Bureau of Internal Revenue Intensifies Crackdown on Illicit Vape Trade
In a significant enforcement action, government authorities have seized a massive haul of 11,309 illicit vapor products and uncovered more than PHP33 million in estimated tax liabilities. The simultaneous operations were conducted across multiple locations in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, and Laguna, marking a substantial blow to the illegal trade of unregulated vapor products.
Widespread Enforcement Across Multiple Provinces
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) revealed in a Monday statement that their operatives discovered five establishments in Muntinlupa and Parañaque City actively selling illicit vapor products. These stores operated under different business names but were all owned by a single proprietor, indicating a coordinated effort to circumvent tax regulations.
In Cavite and Batangas, authorities found nine commercial establishments selling unregistered and unstamped vapor products. This resulted in the confiscation of more than 6,000 units with estimated tax liabilities reaching PHP18.2 million.
Detailed Seizures and Tax Implications
Operatives from Revenue Region No. 5–CAMANAVA and Bulacan specifically seized 1,191 disposable vape units during enforcement operations in Valenzuela City and Caloocan City on March 12, 2026. The estimated excise tax liabilities from these seizures alone amount to nearly PHP3 million.
Authorities noted that some of the confiscated units carried fake internal revenue stamps, while others had no stamps affixed whatsoever. Both scenarios clearly indicate that no excise taxes had been paid on these products, constituting significant tax evasion.
In San Pedro, Laguna, authorities seized an additional 1,544 suspected illicit and untaxed vapor products, equivalent to approximately PHP4.6 million in estimated tax liabilities.
Government Response and Regulatory Concerns
The BIR emphasized the serious implications of this illicit trade, stating: "Illicit trade in vapor products deprives the government of much-needed revenue and exposes consumers to unregulated products that fail to comply with tax and regulatory requirements."
These coordinated operations were conducted on March 12 in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry and Philippine National Police. The enforcement actions followed BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza's directive to intensify monitoring and enforcement against establishments suspected of trading illicit vapor products.
The widespread nature of these seizures across multiple provinces demonstrates the scale of the illicit vape trade problem and the government's commitment to addressing both the revenue loss and public health concerns associated with unregulated vapor products.
