Cigarette-smuggling surge: 8.3 million seized by Customs this year

New Zealand Customs has intercepted a substantial volume of illegal cigarettes at the border, seizing 8.3 million in just the first four months of this year. This figure equates to an average of nearly 70,000 contraband cigarettes being caught each day, signaling a dramatic surge in smuggling activities.

The latest figures indicate a sharp rise in seizures compared to 2025. Customs Minister Casey Costello noted that these illegal, yet more affordable, cigarettes are increasingly favored by consumers. The escalating popularity of illicit tobacco products poses a significant challenge to public health initiatives and government revenue collection.

The substantial quantity of seized cigarettes underscores the persistent demand for cheaper alternatives to legally taxed tobacco products. Authorities are intensifying efforts to combat this growing trade, which not only deprives the government of excise taxes but also potentially exposes consumers to unregulated and harmful products.

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8.3 million illegal cigarettes were seized at the border in the first four months of this year.