3 Chinese Containers Seized in Philippines – ?40.5M Vape Smuggling Scandal
Publish Time: 2025-08-06 Origin: Site
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 (≈$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—stop 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