | Detachable Battery + Dual-Battery System: RAZ VUE 50K Launches on U.S. Online Vape Channels
RAZ has recently launched the RAZ VUE 50K on U.S. online vape channels, positioning it as the brand’s first disposable vape featuring a detachable battery. The device uses a dual-battery setup—an integrated 420mAh battery in the pod paired with a reusable 900mAh power bank—and is rated for up to approximately 50,000 puffs in Normal Mode.
Jan.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | “Switch”-Style Design, Rated 30,000 Puffs: Open-System Klip’s Switch Edition Listed on French Channels
Product | “Switch”-Style Design, Rated 30,000 Puffs: Open-System Klip’s Switch Edition Listed on French Channels
The open-system e-cigarette Klip’s Switch Edition 30K has recently been listed on multiple French vape e-commerce channels. Channel information indicates the product is a collaboration between Fumytech and Tornadoliq and uses an open refill solution. The kit includes a 7 mL pod/cartridge and two 10 mL refill bottles, with a claimed total usage of around 30,000 puffs. The mainstream retail price is about €19.90.
Feb.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korean Court Strikes Down Health Levy on Vape Nicotine Liquids, Citing Disproportionate Penalties
South Korean Court Strikes Down Health Levy on Vape Nicotine Liquids, Citing Disproportionate Penalties
A Seoul court has annulled South Korea’s health-levy assessments imposed on multiple importers of nicotine liquids used for vaping. While the court agreed the nicotine could be treated as “tobacco” because it was found to be leaf-derived, it ruled the levy—stacked with other taxes and calculated on a blunt, volume-only basis—was so severe it effectively deprived businesses of the ability to operate, breaching constitutional proportionality and equality standards.
Jan.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai