New data shows the Australian Border Force (ABF) intercepted record volumes of illicit tobacco and vapes last financial year, averaging 120 detections at the border every day.
From 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, the ABF made 23,097 illicit tobacco detections, seizing 2.53 billion cigarette sticks and 435.46 tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco. This equates to a total of over 2,091 tonnes of illicit tobacco products seized and prevented an estimated $4.36 billion in duty evaded across the financial year.
These record-breaking figures represent a 320 per cent increase in cigarette stick seizures and a 67 per cent increase in total tobacco seized compared to four years ago (FY2020-21).
In addition, last financial year the ABF detected more than 6 million illicit vaping products at the border, which were seized and destroyed before they were could be sold illegally in the Australian community.
While the majority of illicit tobacco imports arrive from, or transit through, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UAE, these are not always the true source of the shipments.
Some of the largest seizures in the first six months of this year include a shipment of 13.6 million cigarettes from Singapore into Victoria, and a shipment of 11.7 million cigarettes from the UAE into NSW. The ABF also seized two separate containers into Victoria, both containing over 10 tonnes of loose tobacco.
ABF Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Commander Ken McKern said the ABF acknowledges that work at the border starts internationally, which is why one of its strategies is targeting the illicit tobacco supply chain as far from Australia as possible.
"Officers deployed overseas in the ABF's international network work closely with international customs partners to identify, disrupt, and stop illegal shipments before they reach Australian shores, and to help dismantle the organised crime groups responsible.
"Unfortunately we can't seize this problem away. Enforcement at the border is only one part of the response, which must complement education, health, domestic enforcement and compliance," Commander McKern said.
"Illicit tobacco isn't just dangerous to your health. Whenever you buy an illicit tobacco product you are putting money in the pockets of serious organised crime groups, which then fund other serious criminal activities such as illicit drug and weapon trafficking."
The ABF remains committed to protecting Australia's borders, safeguarding the community and preserving government revenue by stopping illicit tobacco and vape products from entering the country.
