Tom Cotton (R-AR)
ENDS Chinese Vapes Act of 2026
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "ENDS Chinese Vapes Act of 2026," aims to amend the Tariff Act of 1930. It establishes escalating civil penalties for the entry or attempted entry of unauthorized electronic nicotine delivery systems into the United States. The legislation targets violations occurring through fraud, gross negligence, or negligence. It provides specific fine amounts per unit depending on the nature of the violation. Additionally, it creates heightened penalties for schemes involving transshipment or repeat violations.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +5
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill protects consumers by deterring the entry of unauthorized and potentially unregulated nicotine delivery systems into the market.
- Scored +4
Does this tighten control of the border?
The bill strengthens border integrity by increasing penalties for those attempting to evade customs through fraud or transshipment.
- Scored +3
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The bill increases federal revenue through the imposition of significant civil penalties for smuggling and illegal importation.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill imposes extremely high financial penalties on importers who violate customs regulations through negligence or fraud.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Penalties for Fraud: The bill imposes a penalty not to exceed $5,000 per unit for violations involving fraud, which acts as a deterrent against dishonest importers (Section 2(a)(1)(A)).
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Penalties for Gross Negligence: A fine of up to $1,000 per unit is established for violations involving gross negligence (Section 2(a)(1)(B)).
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Penalties for Negligence: A fine of up to $500 per unit is established for violations involving negligence (Section 2(a)(1)(C)).
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Deterrence of Customs Evasion: The bill increases penalties for shipments involving transshipment through a third country to evade duties or conceal the country of origin (Section 2(a)(1)(D)).
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Prevention of Repeat Offenses: Penalties are increased for persons committing a second or subsequent violation during a 3-year period (Section 2(a)(1)(E)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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High Maximum Penalties: The total penalty for a shipment may not exceed 1,000 percent of the estimated retail value in the United States (Section 2(a)(1)(2)).
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Aggravated Penalties: If a violation involves both transshipment schemes and is a repeat offense, the penalty can reach 5 times the amount otherwise applicable (Section 2(a)(1)(F)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill protects consumers by deterring the entry of unauthorized and potentially unregulated nicotine delivery systems into the market. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill increases federal revenue through the imposition of significant civil penalties for smuggling and illegal importation.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill imposes extremely high financial penalties on importers who violate customs regulations through negligence or fraud.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill strengthens border integrity by increasing penalties for those attempting to evade customs through fraud or transshipment.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill establishes clearer legal consequences for fraudulent trade practices.
- 4/15/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.