Illicit tobacco and vapes representing $1 billion AUD of evaded duty has been stopped at the Australian border in quarter two of the 25/26 financial year, including the seizure of over 467 tonnes of illicit cigarettes and loose-leaf tobacco combined.
Statistics of illicit tobacco and vape seizures between 1 October and 31 December 2025 continue to display the increased effort, collaboration and prioritisation by ABF to tackle the illicit tobacco market with impressive seizures offshore and around the country.
ABF officers in NSW have prevented some large importations from entering the country via sea cargo; in mid-October over 14.4 million cigarettes were seized on a shipping container from China, a few days later over 2.5 tons of molasses tobacco – hidden behind juice was seized, and in November over 52,800 vapes were discovered on a shipping container from Kuala Lumpur which were declared as dumbbells and trampolines.
Detections of vape liquid are on the rise with officers in Adelaide seizing 3 litres from Hong Kong in air cargo described as diffuser fragrance, and officers in Brisbane seizing several individual consignments totaling over 5.5 liters via international mail from the UK and France.
Tasmania had one of their largest cigarette seizures just before Christmas when officers searched a shipping container from Poland, inside they discovered over 5.4 million illicit cigarettes which were falsely declared as stretch film.
ABF officers in Victoria have detected multiple travelers attempting to smuggle illicit cigarettes and tobacco via Melbourne airport. In the last three months ABF officers have stopped:
• A male traveler and his companion arriving from Lebanon with 7kg tobacco in their luggage
• A male traveler from Taiwan with 23,400 cigarettes hidden in his bags,
• A female traveler from Lebanon with 11.5 kg tobacco and 13,200 cigarettes in her luggage – who is currently pending prosecution
• Two male travelers from Lebanon with over 5,000 cigarettes and 11.75kg tobacco in their bags
Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Commander Greg Dowse said these figures demonstrate that detecting and seizing illicit tobacco remains a top enforcement priority for the ABF.
“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 on ABFs response to tackling this black market and the criminals behind it,” Commander Dowse said.
“Our work doesn’t start at the border - it starts well before illicit goods ever reach Australia and continues post-border through cooperation and intelligence sharing with our law enforcement and regulatory partners.”
Anyone with information about the importation of illicit tobacco should contact Border Watch at abf.gov.au/borderwatch. By reporting suspicious activities, you help protect Australia's border and the community. Information can be provided anonymously.
Media contact: media@abf.gov.au
