The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines has officially issued Departmental Administrative Order No. 25-10 of 2025 (DAO25-10), which regulates the import of vaping and novel tobacco products that are not certified to Philippine standards, requiring that only products that meet Philippine and international quality standards be allowed into the country. This order, based on several existing laws, strengthens controls on commercial and non-commercial imports, supports the implementation of existing mandatory certification requirements, combats illegal imports and regulatory circumvention, establishes a “whole-of-government” regulatory approach by covering all import channels, and urges relevant parties to comply with the new regulations.
Key Points:
- New Regulations: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines has issued Departmental Administrative Order No. 25-10 of 2025 (DAO25-10), regulating the import of vaping and novel tobacco products that are not certified to Philippine standards, requiring only products that meet Philippine and international quality standards.
- Legal Basis: Developed based on several laws, including the Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Vaping Products Regulatory Act, the Standards Act, the Philippine Consumer Code, and the Internet Transactions Act. Regulatory Scope: Covers both commercial and non-commercial imports, strengthening import controls.
- Policy Objective: Support the implementation of existing mandatory product certification requirements, combat illegal imports and regulatory circumvention, and establish a centralized and coordinated “whole-of-government” regulatory enforcement model.
- Requirement: Urge importers, travelers, and e-commerce operators to comply with the new import guidelines.
Philippines issues new order: import standards for new tobacco products
According to the DTI official website, on August 7, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines officially issued Departmental Administrative Order No. 25-10 of 2025 (DAO 25-10). This order regulates the import of non-Philippine Standard (Non-PS) certified nicotine vaping products, non-nicotine vaping products, and new tobacco products, ensuring that only products that meet Philippine and international quality standards are allowed into the country.
Departmental Executive Order No. 25-10 of 2025 is issued based on the enforcement authority of the Department of Trade and Industry under Republic Act No. 11900 (the Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Vaping Products Regulation Act), Republic Act No. 4109 (also known as the Standards Act), and Republic Act No. 7394 (the Consumer Code of the Philippines).
This policy clarifies and strengthens controls on commercial and non-commercial imports, including those conducted through e-commerce platforms, under Section 5 of Republic Act No. 11967 of 2023 (the Internet Transactions Act).
This executive order also supports the implementation of Departmental Executive Order No. 22-06 of 2022 (as amended and supplemented), which established mandatory product certification requirements. Furthermore, it targets illegal imports and regulatory circumvention, including products containing illegal substances and products that bypass mandatory review and testing.
By covering all import channels (including e-commerce, free ports, airports, and seaports), the policy establishes a centralized and coordinated “whole-of-government” regulatory and enforcement model.
The Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines urges all importers, travelers, and e-commerce operators to comply with the new import guidelines.
