Understanding the Current Vape Shortages: Why Raz and Geek Bar Are Hard to Find at Shops

Dear Press Vape Community,

Hey there, Press Vape community! If you've been browsing our website lately and noticed that favorites like Raz and Geek Bar are out of stock or in limited supply, you're not alone. We've been getting a lot of questions about this, and as always, we're committed to keeping things transparent. Today, we're diving into what's causing these nationwide shortages, how it's affecting our inventory, and what you can do in the meantime. Don't worry—while it's a bump in the road, the vape world is evolving, and we've got plenty of exciting options to keep your experience going strong.

The Root Causes: Tariffs, Customs, and Regulatory Shifts

The main culprit behind the shortages of popular disposable vape brands like Raz and Geek Bar boils down to a mix of trade policies and increased enforcement here in the US. Most of these products are imported from China, and recent changes have made it much tougher to get them across the border.

First off, tariffs on Chinese imports have spiked dramatically. Back in April 2025, these tariffs hit as high as 145% before settling at around 30%, making it way more expensive for suppliers to bring in stock. This isn't just a minor hike—it's led to a huge drop in shipments. Official data shows that vape imports from China to the US plummeted to just 71 shipments in May 2025, compared to nearly 1,200 the year before. Wholesalers who used to receive 100 boxes a week are now lucky to get 10, which trickles down to retailers like us.

On top of that, there's been a ramp-up in customs seizures and FDA actions targeting unauthorized vapes. Brands like Geek Bar and Raz aren't officially approved by the FDA for sale in the US, but they've been popular due to lax enforcement in the past.Now, with a new FDA commissioner cracking down, seizures have increased—think big hauls in places like Chicago, where vapes were hidden in shipments disguised as shoes or toys. Some states are jumping in too; for example, Texas banned Chinese-made vapes in June 2025, and Indiana started enforcing stricter rules on disposables without proper approvals as of July 1, 2025These factors combined have created a country-wide shortage, with many shops (including ours) running low or completely out of Raz and Geek Bar products. Social media is buzzing about it too—folks are sharing stories of empty shelves and wondering if these brands are fading out permanently

How This Affects Press Vape and What to Expect

At Press Vape, we've felt the pinch directly. Our suppliers are dealing with these delays and higher costs, which means Raz and Geek Bar items are currently out of stock on our website. We expect this limitation to continue for the upcoming weeks as the industry adjusts to these changes. We're working hard to restock where possible, but availability will be spotty until things stabilize.

The good news? This isn't the end of great vaping—it's an opportunity to try something new. Manufacturers are already adapting by shifting production to places like Indonesia to dodge tariffs, and the industry is known for being highly adaptable. Prices might tick up a bit in the short term, but with high demand, we believe quality options will bounce back stronger.

Alternatives to Keep You Vaping

While we wait for more stock, we've got a fantastic selection of other brands that deliver similar satisfaction without the wait. Check out:

• Lost Mary: Smooth hits and bold flavors like Juicy Peach Ice, with long-lasting devices up to 35,000 puffs.
• Fifty Bar: USA-made for premium dessert vibes, ensuring reliability and quality.
• Adjust My Cool - Flavor - sweetness : Adjustable Vapes with made with Quality.

If you're open to a change, consider switching to refillable devices and e-juices. They're more customizable, eco-friendly, and often cheaper in the long run. Our team recommends starting with something simple like the Caliburn kit paired with flavors from Naked100 or I Love Salts. Head to our site or store, and we'll hook you up!

Looking Ahead with Optimism

Challenges like this remind us how dynamic the vape scene is, but we're confident it'll lead to better, more innovative products down the line. At Press Vape, transparency is key, so we'll keep you updated on restocks and new arrivals right here on the blog and through our newsletter.

A huge thank you to all our customers for your patience and loyalty—you're what makes Press Vape special. If you have questions or need recommendations, drop us a line. Let's keep those good vibes and smooth clouds rolling!

Stay tuned,
The Press Vape Team
July 11, 2025