On May 13, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the results of Operation Red Mist, a targeted initiative conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard and the FDA. The operation seized more than 18 million electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) valued at over $175 million.
Operation Red Mist primarily targeted maritime cargo shipments originating from the People's Republic of China. CBP identified and seized illegal vaping products through intelligence-driven targeting and interagency partnerships. Enforcement actions were coordinated at every stage of the supply chain — from pre-shipment intelligence to port inspections and post-seizure investigations.
In plain terms: If you ship unauthorized vapes to the United States by sea, the federal government now seizes and destroys them at the port. There is no court hearing, no appeal, and no chance to redirect the shipment. The products are gone before they ever reach a distributor.
During the operation, teams discovered shipments with hazardous materials that were misclassified and improperly labeled — common tactics to avoid detection, taxes, and duties. The shipments did not meet importation requirements for tobacco products or electronic devices and violated safety and environmental protection standards for transport. All seized products lacked FDA premarket authorization, making them illegal to sell in the United States.
