Australia’s border authorities have intercepted a wave of illegal cigarette and vape smuggling, seizing more than 586 million cigarettes and over three million vapes between July and September 2025 — marking one of the largest hauls in the country’s history.
According to the Australian Border Force (ABF), this represents a sharp increase compared to the same period in 2024, when authorities seized 539 million cigarettes and just over 2.3 million vapes, and an even larger jump from 2023 figures of 449 million cigarettes, when vape data was not yet recorded due to new legislation only coming into effect in January 2024.
The seizures occurred across multiple states. In Queensland, officers uncovered nearly two tonnes of tobacco hidden in a shipping container falsely declared as furniture. Weeks later, a traveller arriving from Lebanon at Brisbane Airport was found carrying 30 kilograms of tobacco and 2,500 cigarettes concealed in clothing. In Western Australia, officers seized over four million cigarettes hidden behind a wall of bricks in a shipping container, triggering a joint-agency operation that identified an estimated $24 million in crime proceeds across New South Wales.
Victoria saw a 6.5-tonne shipment of tobacco disguised as furniture intercepted, marking one of the year’s largest seizures, while a man arriving from the UAE was found with 68,000 cigarettes after previously being warned about smuggling. Sydney ended the quarter with a near-record haul of 95,000 vapes from China misdeclared as “perforated strips.”
ABF Commander Greg Dowse, in charge of illicit tobacco and vape enforcement, said the scale of recent seizures demonstrated that criminal networks are “becoming more brazen” and willing to take greater risks. He credited international intelligence sharing and partnerships with helping Australian authorities intercept shipments before they reach the country.
Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious activity to Border Watch, which allows anonymous tips. Authorities stress that ongoing collaboration with overseas counterparts is key to preventing illegal tobacco and vape products from entering Australia.
