MANILA — Customs authorities in the Philippines have seized more than PHP50 billion worth of smuggled items between January and August of this year. The contraband, which included over PHP1 billion worth of smuggled tobacco and vape products, was detailed by Bureau of Customs (BOC) Assistant Commissioner and spokesperson Vincent Philip Maronilla during a briefing on the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program.
According to Philippines News Agency, the seized items also included motor parts, with many of the vape products traced back to China. Maronilla emphasized that legitimate importers of vape products must secure the necessary permits from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and ensure that their products are registered with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the BOC. For motor parts, importers are required to comply with regulatory standards, including securing permits from the Philippine Bureau of Standards and, in some cases, from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to assess engine emissions.
The BOC has intensified its operations along the country’s extensive shorelines, coordinating efforts with the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard to prevent the entry of illegal items, including vape products, motor parts, and agricultural goods. Maronilla noted that smugglers often exploit these shorelines to bring in contraband.
In a recent operation, the BOC uncovered approximately PHP94 million worth of smuggled motor parts, accessories, and suspected vape products in two separate warehouses located in Manila and Laguna.