Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) and the Federal Revenue Service announced on 24 June 2026 that a joint sweep— Operation *Rede de Fumaça*— had intercepted more than 25,000 electronic cigarettes and 107,000 packs of contraband tobacco entering the country. The products were confiscated at warehouse facilities linked to the ports of Santos and Rio de Janeiro as well as at São Paulo’s Guarulhos Airport. Electronic vaping devices have been banned for sale and import in Brazil since Resolution RDC 855/2024, but demand from tourists and returning residents has fuelled a growing black market. Inspectors used AI-driven x-ray screening and risk-profiling algorithms that flag shipments declared as “small electronics” to identify suspicious consignments. The crackdown serves as a warning to international travellers: possession of vape products can lead to seizure, fines and potential criminal liability if quantities suggest commercial intent. Corporate mobility teams should update pre-departure briefings, especially for visitors coming from jurisdictions where vaping is legal.
![Customs and Health Regulators Seize 25,000 Illegal E-Cigarettes at Brazilian Ports and Airports]()
For travellers needing clarity on what items can and cannot be brought into Brazil, VisaHQ’s Brazil portal (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) offers real-time guidance on visa types, customs restrictions, and the latest health-related regulations. The platform’s experts can also assist corporate mobility teams in drafting compliant travel policies, ensuring employees arrive with the correct documents—and without prohibited goods.
Anvisa reiterated that protecting youth from nicotine addiction was a key motive behind the ban. The agency plans to step up spot-checks during the July holiday rush and ahead of major trade fairs in the second half of the year. For logistics providers, the seizure underscores the importance of accurate cargo classification and due diligence on shippers, as customs authorities tighten enforcement to meet public-health objectives.
For travellers needing clarity on what items can and cannot be brought into Brazil, VisaHQ’s Brazil portal (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) offers real-time guidance on visa types, customs restrictions, and the latest health-related regulations. The platform’s experts can also assist corporate mobility teams in drafting compliant travel policies, ensuring employees arrive with the correct documents—and without prohibited goods.
Anvisa reiterated that protecting youth from nicotine addiction was a key motive behind the ban. The agency plans to step up spot-checks during the July holiday rush and ahead of major trade fairs in the second half of the year. For logistics providers, the seizure underscores the importance of accurate cargo classification and due diligence on shippers, as customs authorities tighten enforcement to meet public-health objectives.
