Kazakhstan Customs Seizes 155.8 Tons of E-cigarettes Worth 13.6 Million USD

News by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jul.04.2023
Kazakhstan Customs Seizes 155.8 Tons of E-cigarettes Worth 13.6 Million USD
Kazakhstan customs in Aktobe discovered and seized 155.8 tons of illegal e-cigarettes and accessories worth 6.1 billion tenge (18.4 million USD).

On July 3rd, according to a report by Kazakhstan media outlet Turantimes, officials from the Zetisu Customs, located on the border with China, seized a total of 155.8 tons of e-cigarettes and related accessories, valued at 6.1 billion tenge (approximately 13.6 million USD). The Zetisu Customs, in collaboration with officials from the Ministry of Economy, conducted inspections of goods and vehicles at the Alakur checkpoint, resulting in the discovery of a significant quantity of illegally imported disposable e-cigarettes, e-cigarette liquid, and e-cigarette accessories.

 

The Zetisu Customs stated that the confiscated goods and vehicles did not provide valid documentation and failed to declare the imported goods, which violates the relevant regulations in the customs field of the Eurasian Economic Union.

 

According to reports, a total of eight trucks entered the Alakol customs station in Kazakhstan from China between March 1 to 6, 2023.

 

According to Article 154 of the Customs Code of Kazakhstan, the carrier's failure to promptly notify the customs authorities of the arrival of goods and to submit the necessary documentation constitutes a violation of Articles 524 and 531 of the Administrative Code of Kazakhstan.

 

During customs inspection of goods and vehicles, a total weight of 155.8 tons of e-cigarettes and accessories was discovered. According to experts' assessment, the total value of the goods reached 6.1 billion tenge (13.6 million USD) and an estimated 1.9 billion Janko (4.25 million USD) in customs duty and taxes are expected to be paid.

 

According to on-site photos provided by the Zetisu Customs, the confiscated e-cigarettes were found to have packaging featuring logos of brands such as HQD and INFLAVE.

 

These seized items have been handed over to the Zetisu Regional Economic Investigation Department for further procedural action.

 

References: 【1】Электронные сигареты на 6 млрд тенге изъяли в Жетысу

 


Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Smoke-Free Business Hits 42% of Q2 Net Revenue as PMI’s First TNFD Report Covers Single-Use Electronics, Critical Raw Materials and IQOS Repairs
Smoke-Free Business Hits 42% of Q2 Net Revenue as PMI’s First TNFD Report Covers Single-Use Electronics, Critical Raw Materials and IQOS Repairs
Philip Morris International has published its first report aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, bringing its electronics supply chain and the use and end-of-life stages of smoke-free devices and consumables into its nature-related assessment. PMI said its smoke-free business accounted for about 42% of total net revenues in the second quarter of 2026. The report says non-circular electronic products, particularly single-use items, can increase consumption of limited natural resources and also details an IQOS repair pilot. A 2040 circularity scenario tests assumptions including a 50% reduction in product waste-related costs, 10% raw-material savings and a 25% substitution rate for refurbished products versus new products.
Sep.23
Product | JT Refreshes Ploom CUBE Design and Expands Japan Retail Distribution, Targeting Younger Men and Female Users
Product | JT Refreshes Ploom CUBE Design and Expands Japan Retail Distribution, Targeting Younger Men and Female Users
Japan Tobacco (JT) launched a refreshed Ploom CUBE design in Japan on September 8, 2026, with broader convenience-store and tobacco-retail distribution planned from October 13. The updated device retains the existing Rounded Cube form and heating platform while replacing four previous body colors with Pebble White and Cobalt Black. JT is also introducing new Front Panels and Fabric Back Covers, although the new accessories are not compatible with the previous Ploom CUBE design. The company says the update is intended to broaden appeal among younger male and female users.
Sep.09
New Zealand Associate Health Minister Casey Costello Warns on Illicit Cigarettes as Legal Tobacco Sales Halve Over Decade
New Zealand Associate Health Minister Casey Costello Warns on Illicit Cigarettes as Legal Tobacco Sales Halve Over Decade
New Zealand Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said legal tobacco sales in the country have fallen by more than half over the past decade, with sales declining more than 20% in 2025 compared with the previous year. She warned that the decline may not fully reflect lower smoking rates, as increased availability of illicit cigarettes could also be contributing. The government said it would continue strengthening tobacco and vape retail enforcement while monitoring the impact of illicit tobacco on public health and tax revenue.
Aug.26
InterTabac 2026: Further Sessions on Regulation, Market Access and Innovation Confirmed; 2FIRSTS to Host China Market Forum
InterTabac 2026: Further Sessions on Regulation, Market Access and Innovation Confirmed; 2FIRSTS to Host China Market Forum
InterTabac 2026 will bring together international experts to discuss European regulation, tax policy, Track & Trace, market access, retail impacts, consumer behavior and innovation. Sessions will also examine Poland’s tobacco-growing perspective and the growing fragmentation of Europe’s tobacco and nicotine market. Media partner 2FIRSTS will host the second “2FIRSTS Connect at InterTabac” on September 16, focusing on developments in China’s tobacco and nicotine industry.
Aug.06
CCPIT Says Trade Friction Index for China-Related Electronics Sector Remains High, With Vape Products Among Areas of Focus
CCPIT Says Trade Friction Index for China-Related Electronics Sector Remains High, With Vape Products Among Areas of Focus
China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) held its July regular press conference on July 31, 2026, releasing the May 2026 Global Economic and Trade Friction Index. CCPIT spokesperson Yang Fan said the global trade friction index stood at 95 in May, remaining at a medium-to-high level. By industry, the electronics sector recorded the highest trade friction index among 13 monitored industries. In China-related trade frictions, the index stood at 93, with electronics products including drones, chips and vape products among areas where friction remained elevated.
Aug.03
Australia Brings in Deloitte to Support Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Across Data, Processes and Project Delivery
Australia Brings in Deloitte to Support Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Across Data, Processes and Project Delivery
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has hired Deloitte to provide data analytics, business-process, communications and project-delivery support to the Office of the Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner. The government says Deloitte personnel do not provide policy advice to the Commissioner or the Australian government, with policy development and decision-making remaining with public officials. The arrangement has nevertheless drawn scrutiny because Deloitte has previously provided professional services to several tobacco and vaping companies.
Sep.03