Top Takeaways:
- Philippine tax authorities destroyed nearly 450,000 illegal vape units linked to PHP 1.34 billion in unpaid excise taxes.
- The Bureau of Internal Revenue stated that the seized products lacked tax stamps, excise payments, or brand registration.
- Officials announced that enforcement against illegal vaping products will increase nationwide.
The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) conducted a nationwide destruction of illegal vape products on Monday, citing unpaid excise taxes and penalties totaling 1.34 billion Philippine pesos (US$22 million).
The operation was coordinated from the BIR National Office and implemented across multiple revenue regions. A total of 448,494 vapes were scheduled for destruction over three days after authorities identified the products as violating excise tax laws. The seized items were found to have unpaid excise taxes, lacked mandatory internal revenue stamps, or were unregistered vape brands.
BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza stated that the government will “not tolerate the sale of vape and vapor products without proper excise tax payments, which are verified through required tax stamps.”
Excise taxes on so-called sin products, including vaping products, aim to control consumption—especially among young people—while also raising revenue for public services like healthcare programs, the agency said.
The BIR said ongoing enforcement actions have led to the seizure of 742,778 illegal vape units so far, with an estimated tax liability, including penalties, of 2.73 billion Philippine pesos, or about US$46 million.
Mendoza warned that unstamped vape products pose safety risks, stating that the lack of tax stamps indicates regulatory evasion and raises concerns about the contents and safety of the devices.
The destruction was carried out in accordance with the Philippine Tax Code and relevant BIR issuances, with oversight from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to ensure environmental compliance. Representatives from the Department of Finance, Bureau of Customs, Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Health were present during the process.
Mendoza stated that enforcement efforts will escalate next year and encouraged consumers to report the sale of unstamped vape products.
