On April 16, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) announced the results of a large-scale international customs operation targeting the illegal trade of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The initiative—code-named JCO VAPE—brought together customs authorities from 30 countries and resulted in the seizure of more than 94 million illicit items.
Operation Overview
The joint customs operation ran from November 14 to December 15, 2025, marking the first coordinated international enforcement effort focused specifically on vape and heated tobacco smuggling.
The operation was led by OLAF, with Italy and Lithuania serving as co-coordinators.
Participating countries included:
23 EU Member States:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Hungary, Malta, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia
7 Non-EU Partner Countries:
Ukraine, Turkey, Australia, Egypt, China (including Hong Kong), Norway, and the Philippines
Seizure Highlights
Customs authorities reported significant enforcement results across multiple product categories:
- 94+ million illicit tobacco and vape-related items
- 2,500+ kg/liters of tobacco and liquid products
- Around 1.9 million disposable e-cigarettes
- 1,551 vape e-liquid products
- Approximately 61,000 heated tobacco units
Among participating countries, Belgium recorded the highest number of seized e-cigarettes, with roughly 1.7 million devices confiscated.
Smuggling Tactics Uncovered
Investigators found that illicit shipments were often misdeclared to evade customs checks. Common cover categories included:
- Toys
- Towels
- Clothing
- Footwear
- Shelving units
- Headphones
- Glassware
- Essential oils
This pattern highlights a growing level of sophistication in how illegal vape products are moved across borders.
Compliance Issues Identified
According to OLAF, the majority of seized products failed to meet regulatory standards in participating countries. Common violations included:
- Use of banned flavors
- Excessive nicotine levels beyond legal limits
- Unauthorized or non-compliant hardware
- Failure to meet safety, labeling, and ingredient requirements
Official Statement
Petr Klement, Director-General of OLAF, emphasized the broader implications:
“The results of this joint customs operation show that illicit trade in tobacco and vaping products poses an increasing threat to both public health and public finances. Consumers should remain cautious, as illegal products may contain harmful substances.”
Why This Matters
This operation signals a turning point in global vape regulation enforcement. For regulators, it reinforces the need for cross-border cooperation. For brands and distributors, it underscores the importance of compliance, traceability, and transparent supply chains.
As enforcement becomes more coordinated and data-driven, the risks associated with non-compliant products—both legal and reputational—are only increasing.