The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) recently raided a total of 408 vape retailers found to be selling illicit vape products.
In a statement, the BIR said the raids were conducted during a nationwide enforcement activity last October 16.
The BIR has yet to provide estimates on the value of these products as well as the foregone taxes, as the total number of vape products confiscated is still undergoing inventory.
“The BIR nationwide raid against illicit vape retailers/resellers shows our aggressive stance against illicit vape,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said.
“I have ordered weekly raids against illicit vape retailers, wherever they may be found. There is no illicit vape smuggler if there is no illicit vape retailer/reseller,” the BIR chief added.
Illicit vape retailers/resellers were found in Bulacan, Manila City, Quezon City, San Juan City, Makati City, Las Piñas City, Pangasinan, Benguet, Isabela, Laguna, La Union, Pasay City, Albay, Iloilo, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Surigao del Norte, Butuan, Agusan del Sur, South Cotabato, Davao, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Ilocos Sur.
Lack of internal revenue stamps and lack of BIR registration of the vape products are the common violations of illicit vape retailers/resellers.
The nationwide raid was a simultaneous enforcement activity. Revenuers conducted a covert surveillance of vape retailers located in their respective regions and districts before the actual raid.
