P40.5 million misdeclared vape products seized at Manila port

On Aug 7, 2025

Bureau of Customs officials headed by Assistant Commissioner Vincent Maronilla (center) inspecting the seized vape products at the Manila International Container Port worth more than P40.5 million. Joining Maronilla are (from left) Customs Police Director Butch Tibayan, MICP Collector Rizalino Torralba, Intelligence Director Tom Narcise and Intelligence Deputy Commissioner Romeo Rosales (photo credit: BOC-PIAD).

THREE container vans loaded with vape products and other regulated goods were finally seized at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) after being on hold (release) order since the start of the year for misdeclaration.

Bureau of Customs Assistant Commissioner and spokesperson, Atty. Vincent ‘Jett’ Maronilla, along with Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Romeo Allan ‘RR’ Rosales, District Collector Rizalino Jose C. Torralba, Customs Police Director Butch Tibayan and Customs Intelligence (CIIS) Director Tom Narcise, finally conducted a one hundred percent physical examination of the shipment last July 14 that was valued at P40.5 million and falsely misdeclared as “kitchenware” from China.

Found during the inspection are 81,000 pieces of assorted vape products, along with sacks of fully refined paraffin wax and other misdeclared items.

After the inspection, Collector Torralba on July 23, finally issued the Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) against the shipment.

The name of the erring consignee was not revealed, however, as the BOC claimed it is still undertaking a “case build-up” to identify and prosecute those behind the smuggling attempt.