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On Wednesday, it was revealed that federal agents had made a record-breaking seizure of over four million units of illegal e-cigarettes with an estimated value over $86 million. This largest-ever seizure of its kind occurred as a result of a week-long joint federal operation in Chicago.
The operation, conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), took months of planning and coordination and involved the examination of incoming shipments in an effort to prevent illegal e-cigarettes from entering the United States.
During the operation, federal agents determined that almost all of the illegal e-cigarette products that were seized originated in China. All were intended to be shipped to destinations across the United States. Their discovery, and subsequent seizure, came as agents examined shipments for violations of FDA approvals, federal revenue evasion, intellectual property trademarks, and hazardous materials labeling violations.
All in all, almost 4.7 million e-cigarettes with a Manufacturer’s Suggest Retail Price of more than $86.5 million were seized, bringing the total amount of illegal e-cigarettes seized this year to more than six million unauthorized e-cigarettes worth over $120 million.
“Parents, teachers, coaches, and others concerned about our kids should be alarmed by how many unauthorized e-cigarettes have been seized by CBP and the FDA in Chicago,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott. “There is no telling what dangers are inside these products or the conditions of the facilities that made them. I urge everyone to do research and know what you are buying.”
CBP & HHS seized over 4.7 million illegal e-cigarettes, worth $86.5M+, in Chicago! This is the largest e-cigarette seizure ever. These unauthorized products, mostly from China, are a health risk. We're stopping them to protect kids. #CBP #HHS #Vaping More: https://t.co/Ak319ePYjZ pic.twitter.com/iwX3g3ZdAv
— Director of Field Operations Chicago (@DFOChicago) September 10, 2025
In addition to the seizures, the FDA contacted 37 importers and import entry filers who were responsible for importing these illegal e-cigarettes and advised them that it is a federal crime to make false statements to the U.S. government. Those firms now have 30 days to respond to the FDA letters with the requested information or they will be subject to sanctions being made against them.
Illegal e-cigarettes are often imported into the United States by using the practice of “port shopping,” in which illegal products repeatedly try to enter the United States. “The FDA and our federal partners are taking strong actions to shore up America’s borders and stop the flow of illegal vaping products into our country,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.