The Bureau of Customs (BOC) unequivocally condemns the illicit trade of vape products and all associated unlawful activities, assuring the public of our unwavering commitment to combat this issue.
Accordingly, BOC will steadfastly uphold the provisions outlined in Republic Act No. 11900, the ‘Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act,’ and Republic Act No. 10863, the ‘Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.’
In furtherance thereof, BOC will proactively demonstrate resilience in implementing stringent regulatory measures to ensure compliance with import standards and effectively prevent the entry of illicit vape products, including actively prosecuting smuggling cases against persons involved.
As a testament, the BOC’s intensified enforcement efforts, bolstered monitoring and inspection capabilities, and coordinated operations resulted in the seizure of PhP5.070 billion worth of smuggled vape products in just the first ten months of 2024 and the active prosecution of criminal cases against responsible officers of identified personalities.
The Bureau’s commitment to curbing the prevalence of vape smuggling was further demonstrated through the condemnation of 14,100 boxes of forfeited vape products worth PhP1.480 billion, discovered in Valenzuela in October 2023, which was completed on April 5, 2024. In addition, the BOC also successfully concluded the condemnation of 19,800 and 8,400 boxes of seized vape products on August 16, 2024.
Among its recent successful crackdown operations, the agency has uncovered smuggled disposable vapes with an approximate value of P12.6 million in a vape shop in San Pedro, Laguna, and seized assorted imported vape devices, vape pods, and disposable vapes worth PhP6.475 million, among other illicit items discovered in a separate operation conducted in Quiapo, Manila.
These operations highlight the BOC’s unwavering determination to dismantle the illicit networks behind vape smuggling and continuously strengthen its enforcement capabilities. With the support of enhanced intelligence-sharing, the BOC remains vigilant in addressing emerging trends in illegal trade.
With this, the BOC is committed to fostering regular coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Enforcement and Intelligence Agencies, and private stakeholders. This collaborative effort will ensure joint operations and the continuous advancement of effective enforcement actions against smuggled vape products.
