BIR SEIZES 11,309 ILLICIT VAPES; NETS OVER ₱33M IN UNPAID TAXES IN 5-REGION CRACKDOWN

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The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), seized 11,309 illicit vapor products and uncovered over ₱33 million in estimated tax liabilities during simultaneous enforcement operations conducted on March 12 across Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, and Laguna against traders selling untaxed vape products.

The operations formed part of a coordinated crackdown covering five regions and targeting establishments engaged in the illegal sale and distribution of untaxed vapor products.

Illicit trade in vapor products deprives the government of much-needed revenue and exposes consumers to unregulated products that fail to comply with tax and regulatory requirements.

The operations were carried out following BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza’s directive to intensify monitoring and enforcement against establishments suspected of trading illicit vapor products.

Multiple BIR revenue regions were mobilized to conduct synchronized inspections and tax compliance verification drives in areas identified through intelligence gathering and verification. Participating offices included Revenue Region No. 8B – South NCR, Revenue Region No. 5 – CAMANAVA and Bulacan, Revenue Region No. 9A – CaBaMiRo, and Revenue Region No. 9B – LaQueMar.

In Muntinlupa City and Parañaque City, enforcement teams from Revenue Region No. 8B – South NCR discovered five establishments selling illicit vapor products, later confirmed to be operating under different store names but owned by a single proprietor. Authorities confiscated 2,509 vapor products, including nicotine salt pods, disposable vape units, and freebase bottles and pods, corresponding to ₱8,146,702.90 in estimated tax liabilities.

Meanwhile, operatives from Revenue Region No. 5 – CAMANAVA and Bulacan seized 1,191 disposable vape units during enforcement operations in Valenzuela City and Caloocan City, with estimated excise tax liabilities close to ₱3 million. Investigators found that some units carried fake Internal Revenue Stamps, while others had no stamps affixed, indicating that no excise taxes had been paid.

In Cavite and Batangas, enforcement teams from Revenue Region No. 9A – CaBaMiRo inspected 12 commercial establishments, nine of which were found trading unregistered and unstamped vapor products. Authorities confiscated 6,065 vapor products, with estimated tax liabilities of approximately ₱18.2 million.

In San Pedro City, Laguna, enforcement teams from Revenue Region No. 9B – LaQueMar and Revenue District Office No. 057 – West Laguna conducted inspections at establishments identified through intelligence gathering and surveillance. Authorities seized 1,544 vapor products suspected to be illicit and untaxed, corresponding to ₱4,621,027.81 in estimated tax liabilities.

Across the five regions, the coordinated crackdown resulted in the seizure of 11,309 illicit vapor products and the uncovering of more than ₱33 million in unpaid taxes linked to the illegal trade of untaxed vape products.

Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza said the operations highlight the BIR’s intensified campaign against illicit trade in excisable goods.

“These operations are part of the BIR’s intensified enforcement against the illegal sale and distribution of untaxed vapor products. In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen tax compliance and protect government revenues, the Bureau will continue to conduct coordinated enforcement actions against businesses that evade their tax obligations,” Mendoza said.

“Consistent with the policy direction of Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go under the Department of Finance’s Big Bold Reforms to strengthen revenue administration and curb illicit trade, the BIR will further intensify monitoring and enforcement operations to ensure full compliance with tax laws. Those engaged in the illegal sale of untaxed vapor products should expect decisive enforcement action from the Bureau,” he added.

The BIR warned that individuals and establishments found selling illicit vapor products may face seizure of goods, tax assessments, and possible administrative and criminal cases under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

The agency also urged business owners, distributors, and retailers to strictly comply with tax laws governing excisable products, including proper registration and the affixture of Internal Revenue Stamps, and encouraged the public to report suspected sale or distribution of untaxed or illicit excisable products to help safeguard government revenues and promote fair competition.

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