Philippine Tax Bureau Cracks Down on E-cigarette Online Sales

Jun.11.2024

BIR chief warns online platforms and consumers on e-cigarette tax compliance, cracking down on illegal sellers.

According to a report by Bilyonaryo on June 11th, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in the Philippines, Romeo D. Lumagui Jr., issued a stern reminder to online platforms and consumers that the online sale of e-cigarette products must comply with tax stamps, minimum prices, and other requirements of the tax authorities. Lumagui emphasized that only registered businesses are allowed to sell e-cigarette products on online platforms.

Lumagui revealed that the Bureau of Internal Revenue is actively monitoring online and offline businesses to see if they have violated any relevant regulations.

Online platforms should regulate their e-cigarette retailers to ensure they comply with tax stamps, minimum pricing, and other tax bureau requirements. If any violations are found in online posts or products, they should be taken down immediately.

Lumagui stated that they have received reports that some online sellers of e-cigarettes are not paying taxes, leading to lower prices for their products.

These illegal online sellers of e-cigarettes have disrupted the livelihoods of legitimate e-cigarette sellers.

Furthermore, the agency plans to continue cracking down on the illegal sales of e-cigarettes by strengthening oversight and coordinating with other government departments.

References:

[1] BIR cracks down on online sale of illicit vape

Also Read:

[1] Philippine Standard Authority Issues First PS License to E-Cigarette Manufacturers

[2] Review Urged for Philippines Senate Bill No. 11990 on E-Cigarettes

[3] Philippines to Implement New Vape Regulations on June, 3 Companies Already Applied for Registration

[4] BIR Continues Crackdown on Illegal E-Cigarette and Cigarette Trade

[5] Philippine President Marcos Orders Crackdown on Tobacco and E-cigarette Smuggling

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

Copyright

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Russia’s Perm Region Finalises Law Banning E-Cigarettes from March Next Year

The Governor of Russia’s Perm Region has confirmed that the newly adopted regional law banning vapes will take effect on March 1, 2026, despite lobbying from manufacturers and pressure from the federal level. The law prohibits the sale of all vaping products within the region, with penalties for violators, including fines for kiosks operating in residential areas.

Nov.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai

South Australia Issues Closure Orders to 100 Stores over Illicit Tobacco and Vapes

South Australia has imposed 28-day closure orders on 100 stores caught selling illicit tobacco and vapes since new ministerial powers took effect on 5 June. The State Government has seized about $50 million worth of illegal products, including over 41 million cigarettes, 140,000 vapes and 13,585 kilograms of loose tobacco. Two long-term closure orders have been issued and five more are before the Magistrates Court, supported by a $16 million illicit tobacco taskforce and tough new penalties.

Nov.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai

WHO Chief Warns of E-Cigarette Threat to Youth as COP11 Opens in Geneva

More than 1,400 delegates from 162 Parties convened in Geneva on November 17 for the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus opened the session with a stark warning: tobacco and nicotine companies are targeting schools as the “new front line” to recruit a generation of addicts through e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.

Nov.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai

PMI Japan Unveils Limited-Edition IQOS ILUMA i “Galaxy Blue,” Priced Around $47

Philip Morris Japan announced it will release the limited-edition IQOS ILUMA i “Galaxy Blue” across IQOS stores nationwide starting October 29, priced at JPY 6,980 including tax (about USD 47). The new model features a space-themed design, with a members-only promotion to run at the Nagoya IQOS store.