Benise Balaoing

The Department of Trade and Industry confiscates vape products with flavors and packaging that can entice minors during an inspection in a store in Manila on February 16, 2023. Such products are prohibited under Repubilc Act 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

DTI-INSPECTION

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Several illicit vape sellers and retailers are facing tax evasion complaints filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue at the Department of Justice over a total of P711.3 million tax liability.BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui, Jr. led the filing of 75 complaints against vape sellers identified as Flava, Denkat, Flare and Tap Fog.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/8/19/dti-orders-e-commerce-platforms-to-remove-illegal-vape-listings-1601" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DTI orders e-commerce platforms to remove illegal vape listings</a></div>The complaints covered multiple violations of the Tax Code such as tax evasion, unlawful possession or removal of articles subject to excise tax without payment of the tax, and failure to file excise tax returns.Lumagui said the retailers were not registered with the BIR and the products were not approved by the Department of Trade and Industry.“Smuggled ano, nakita natin dahil hindi rehistrado sa BIR, hindi rehistrado rin iyan, hindi approved ng DTI, at hindi bayad ang excise tax,. Walang mga stamps ang ibinebentang produkto, mga vape products na ito,” Lumagui said.The filing of complaints was done simultaneously by the BIR national and regional offices across the country.The BIR added that last February, following the filing of cases by the bureau, courts have ordered the issuance of warrants of arrest against Tap Fog and its conspirators, with an estimated tax liability of P1.2 billion.The cases stemmed from a series of law enforcement operations such as raids and inspections which uncovered the rampant selling of untaxed vape.“Hindi natin alam kung ano ang produktong ito kung pasado ba sa quality standards, iyan ang unang-una kaya hindi dapat natin tinatangkilik iyan,” Lumagui said.

Illicit vape sellers and retailers are facing tax evasion complaints filed by the BIR over a total of P711.3 million tax liability.

Illicit vape sellers and retailers are facing tax evasion complaints filed by the BIR over a total of P711.3 million tax liability.

BIR files tax evasion complaints vs illicit vape retailers with P711-million liability

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BIR files tax evasion complaints vs illicit vape retailers with P711-million liability

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 20, 2025 12:37 PM PHT

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