Vape products worth PHP 19M, seized in BOC raids

PHP 19 million worth of smuggled vape products have been seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in both Manila and Laguna, according to a report from the Inquirer.

This happened over the weekend, wherein an operation was conducted by the BOC’s Custom Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS)-Manila International Container Port, the Enforcement and Security Service, and the Philippine Coast Guard. 

According to CIIS Director Verne Enciso, about PHP 6.5 million worth of devices had been found in a warehouse in Quiapo Manila, as well as PHP 75 million worth of smuggled motorcycle parts. In total, the smuggled products found were estimated to be worth PHP 81. 475 million.

The BOC then seized an estimated PHP 12.6 million worth of disposable vapes that had also been smuggled into the country.

Regarding this, BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said that the owners of the warehouses and shops involved were in violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. 

They could also be charged under the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, as well as the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Board Resolution, Manila Standard reports.

The BOC has since stated that the safety of these vapes was heavily compromised given their unregulated entry into the market.

Since their discovery, the BOC has padlocked and sealed both locations. 

According to Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy, it is due to the growing popularity of vapes that the BOC has intensified its border patrols and has worked to garner more information on the illegal trafficking of the given products.

Growing bans on vapes

As per the Daily Tribune, the Department of Trade and Industry released a Department Administrative Order (DAO) earlier in 2024 that suspended the online sale of vape threats given the growing number of minors purchasing them.

More and more places in the Philippines have also started to ban the use of vapes in public altogether; Baguio, Pasig, and Valenzuela are only some examples, while places like Caloocan, Muntinlupa, Taguig, Navotas, and Quezon City, have created ordinances regulating the location of vape stores and placing heavier restrictions on customers who are minors.

As vapes grow more and more popular, and more and more Filipino youth are getting their hands on them, many are urging for more restrictive laws to ensure they will no longer have access to these products.