The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) ordered its revenue offices to conduct nationwide raids against illicit vape retailers and resellers.
BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. directed revenue regions and revenue district offices to monitor and raid all establishments with illicit vape products.
The BIR held a simultaneous and nationwide raid against retailers and resellers on Oct. 16, 2024. The agency said it was targeting retailers/resellers because they are enablers of vape smugglers.
It said that if resellers would not patronize vape smugglers, the latter would have no choice but to comply with BIR regulations.
“The illicit vape industry has been repeatedly warned to comply with BIR regulations. Despite multiple chances, they refuse to follow the law. The BIR will proceed with the full deployment of enforcement activities against illicit vape retailers and resellers. Expect regular raids. Expect criminal cases,” Lumagui said.
The BIR encouraged all informants, whether from the public and private sector, to report establishments that are involved in illicit vape to the BIR.
Lumagui said common violations include failure to affix BIR tax stamps, register as a manufacturer/importer, register the vape product itself and follow the minimum floor price.
“Resellers of illicit vape will be raided. They are the enablers of vape smugglers. If there are no resellers, there will be no smugglers. The smugglers will be forced to comply with BIR regulations” Lumagui said.
Lumagui led several battles in the BIR’s war against illicit vape, one of which was the Sunday raid of the Philippine Vape Festival 2024 on Aug. 18, 2024, which went viral online.
The BIR also raided the Taytay Tiangge Market because of the presence of Flava and other illicit vapes.
The BIR also raided a building in Quezon City in July 2024 where a Flava vending machine was confiscated.
There were also raids on warehouses with illicit vape in Rizal, Manila and Laguna in March and April 2024.
