A Customs officer accounts for vape products and other items discovered at a raid in a warehouse in Valenzuela City on Thursday (March 13, 2025). The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said the items found inside the warehouse were estimated to be worth P1.18 billion. (Photo courtesy of BOC)
Customs authorities have sealed off a warehouse in Valenzuela City after discovering an estimated P1.18 billion worth of allegedly smuggled vape products, accessories, and other goods.
In a statement on Friday, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio confirmed that the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) conducted the operation on Thursday. Among the seized items were “ukay-ukay” (secondhand clothing), handheld and desk fans, phone chargers, Chinese food products, wireless headsets, disposable syringes, office chairs, wall panels, and other assorted merchandise.
Rubio emphasized the importance of stringent border control measures, especially as more Filipinos—particularly younger generations—transition from traditional tobacco products to vaping. “It is crucial that we ensure only safe, tested, and legally licensed vape products are available in the market,” he said.
According to CIIS Director Verne Enciso, the seized goods, including vapes, secondhand clothing, and counterfeit items, originated from China. The vape products alone were valued at approximately PHP320.06 million, while the “ukay-ukay” and other items were estimated to be worth PHP860 million.
The warehouse and store operators involved may face legal action for violating multiple provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), including Section 117 (regulated importation and exportation) and Section 1400 (misdeclaration in goods declaration), as well as Section 1113, which covers goods subject to seizure and forfeiture.
Additional charges may also be filed under Republic Act 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines), Republic Act 10963 (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act or TRAIN Law), and National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Board Resolution No. 079-2005, which regulates the import and export of tobacco and related products.
