By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized 112,750 unregistered vape products worth more than PHP95.7 million at the Port of Manila.
BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said these items were confiscated in separate inspections on March 18, the bureau said in a news release Thursday.
He said the first shipment was flagged based on derogatory information received by the BOC’s Enforcement Group, prompting the issuance of a Pre-Lodgement Control Order (PLCO) requested by Deputy Commissioner Teddy Raval that led to the inspection of two 40-foot-high cube containers.
The examination uncovered 233 cartons containing 46,600 assorted flavored vape products worth PHP23.3 million and supposed duties and taxes amounting to PHP30.2 million.
Port of Manila District Collector Alexander Gerard Alviar is set to issue a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the shipments for violation of Section 1113 in relation to Section 1400 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and Republic Act (RA) 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.
Meanwhile, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service – Port of Manila team requested the issuance of a PLCO against three additional shipments suspected of containing unmanifested goods.
Upon physical examination, Customs examiners discovered 66,150 undeclared vape products hidden among boxes of insulated cups. These have an estimated value of PHP72.4 million and supposed duties and taxes worth PHP39.3 million.
Raval said the shipments arrived from China and were declared as “plastic insulation.”
The BOC, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Philippine National Police, continues to enforce RA 11900 to uphold product standards and prevent minors’ access to vape products. (PNA)
