The US FDA and Customs jointly seized 3 million illegal electronic cigarette products, including GEEKBAR, with a total amount of $76 million involved in the case

The US FDA and Customs jointly seized 3 million illegal electronic cigarette products, including GEEKBAR, with a total amount of $76 million involved in the case

The joint action by the US FDA and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) resulted in the seizure of approximately 3 million unauthorized electronic cigarette products, with an estimated retail value of $76 million. This is also the highest amount of money seized by the FDA to date. It is worth noting that GEEKBAR is the only electronic cigarette brand mentioned in the notification.

 

According to the official website of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 22, the FDA, in collaboration with the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), announced the administrative seizure of approximately 3 million unauthorized electronic cigarette products, with an estimated retail value of $76 million. This seizure operation is part of a joint operation in July aimed at inspecting incoming goods and preventing illegal electronic cigarettes from entering the United States. It is also the highest amount of money seized by the FDA so far.

FDA seizes illegal electronic cigarettes including GEEKBAR | Image source: FDA official website

 

In June, the FDA and the US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the establishment of a joint federal task force to curb the distribution and sale of illegal electronic cigarettes.

 

The FDA pointed out that during the preparation phase of the operation, the joint team worked for several months to review shipping invoices, identify potentially illegal incoming goods, and complete other investigation work, which made the operation a success. During the inspection of goods imported from China, the team discovered various illegal electronic cigarettes, including brands such as GEEKBAR. In order to evade tariffs and testing, most unauthorized electronic cigarettes are intentionally falsely reported as items unrelated to electronic cigarettes and declared with incorrect values. The seized and confiscated products will be processed according to CBP's authority.

 

FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf stated that,

 

The FDA is highly vigilant and in coordination with our federal partners, committed to preventing unauthorized electronic cigarettes from entering the US border. These products often fall into the hands of children, and the newly established federal task force can work together to combat this unethical behavior

 

Senior CBP official Troy A. Miller said,

 

CBP's trade enforcement mission places great emphasis on intercepting illegal products that may harm American consumers. We will continue to work with law enforcement partners to identify and seize unsafe and illegal goods

 

Brian King, Director of the FDA Tobacco Products Center, stated that,

 

This is not the first joint seizure operation, nor will it be the last - we will continue to spare no effort in pursuing those who attempt to smuggle illegal electronic cigarettes. The fact that these 76 million dollars were thrown into the trash bin by these criminals should make them realize that their time and money should be used more to evade the law