BIR targets illicit vape traders, charges to come in Q1 2025
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has vowed to continue targeting importers and distributors of illicit vape products this year.
Speaking at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing on Monday, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said they are now preparing possible charges against vape importers and distributors apprehended in late December 2024.
READ:
“Maybe in the first quarter, we will file many cases against illicit vape traders. Hopefully, this will serve as a lesson to stop supporting illicit vape products,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English.
“When we started the massive raids against these illicit traders, what they did — especially those with establishments — was display the compliant products with tax stamps, while hiding the illegal ones and continuing to sell them,” Lumagui added.
READ: DTI to crack down on vape products without clearance sticker
Article continues after this advertisementThe BIR collected 560,000 units of vape products, amounting to P415 million in tax liabilities in 2024.
Article continues after this advertisementMeanwhile, last January 10, the bureau disclosed a P40 billion revenue loss in excise tax from 2021 to 2024.
Excisable products include vapor products, alcohol, petroleum, and tobacco, among others.
