The Secret Supply Chain: How Unauthorized Vapes Enter the U.S.

A small customs brokerage firm in the U.S. plays a critical role in importing unauthorized Chinese-made vapes. Despite FDA regulations, these vapes reach American consumers, revealing a complex network of middlemen and distributors circumventing legal boundaries.

In a nondescript office near Chicago, a customs brokerage, led by Jay Kim, has emerged as an essential player in the U.S. supply chain for unauthorized Chinese-made e-cigarettes. Handling over 60% of vape shipments from China, the firm navigated the complexities of FDA regulations, becoming the industry's top choice.

However, many of these shipments included brands like Lost Mary and Geek Bar, deemed illegal by the FDA. The agency, wary of the appeal posed by such products to children, continues its struggle against the entrenched pipeline of unauthorized vapes.

The transfer of these vapes is facilitated by a network of U.S.-based middlemen who employ tactics to evade detection. Despite a crackdown and high-profile seizures, the unauthorized vape market thrives, with imports often masked under vague product descriptions.

(With inputs from agencies.)