THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is now requiring all vape products sold in the market to bear internal revenue stamps.
Under Revenue Memorandum Circular 59-2024, the BIR is mandating all vape importers and manufacturers to put internal revenue stamps on their products by June 1, 2024.
This means, the taxman said, it will now presume that any vape product not bearing BIR stamps has not been paid the required excise tax.
Moreover, the BIR added that importers and manufacturers of vape products were given the opportunity to order internal revenue stamps since May 8, 2024.
“Internal Revenue Stamps on Vape Products are now mandatory,” said BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr.
“Violators will not only suffer the seizure of their illicit vape products, the businessmen and possessors of these illicit vape products will also face criminal cases. These illicit traders destroy our economy by endangering the livelihoods of millions of Filipinos working under the tobacco and vape industry,” said Lumagui.
The BIR chief also urged the public to report illicit traders of vape products.
Under Section 263 of the National Internal Revenue Code of the Philippines, “The mere unexplained possession of articles subject to excise tax, the tax on which has not been paid in accordance with law, shall be punishable under the law.”
This means that not only are the sellers of illicit vape products liable, those who help in the storing or warehousing of the same will also be liable, according to the BIR.
Buyers of vapes without internal revenue stamps will also be liable as they are all possessors of an illicit vape product, it added. (GMA Integrated News)
