USPS acts to curtail illicit vape shipping
By: Emma Rumny
Reuters
LONDON - The U.S. Postal Service has cracked down on distributors of unregulated vapes using tis service for business shipment letters reviews by Reuters show, in a blow to a multibillion-dollar industry that has dented big Tobacco's sales.
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The letters, previously unreported, show that USPS wrote to major New York-based distributor Demand Vape, blocking it form using its services after New York City's Law Department, which represents the city's government and officials in legal mattes, provided evidence that its shipments broke laws.
..... USPS's action stands to benefit tobacco giants including Altria and British American Tobacco, which have for years battled against unregulated vapes, mostly from china.
..... Unregulated vapes lack the authorization from the Food and Drug Administration that is required for them to be legally sold in the United States, the world's largest market for smoking alternatives.
..... USPS revoked Demand Vape's mailing exception in July [2025] after it received evidence the company shipped vapes that lacked FDA authorization and the violated a local flavor ban, a letter from USPS to the company, dated July 15, [2025] showed.
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Demand Vape said it complied with relevant laws and was contesting the revocation, adding the industry operates in a "regulatory gray zone" with only a small number of FDA-Authorized products that do not meet consumer demand.
..... "We reject nay characterization that paints Demand Vape as anything other than a transparent, lawful and reputable business," t said in a statement.
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USPS did not respond to a request for comment.
..... So far, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized only 39 e-cigarette products. But unauthorized devices are widely available as unauthorizes struggle to contain them.
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Under a 2021 law, USPS is restricted from mailing vapes directly to consumers, internationally and in most other circumstances.
..... The limited exceptions include domestic shipments between businesses, which need a "mailing exception"
and whose shipments must comply with relevant laws.
..... Some other large carriers, including FedEx, refuse to ship vapes, DHL only offers carriage for business shipments with prior approval.
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USPS has provided NYC's Law Department with a list of other vape companies it has granted mailing exceptions so it can assess whether they should be challenged, in line with legal requirements, Eric Proshansky, deputy chief of the city's division of affirmative litigation, told Reuters.
..... This could further limit the number of carriers available to the unauthorized vape industry.
..... Other options, such a using smaller carriers or handling freight directly, tend to be more costly.