Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said all vape products sold in the local market should bear internal revenue stamps by June 1, 2024 under Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 59-2024.
Lumagui said the BIR now presumes that any vape product not bearing BIR stamps had not paid the required excise tax. Violators of the mandatory internal revenue stamps on vape products will result into the seizure of the illicit vape products and criminal cases against the businessmen and possessors of those illicit vape products, he said.
He said vape importers and manufacturers were given the opportunity to order these internal revenue stamps since May 8, 2024.
“Internal revenue stamps on vape products are now mandatory. Violators will not only suffer the seizure of their illicit vape products, the businessmen and possessors of these illicit vape products will also face criminal cases. These illicit traders destroy our economy by endangering the livelihoods of millions of Filipinos working under the tobacco and vape industry. Informants against these illicit traders will be welcomed by the BIR,” Lumagui said.
