Federal agents seize $18M worth of illegal e-cigarettes from China

Federal agents recently seized about 1.4 million unauthorized e-cigarette products from the Chinese manufacturer of popular brand Elf Bar, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced Thursday. 

The joint operation at a cargo examination site at Los Angeles International Airport resulted in a seizure of products worth more than $18 million, the agencies said.  

In addition to Elf Bar, officials seized related brands made by the same company, including EB Design and EB Create. Other seized brands included Lost Mary, Funky Republic, RELX Pod and IPLAY Max, all of which came from China.

Many of the unauthorized e-cigarettes were intentionally mislabeled as toys or shoes and listed with incorrect values. 

“Unscrupulous companies try everything they can to bring unauthorized, youth-appealing tobacco products into the country. The FDA will remain vigilant, and together with our federal partners, stop these imports before they make it into the hands of our nation’s youth,” FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said in a statement. 

The confiscated products will be destroyed, the agency said. 

In May, the FDA directed customs officials to seize incoming shipments of Elf Bar and EBDesign, two of the company’s U.S. brand names. Thursday’s announcement marks the first time U.S. officials have stopped shipments of Elf Bar at a port of entry.

According to the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey, Elf Bar is the most commonly used brand among youth e-cigarette users. The cheap, disposable device claims to contain 5,000 “puffs” per vape and comes in fruity flavors such as berry mix, watermelon ice and peach mango watermelon.  

The survey found 56 percent of teens who vape said they used Elf Bar, more than double the rate of any other e-cigarette brand. 

“Those shamelessly attempting to smuggle illegal e-cigarettes, particularly those that appeal to youth, into this country should take heed of today’s announcement,” Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, said in a statement.