Editor's note: On the afternoon of August 18, 2FIRSTS received a tip-off that the Philippines Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) conducted a surprise inspection of the 2024 Philippines e-cigarette exhibition (PVF), seizing brands products that did not comply with local regulations. (For more details: Breaking news: Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue conducts surprise inspection of e-cigarette exhibition New Flava brand may be affected / Latest details on Philippines surprise inspection: BIR Commissioner personally leads operation, surprise inspections may become routine)
According to a report from Malaya Business Insight on August 20, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in the Philippines seized over 5,000 e-cigarette products at the 2024 Philippine Vape Festival (PVF), with an estimated tax evasion amount of over 7 million pesos ($123,716 USD).
In a statement, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced that the Illegal Trade Task Force (ITTF) seized 5,385 illegal e-cigarette products during an enforcement operation on the opening day of the e-cigarette trade show (PVF). Additionally, it was found that all e-cigarette products on display and for sale did not have the required internal tax stamps.
The BIR also mentioned that the exhibition originally planned to hold a compliance summit to discuss compliance issues related to current regulations and policy changes.
BIR Director Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. stated that
They even proudly announced that they would be hosting a compliance summit. When we conducted a surprise inspection at the festival site, we immediately noticed that these e-cigarettes did not have the required tax stamps.
The Bureau of Investigation and Recovery (BIR) reported that during the operation, three booths and three delivery trucks were found to contain illegal e-cigarette products.
Lumague warned that
This is also a warning to all celebrities, influencers, and endorsers who are associated with illegal e-cigarette products. Do not have any connections with these individuals or companies, including those involved in organizing and planning the 2024 Philippine e-cigarette exhibition. Otherwise, you will be aiding these illegal e-cigarette traders in selling illicit products and become accomplices.
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