Key Points
- Total Value: In the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year (1 October to 31 December 2025), the tax evasion associated with illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes intercepted at Australia's borders amounted to approximately A$1 billion (approximately US$680 million).
Weight: Over 467 tonnes of illicit cigarettes and loose tobacco were seized. - New South Wales: 14.4 million cigarettes seized from a Chinese shipping container in October; 2.5 tonnes of molasses tobacco (concealed behind "fruit juice") seized days later; 52,800 e-cigarettes seized from a Kuala Lumpur-bound container in November, declared as "dumbbells" and "trampolines".
- Rise in e-cigarette liquid smuggling: 3 litres seized from Hong Kong air freight in Adelaide (declared as aroma diffusers); over 5.5 litres seized from multiple parcels originating UK and France via Brisbane international mail.
- Victoria Airport: Multiple passenger smuggling cases in recent months originating from Lebanon and Taiwan; one case involving a female passenger arriving from Lebanon is pending prosecution.
2Firsts, Feb 5, 2026
According to the Australian Border Force (ABF), illicit tobacco and vapes linked to an estimated A$1 billion in evaded duty were stopped at the Australian border in Q2 of FY2025/26 (Oct 1–Dec 31, 2025), including seizures totaling more than 467 tonnes of illicit cigarettes and loose-leaf tobacco. Using the rate A$1 = US$0.68, the evaded duty figure is approximately US$680 million.
ABF said sea cargo interceptions featured prominently. In New South Wales, Australia, officers seized over 14.4 million cigarettes in mid-October from a shipping container originating from China. Days later, they found more than 2.5 tonnes of molasses tobacco concealed behind “juice” consignments. In November, ABF discovered 52,800 vapes in a container from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which had been declared as “dumbbells and trampolines.”
ABF also flagged a rise in vape liquid detections. In Adelaide, Australia, officers seized three litres from air cargo originating in Hong Kong, declared as diffuser fragrance. In Brisbane, Australia, officers intercepted multiple international mail consignments from the UK and France, totaling more than 5.5 litres.
In Tasmania, Australia, ABF reported one of its largest cigarette seizures just before Christmas, after officers searched a container from Poland and uncovered more than 5.4 million illicit cigarettes, falsely declared as stretch film.
At Melbourne Airport in Victoria, Australia, ABF detected multiple traveler-smuggling attempts over the past three months, including:
- a male traveler and companion arriving from Lebanon with 7kg of tobacco;
- a male traveler from Taiwan with 23,400 cigarettes concealed in luggage;
- a female traveler from Lebanon carrying 11.5kg of tobacco and 13,200 cigarettes (pending prosecution);
- two male travelers from Lebanon with over 5,000 cigarettes and 11.75kg of tobacco.
Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Commander Greg Dowse said the figures underscore that illicit tobacco remains a top ABF priority, adding that ABF targets the black-market business model before goods reach Australia and continues post-border through cooperation and intelligence sharing. ABF encouraged anyone with information to contact Border Watch.
Image source: Australian Border Force (ABF)
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
