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

DATA｜UK Retail Research Group IGD Says Convenience Tobacco and Vape Sales Fell 10.6%, With 15.4% Market Share Versus Alcohol's 15.1%; Top Rank at Risk in 2027

DATA｜UK Retail Research Group IGD Says Convenience Tobacco and Vape Sales Fell 10.6%, With 15.4% Market Share Versus Alcohol's 15.1%; Top Rank at Risk in 2027

Combined tobacco and vaping sales in UK convenience stores fell 10.6% year over year in the first half of 2026, making the category a major drag on channel performance, according to retail research organization IGD. Total convenience sales declined 1.2%, while sales excluding tobacco and vaping increased 0.7%. IGD's 2026 category-share figures show tobacco and vaping accounting for 15.4% of convenience sales, compared with 15.1% for alcohol. The organization forecasts alcohol could overtake tobacco and vaping as the largest category by sales value as early as 2027 if current trends continue. IGD expects the convenience market to increase from £48.6 billion in 2026 to £54.9 billion in 2031, a 2.5% compound annual growth rate, or 3.4% excluding tobacco and vaping.

PMI Pushes Smoke-Free Business in Latin America as Argentina Lifts Heated Tobacco Ban, Mexico City Share Tops 7%

PMI Pushes Smoke-Free Business in Latin America as Argentina Lifts Heated Tobacco Ban, Mexico City Share Tops 7%

Philip Morris International (PMI) showcased IQOS heated tobacco systems and nicotine pouch products at Technovation 2026 in Buenos Aires on October 7–8, presenting research on consumer attitudes, regulatory developments and illicit cigarette trade across Latin America. PMI Chief Global Growth Officer Stefano Volpetti said smoke-free products accounted for more than 7% of the Mexico City market. Argentina repealed its heated tobacco ban in May 2026 and introduced registration requirements for tobacco and nicotine products, while local media reported nicotine pouch sales in Mendoza. A PMI-commissioned survey found that only 8% of respondents across four Latin American countries were familiar with nicotine pouches. A separate KPMG study estimated illicit cigarette consumption at 77 billion sticks across 11 markets in Latin America and Canada in 2025.

German Bundestag Passes Tobacco Tax Hikes: Vape Liquid Duty to Reach €0.44/ml, Heated Tobacco Taxes to Rise and Cigarettes Seen Near €12 a Pack

German Bundestag Passes Tobacco Tax Hikes: Vape Liquid Duty to Reach €0.44/ml, Heated Tobacco Taxes to Rise and Cigarettes Seen Near €12 a Pack

Germany's Bundestag passed amendments to the Tobacco Tax Act on October 15, 2026, setting out annual excise tax increases from 2027 through 2030 for e-cigarette liquids, heated tobacco, cigarettes and other tobacco products. Under the Finance Committee's amended bill, duty on qualifying e-liquids will rise from €0.32/ml in 2026 to €0.44/ml in 2030, an increase of 37.5%. Heated tobacco will retain its tax calculation based on 80% of the corresponding cigarette excise duty. The average price of a 20-cigarette pack is projected to approach €12 by 2030, with some brands potentially reaching €14. The legislation is projected to generate approximately €11.8 billion in additional tax revenue over four years and remains subject to further legislative procedures.

EU Commission Clarifies Vaping, Smokeless Nicotine Use in Proposed Cardiovascular Checks

EU Commission Clarifies Vaping, Smokeless Nicotine Use in Proposed Cardiovascular Checks

The European Commission has clarified to 2Firsts that its proposed cardiovascular health checks would assess smoking, vaping and the use of smokeless nicotine products as part of patients’ medical histories. The Commission also said Member States may organise additional checks within their healthcare systems. In the same response, it pointed to JRC research on e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches that has fed into the evaluation of EU tobacco legislation.

NATO Executive Director David Spross Sees U.S. Vape Regulation Improving, Calls for More PMTA Authorizations and Warns of 2027 State Tax Pressure

NATO Executive Director David Spross Sees U.S. Vape Regulation Improving, Calls for More PMTA Authorizations and Warns of 2027 State Tax Pressure

The National Association of Tobacco Outlets is calling for more FDA marketing authorizations, greater transparency in the PMTA process and continued enforcement against unauthorized e-cigarettes, even as its executive director, David Spross, points to recent regulatory developments as signs of progress. At the state level, excise taxes, flavor restrictions and vapor product directories remain major issues for tobacco retailers. By August 2026, 17 states had enacted laws establishing state-managed e-cigarette directories or similar systems.

Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives

South Korea's Tobacco Plan Excludes 6-Methyl Nicotine as Customs Tightens Import Controls and Analog Liquid Imports Fall 83%

South Korea's Tobacco Plan Excludes 6-Methyl Nicotine as Customs Tightens Import Controls and Analog Liquid Imports Fall 83%

South Korea's government unveiled its first Tobacco Harm Management Basic Plan for 2027–2031 on October 29, 2026, proposing broader testing of vaping and heated tobacco products while excluding nicotine analogs such as 6-methyl nicotine. Synthetic nicotine came under tobacco regulation on April 24, and a June investigation found 6-methyl nicotine in 12 liquid inhalation products marketed as nicotine-free. Customs data released in September showed that imports of nicotine analog solutions fell 83.3%, from 12 metric tons in January–April to 2 metric tons in May–August. By September 20, imports had reached approximately 15 metric tons for the year, with 99.99% originating from China. Customs authorities have tightened pre-clearance testing and supply-chain documentation requirements, while the MFDS expects to complete its assessment of nicotine analog hazards by the end of 2026.

Related Topics

HEADLINE News Regulation

Related Read

DATA｜UK Retail Research Group IGD Says Convenience Tobacco and Vape Sales Fell 10.6%, With 15.4% Market Share Versus Alcohol's 15.1%; Top Rank at Risk in 2027

DATA｜UK Retail Research Group IGD Says Convenience Tobacco and Vape Sales Fell 10.6%, With 15.4% Market Share Versus Alcohol's 15.1%; Top Rank at Risk in 2027

PMI Pushes Smoke-Free Business in Latin America as Argentina Lifts Heated Tobacco Ban, Mexico City Share Tops 7%

PMI Pushes Smoke-Free Business in Latin America as Argentina Lifts Heated Tobacco Ban, Mexico City Share Tops 7%

German Bundestag Passes Tobacco Tax Hikes: Vape Liquid Duty to Reach €0.44/ml, Heated Tobacco Taxes to Rise and Cigarettes Seen Near €12 a Pack

German Bundestag Passes Tobacco Tax Hikes: Vape Liquid Duty to Reach €0.44/ml, Heated Tobacco Taxes to Rise and Cigarettes Seen Near €12 a Pack

EU Commission Clarifies Vaping, Smokeless Nicotine Use in Proposed Cardiovascular Checks

EU Commission Clarifies Vaping, Smokeless Nicotine Use in Proposed Cardiovascular Checks

NATO Executive Director David Spross Sees U.S. Vape Regulation Improving, Calls for More PMTA Authorizations and Warns of 2027 State Tax Pressure

NATO Executive Director David Spross Sees U.S. Vape Regulation Improving, Calls for More PMTA Authorizations and Warns of 2027 State Tax Pressure

2Firsts Perspectives

South Korea's Tobacco Plan Excludes 6-Methyl Nicotine as Customs Tightens Import Controls and Analog Liquid Imports Fall 83%

South Korea's Tobacco Plan Excludes 6-Methyl Nicotine as Customs Tightens Import Controls and Analog Liquid Imports Fall 83%