Australian Border Force (ABF) officers have intercepted illicit tobacco and vapes worth an estimated $1 billion in evaded duty during the second quarter of the 2025–26 financial year, stopping vast shipments before they could reach the black market.
Between 1 October and 31 December 2025, authorities seized more than 467 tonnes of illicit cigarettes and loose-leaf tobacco, alongside tens of thousands of vapes, in what the ABF says reflects intensified enforcement and stronger domestic and offshore collaboration.
New South Wales officers foiled several major sea cargo importations, including the seizure of 14.4 million cigarettes hidden in a shipping container from China in mid-October. Just days later, officers uncovered more than 2.5 tonnes of molasses tobacco concealed behind juice products, while in November 52,800 vapes were found in a container from Kuala Lumpur falsely declared as dumbbells and trampolines.
Vape liquid detections have also surged. In Adelaide, ABF officers seized three litres of vape liquid from Hong Kong mislabelled as diffuser fragrance, while Brisbane officers intercepted multiple international mail consignments from the UK and France totalling more than 5.5 litres.
Tasmania recorded one of its largest cigarette seizures just before Christmas, when officers searched a shipping container from Poland and uncovered over 5.4 million illicit cigarettes declared as stretch film.
At Melbourne Airport, Victorian officers have stopped multiple travellers attempting to smuggle tobacco products in their luggage over the past three months. Interceptions included travellers arriving from Lebanon carrying kilograms of tobacco and thousands of cigarettes, a traveller from Taiwan with 23,400 cigarettes, and a woman from Lebanon found with 11.5kg of tobacco and 13,200 cigarettes, who is now facing prosecution.
Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Commander Greg Dowse said the figures highlight the scale of the problem and the ABF’s determination to disrupt criminal networks.
“Detecting and seizing illicit tobacco remains a top enforcement priority for the ABF,” Commander Dowse said. “Our agency is dedicated to breaking the business model of illicit tobacco at every opportunity, and these examples are just the tip of the iceberg.”
He added that enforcement efforts extend well beyond Australia’s borders through intelligence sharing and cooperation with law enforcement and regulatory partners.
The ABF has urged the public to report suspected illicit tobacco activity through Border Watch, noting that information can be provided anonymously and plays a key role in protecting the community.
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