THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted three containers of smuggled cigarettes and vape products worth P791 million at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
Customs records revealed that the shipment arrived at the MICP on May 11, 2024 from Singapore and was declared as 3,845 cases of tobacco products.
However, upon examination, it was found to contain 4,215 master cases of cigarettes and 1,053 master cases of heat sticks.
The seized shipment does not bear the mandatory printed graphic health warnings on its packaging in violation of R.A. 11900 or the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act of 2022” as implemented by Department of Trade and Industry, Administrative Order No. 22-16 series of 2022 and RA 10643 or “The Graphic Health Warnings Law of 2014, the BOC said.
MICP district collector Carmelita Tuazon said the consignee on record was not a registered importer of tobacco and other tobacco related products, in violation of National Tobacco Administration regulation..
“Our vigilant team is committed to upholding regulations and safeguarding consumers from potentially hazardous consumer products. This seizure aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to beef up our anti-smuggling efforts against illicit vape and tobacco products,” she said.