The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has raided 817 illicit vape retailers and resellers in its recent month long nationwide crackdown with the estimated total tax liability from these operations amounting to P415.4 million.
In a statement yesterday, the BIR said it was able to seize 563,284 units/pods of illicit vape.
The nationwide raids and seizure activities against illicit vape were held from October 16 to November 22 of this year.
Common violations of illicit vape retailers/resellers are non-affixture of internal revenue stamps, non-payment of excise taxes and non-registration of vape brands.
Further, the BIR said it has received reports of illicit vape and cigarettes being sold online.
According to the tax agency, this suggests 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,” BIR commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said.
“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 commissioner@bir.gov.ph,” he added.
