BOC locks down Valenzuela warehouse with P1.18B illicit vapes, used clothing
ANOTHER operation conducted by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) agents on Thursday, March 13, of a warehouse in Valenzuela City yielded an estimated P1.18 billion worth of allegedly smuggled disposable vapes, vape pods, and other products.
BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio said that in addition to disposable vapes and vape pods, the CIIS-MICP team also found ukay-ukay (used) clothing, handheld and desk fans, phone chargers, Chinese food items, wireless headsets, disposable syringes, office chairs, wall panels, and other assorted merchandise.
“We are seeing many Filipinos, especially the younger generations, shift to vapes from traditional tobacco products. This shift in the market makes border control measures all the more important because we need to ensure we put safe, tested, and licensed vape products out there,” the Commissioner said.
“I’d like to reiterate to our kababayans that it is dangerous to use vape products, especially if they haven’t gone through regulatory testing and procedures. Using smuggled vapes can put your health at risk,” he added.
CIIS Director Verne Enciso said the seized vapes, used clothing, and fake goods stored in the Valenzuela warehouse came from China.
According to him, the total vape products found were worth more or less P320,069,900, while the allegedly smuggled ukay-ukay products and other general merchandise were valued at an estimated P860 million.
This brings the total value of smuggled goods found in the Valenzuela City warehouse to P1,180,069,900.
“We found various vape brands in the warehouse during the inspection. The total of P320 million for the vape products alone includes the excise taxes that the government should have collected from the importation of these products. Once again, our BOC personnel showed exemplary resilience and dedication in stopping these products from entering the domestic market,” Director Enciso said.
The other products, including used clothing and branded phone chargers, among others, found in the warehouse were valued at P860 million.
Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy explained why consumers must understand the importance of boycotting smuggled and counterfeit products.
“Consumers are being victimized twice by counterfeit and smuggled products. First, they buy products made of unsafe and substandard materials. These products pose health risks. And second, smuggled products do not have warranties and guarantees. So, they are not only inferior to their original counterparts, they also put their consumers at financial and health risks,” he said.
The CIIS-MICP temporarily placed padlocks and seals on the subject warehouse, while the inventory of the goods that the assigned Customs examiners will conduct is to be scheduled.
The CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), and respective warehouse representatives will witness the examination of the goods.
The warehouse and shop owners can face charges for violating Section 117 (regulated importation and exportation) and Section 1400 (misdeclaration in goods declaration) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) in relation to Section 1113 (property subject to seizure and forfeiture).
They will also face charges under Republic Act 8293, otherwise known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, Republic Act 10963, the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN Law), and the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Board Resolution No. 079-2005 (amended rules and regulations governing the exportation and importation of leaf tobacco and tobacco products).
