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The Philippines Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted three misdeclared containers from China at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), uncovering a massive smuggling operation involving 81,000 e-cigarette products and refined paraffin wax, collectively valued at ?40.5 million (¡Ö$700,000).

Key Details:

• Date of Seizure: July 31, 2025 (after a 100% physical inspection on July 14).

• False Declaration: Shipment labeled as "kitchenware" but contained illegal vapes and regulated goods.

• Legal Violations: Violates Sections 117, 1400, 1401, and 1113 of the CMTA, Republic Act 11900 (vape regulation law), and DTI trade rules.

• Current Status: Goods under forfeiture proceedings; criminal investigation underway to prosecute involved parties.

Officials¡¯ Warnings:

? Vincent Philip Maronilla (BOC Assistant Commissioner):

• "Misdeclared ¡®mixed cargo¡¯ shipments are high-risk for smuggling. Demand fuels supply¡ªstop buying illegal vapes!"

? Rizalino Jose C. Torralba (MICP Collector):

• "Vape smuggling endangers public health and the economy. We¡¯re tightening borders to block illicit goods."

Government Crackdown:

The BOC is intensifying efforts to align with President Marcos Jr.¡¯s vision of secure trade, leveraging:

• AI-driven cargo profiling

• Inter-agency coordination

• Proactive intelligence operations