Camille Naredo

The Bureau of Internal Revenue seizes illicit vape products. Handout/BIR

The Bureau of Internal Revenue seizes illicit vape products.

Article (news)

Bureau of Internal Revenue

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773755352299RR 9A - Cavite (3).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Bureau of Internal Revenue seizes illicit vape products. Handout/BIR" width="960"/>The Bureau of Internal Revenue seizes illicit vape products. Handout/BIR</div>MANILA — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has seized more than 11,000 vape products in the capital region and nearby provinces, with the agency estimating over P33 million in tax liabilities during simultaneous operations held last week.In a statement, the BIR said the operations happened in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, and Laguna last March 12.Authorities seized 2,509 vape products, including nicotine salt pods, disposable vape units, and vape pods during their operations in 5 establishments in Muntinlupa City and Parañaque City with P8.14 million in tax liabilities.Operatives also confiscated nearly 1,200 disposable vape units in Valenzuela City and Caloocan City, with tax liabilities reaching nearly P3 million.“Investigators found that some units carried fake Internal Revenue Stamps, while others had no stamps affixed, indicating that no excise taxes had been paid,” the statement read.  In Cavite and Batangas, enforcement teams inspected 12 commercial establishments, 9 of which were found selling allegedly unregistered and unstamped vape products.This yielded the confiscation of over 6,000 products with tax liabilities reaching around P18.2 million.In San Pedro City, Laguna, meanwhile, operatives carried out inspections on establishments flagged through intelligence and surveillance operations, wherein a total of 1,544 suspected illicit and untaxed vapor products were seized, with estimated tax liabilities amounting to P4.62 million.BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza said this is part of the agency’s promise to intensify monitoring and enforcement against the illegal sale and distribution of untaxed vape products.BIR warned establishments caught selling illicit vapor products might face seizure of goods, tax assessments, and possible administrative and criminal charges under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and other applicable laws and regulations.The agency also urged business owners, distributors, and retailers to strictly comply with tax rules on excisable products, including proper registration and the use of Internal Revenue Stamps.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has seized more than 11,000 vape products in the capital region and nearby provinces, with the agency estimating over P33 million in tax liabilities during simultaneous operations held last week.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has seized more than 11,000 vape products in the capital region and nearby provinces, with the agency estimating over P33 million in tax liabilities during simultaneous operations held last week.

BIR confiscates illicit vapes in NCR, nearby areas with P33-M unpaid taxes

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BIR confiscates illicit vapes in NCR, nearby areas with P33-M unpaid taxes

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 17, 2026 09:55 PM PHT

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BIR

NCR

illicit vapes

unpaid taxes

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