Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. reports that after a month of its nationwide crackdown against illicit vape retailers/resellers, the BIR has raided 817 illicit vape retailers/resellers and seized 563,284 units/pods of vape. This will amount to an estimate total tax liability of Php 415,359,656.72, inclusive of penalties. The crackdown against illicit vape retailer/resellers started with Commissioner Lumagui’s nationwide raid last October 16, 2024.
“817 illicit vape retailers/resellers raided. 563,284 units/pods of illicit vape seized. 415M in total tax liability. The BIR will continue its war against illicit vape. Report all stores with illicit vape to [email protected],” Commissioner Lumagui stated.
Commissioner Lumagui himself raided an illicit vape store along Tomas Morato, Quezon City where he discovered that the store offered illicit vape products through a “secret menu”. A customer can order illicit vape by browsing through the said menu and the employees will get the same from a bodega at the back of the store.
The aforementioned data comprises of all the raids and seizure against illicit vape from October 16 to November 22 of this year. Common violations of illicit vape retailers/resellers consist of non-affixture of internal revenue stamps, non-payment of excise taxes, and non-registration of vape brands.
Further, reports have been received by the BIR complaining of illicit vape and cigarettes being sold online. These reports suggest that due to the regular raids of the BIR against warehouses and stores with illicit vape and cigarettes, the retailers/resellers have shifted to selling these illicit products online.
“All online platforms and e-marketplaces should not offer for sale all illicit vape. Take them down. Block the online sellers from doing business in your platforms. Check for other keywords or phrases that these criminals use to hide or mask what they are really selling in your platforms. Report all online stores with illicit vape to [email protected],” Commissioner Lumagui stated.
