BOC seizes P5 billion smuggled vapes

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs said yesterday it seized at least P5 billion worth of smuggled vaporized nicotine or vape products from January to October as the BOC doubled down on its campaign against illicit vape trade.

“As a testament, the BOC’s intensified enforcement efforts, bolstered monitoring and inspection capabilities and coordinated operations resulted in the seizure of P5.070 billion worth of smuggled vape products (from January to October),” the bureau said in a statement.

The BOC added it is actively pursuing the prosecution of criminal cases against responsible officers of identified personalities.

The bureau said it remains steadfast in its commitment to implementing pertinent laws on vape as it seeks to curb the proliferation of smuggled products in the local market.

“The BOC will proactively demonstrate resilience in implementing stringent regulatory measures to ensure compliance with import standards and effectively preventing the entry of illicit vape products, including active prosecution of smuggling cases against persons involved,” it added.

The BOC noted that one of its recent crackdown operations involved smuggled disposable vapes with an approximate value of P12.6 million in a vape shop in San Pedro, Laguna.

The BOC also seized assorted imported vape devices, vape pods and disposable vapes worth P6.475 million, among other illicit items discovered in a separate operation conducted in Quiapo, Manila.

“These operations highlight the BOC’s unwavering determination to dismantle the illicit networks behind vape smuggling and the continuous strengthening of its enforcement capabilities,” it said.

“With the support of enhanced intelligence-sharing, the BOC remains vigilant in addressing emerging trends in illicit trade,” it added.

The BOC said it would strengthen its coordination with other government agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Trade and Industry, enforcement and intelligence agencies and private stakeholders to conduct joint operations and continuously advance effective enforcement actions against smuggled vape products.