Latest details of surprise inspections in the Philippines: The Director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue personally led the operation, and surprise inspections may become a regular practice
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Latest details of surprise inspections in the Philippines: The Director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue personally led the operation, and surprise inspections may become a regular practice
The team led by Romeo D. Lumagui, director of the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), raided the 2024 Philippine Vape Show (PVF) and seized a large number of illegal vape products that had not paid taxes, and stressed that they would continue to fight against tax evasion, even during holidays or public events.
Editor's Note: Editor's Note: On the afternoon of August 18, the two supremes received a tip-off that the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) raided the 2024 Philippine Vape Show (PVF) and seized some brand products that did not comply with local regulations. According to sources on the scene, Flava's new brand FLARE may be affected by this action. (Read more: Breaking News: Philippine Internal Revenue Bureau raids e-cigarette exhibition, Flava new brand may be affected)
According to the Manila Bulletin on August 19, on August 18, the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) raided the 2024 Philippine Vape Festival PVF (Philippine Vape Festival 2024). The raid targeted illegal e-cigarette products that did not comply with local regulations.
On the same day (August 18), a team led by BIR Director Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. raided this year's e-cigarette exhibition in Las Pinas City. Previous surveillance showed that untaxed e-cigarette products were sold at the event.
With the assistance of the BIR Illegal Trade Task Force (ITTF), Lumagui seized illegal products that lacked domestic tax stamps.
Some of the pictures on the scene are as follows:
The Philippine BIR Director seized illegal e-cigarettes that lacked domestic tax stamps. Source: Facebook
The Philippine BIR Director seized illegal e-cigarettes that lacked domestic tax stamps. Source: Facebook
The Philippine BIR Director seized illegal e-cigarettes that lacked domestic tax stamps. Source: Facebook
The Philippine BIR Director seized illegal e-cigarettes that lacked domestic tax stamps. Source: Facebook
The Philippine BIR Director seized illegal e-cigarettes that lacked domestic tax stamps. Source: Facebook
The Philippine BIR Director seized illegal e-cigarettes that lacked domestic tax stamps. Source: Facebook
The Philippine BIR Director seized illegal e-cigarettes that lacked domestic tax stamps. Source: Facebook
The Philippine BIR Director seized illegal e-cigarettes that lacked domestic tax stamps. Source: Facebook
The Philippine BIR Director seized illegal e-cigarettes that lacked domestic tax stamps. Source: Facebook
The Philippine BIR Director seized illegal e-cigarettes that lacked domestic tax stamps. Source: Facebook
The director of the Philippine BIR seized illegal e-cigarettes that lacked domestic tax stamps | Source: Facebook
Currently, the inventory of illegal e-cigarette products seized during the exhibition is still ongoing.
Lumagui stressed that
"We have issued all warnings to the e-cigarette industry. The BIR will raid all places where illegal e-cigarettes exist at any time, even on weekends or holidays. We will raid festivals. We will raid public markets. We will raid warehouses. You will face criminal charges for tax evasion."
He pointed out that despite repeated reminders to comply with tax regulations, illegal e-cigarette products were still openly displayed at the exhibition, which he described as a blatant contempt for the reasonable taxation of the e-cigarette industry.
"They even organized a festival full of illegal e-cigarettes. The full force of the BIR Illegal Trade Task Force will be used to crack down on this industry."
Earlier this month, the BIR raided the Taytay Tiangge market due to the presence of FLAVA and other illegal e-cigarette products. (Read more: The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue seized nearly 8,000 illegal e-cigarettes involving FLAVA brand products)
Just a few weeks ago, the BIR raided a building in Quezon City and confiscated a FLAVA vending machine. (Read more: The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue personally seized the FLAVA e-cigarette vending machine and encouraged the public to report illegal activities)
