BIR: 11k illegal vape products with P33M in tax liabilities seized in NCR, Calabarzon

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Tuesday said it seized a total of 11,309 illicit vape products with tax liabilities amounting to over P33 million following enforcement operations conducted last March 12 across Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, and Laguna.

In a news release, the BIR said the simultaneous operations were part of its coordinated crackdown targeting establishments selling untaxed vape products.

“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,” said BIR commissioner Charlito Mendoza.

In Muntinlupa City and Parañaque City, the BIR’s enforcement teams from Revenue Region No. 8B – South NCR discovered five establishments selling illicit vape products, later confirmed to be operating under different store names but owned by a single proprietor.

During the operation, authorities confiscated 2,509 vapor products, including nicotine salt pods, disposable vape units, and freebase bottles and pods, with corresponding tax liabilities estimated at P8,146,702.90.

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 at nearly P3 million. 

The BIR said investigators found that some units carried fake Internal Revenue Stamps, while others had no stamps affixed, which meant 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 vape products.

The BIR said authorities confiscated 6,065 vape products, with estimated tax liabilities of approximately P18.2 million.

In San Pedro City, Laguna, the BIR said 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.

They seized 1,544 vape products suspected to be illicit and untaxed, with corresponding estimated tax liabilities of P4,621,027.81.

The BIR said 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. — JMA, GMA Integrated News