Philippines Seizes $80M in Illegal Vapes Over 10 Months

Nov.19.2024

Philippines Seizes $80M in Illegal Vapes Over 10 Months

The Philippines Bureau of Customs seized approximately $86.5 million worth of vapes during enforcement operations in the first ten months of 2024.

The Philippines Bureau of Customs announced that its ongoing crackdown on smuggled e-cigarette products resulted in the seizure of items valued at $86.5 million during the first ten months of 2024, the Manila Times reported on November 19.

Recent operations included the confiscation of disposable vapes worth $220,000 in Laguna province and various e-cigarette devices, pods, and disposable products valued at $110,000 in Quezon City, Manila.

"These operations highlight the BOC's unwavering determination to dismantle the illicit networks behind vape smuggling and the continuous strengthening of its enforcement capabilities," Customs Chief Bienvenido Rubio said.

He also added that the agency works closely with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and enforcement and intelligence units to do its job.

"With the support of enhanced intelligence-sharing, the BOC remains vigilant in addressing emerging trends in illicit trade," Rubio said.

References:

[1] Seized smuggled vapes hit P5.07B as of October

Also Read:

[1] Philippine BIR to Intensify Crackdown on Illegal E-cigarette Market as Revenue Falls Short

[2] Philippines BIR E-Cigarette Tax Revenue Reaches $17M, Covers Less Than 10-20% of Market

[3] Philippine President invited to international tobacco summit to focus on fight against illicit tobacco trade

[4] Philippines BIR seizes over 500 illegal e-cigarette retailers with $3.09 million in tax liabilities

[5] Philippines BIR Launches Nationwide Raid on Illegal E-Cigarette Sellers

[6] Philippines DTI: Unregulated E-cigarette Products Flood Market, Urges Legal Purchases

[7] Philippine Customs Seizes $120M Worth of Smuggled e-Cigarettes

#Asia #Disposable e-cigarettes #Philippines #Customs.

China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact

China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact

FDA Proposes Foreign Tobacco Factory Registration Rule to Tighten Import Oversight

FDA Proposes Foreign Tobacco Factory Registration Rule to Tighten Import Oversight

The FDA has proposed a rule requiring foreign tobacco manufacturers to register facilities and list products before exporting to the U.S. If finalized, the rule could affect overseas OEM/ODM factories, contract manufacturers, specification developers, bulk product makers, and repackaging or relabeling firms. FDA says the proposal would help identify unauthorized imported tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

WHO’s First Global Report on Nicotine Pouches: Harm Reduction Questions Remain Amid Global Regulatory Warning

WHO’s First Global Report on Nicotine Pouches: Harm Reduction Questions Remain Amid Global Regulatory Warning

Ahead of World No Tobacco Day 2026, WHO released its first global report on nicotine pouches, warning that rapid market growth, youth-oriented marketing and weak regulation are converging. 2Firsts views the report as an important warning, but not a complete risk assessment, with harm-reduction questions still unresolved.

Fifth Circuit Hears Challenge to FDA’s Standard for Reviewing Flavored Vape Applications

Fifth Circuit Hears Challenge to FDA’s Standard for Reviewing Flavored Vape Applications

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit heard oral arguments on Tuesday in a case brought by seven small vape-liquid companies challenging the Food and Drug Administration’s denial of marketing authorization for their flavored electronic nicotine products.

Apr.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai

South Korea’s Cigarette Smoking Rate Falls to 17.9%, E-Cigarette Use Continues to Rise

South Korea’s Cigarette Smoking Rate Falls to 17.9%, E-Cigarette Use Continues to Rise

Data released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) showed South Korea’s conventional cigarette smoking rate fell to 17.9% in 2025, while heated tobacco and liquid e-cigarette use continued to rise, particularly among young adults and women.

From Brands to Supply Chains: 2Firsts Builds a PMTA Compliance Service System for the U.S. Market

From Brands to Supply Chains: 2Firsts Builds a PMTA Compliance Service System for the U.S. Market

2Firsts supports new tobacco and nicotine companies entering the U.S. market with full-chain PMTA compliance services.

South Korea Moves Against Synthetic Nicotine Regulatory Gap as Three Companies Face Tobacco Business Act Probe

South Korea Moves Against Synthetic Nicotine Regulatory Gap as Three Companies Face Tobacco Business Act Probe

South Korea’s Ministry of Finance and Economy said on May 4 that it requested the Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency and Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency to investigate three sales companies on suspicion of violating the Tobacco Business Act.

May.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Related Topics

HEADLINE News Regulation

Related Read

FDA Proposes Foreign Tobacco Factory Registration Rule to Tighten Import Oversight

FDA Proposes Foreign Tobacco Factory Registration Rule to Tighten Import Oversight

WHO’s First Global Report on Nicotine Pouches: Harm Reduction Questions Remain Amid Global Regulatory Warning

WHO’s First Global Report on Nicotine Pouches: Harm Reduction Questions Remain Amid Global Regulatory Warning

Fifth Circuit Hears Challenge to FDA’s Standard for Reviewing Flavored Vape Applications

Fifth Circuit Hears Challenge to FDA’s Standard for Reviewing Flavored Vape Applications

South Korea’s Cigarette Smoking Rate Falls to 17.9%, E-Cigarette Use Continues to Rise

South Korea’s Cigarette Smoking Rate Falls to 17.9%, E-Cigarette Use Continues to Rise

From Brands to Supply Chains: 2Firsts Builds a PMTA Compliance Service System for the U.S. Market

From Brands to Supply Chains: 2Firsts Builds a PMTA Compliance Service System for the U.S. Market

South Korea Moves Against Synthetic Nicotine Regulatory Gap as Three Companies Face Tobacco Business Act Probe

South Korea Moves Against Synthetic Nicotine Regulatory Gap as Three Companies Face Tobacco Business Act Probe