Headlines of 2020

January

Maine negotiates with Metrc for marijuana track and trace; ITSA argues technology revolution can fast-track tax stamp growth in 2020; Russia continues with ambitious national track and trace project; Security Document Summit shows considerable growth; some progress, but not significant enough, in tackling illicit tobacco trade in Southeast Asia; automated inspection solution boosts Ramón Chozas’ tax stamp production by 15%; countries ineffective at identifying and containing illicit alcohol trade, suggests WCO 2019 Illicit Trade Report.

February

Blockchain technology advances for food and pharmaceutical track and trace; Royal Joh Enschedé wins Dutch tax stamp tender; Beemit develops late-stage digital print technology; De La Rue looks to the future with Authentication Division; Ghana tax stamps performing well; SICPA signs MoU with Turkmenistan for strategic partnership; Adriana Blanco appointed head of FCTC Secretariat; Fedrigoni completes acquisition of Ritrama; tobacco control developments in South Africa.

March

Ukraine announces roll-out of new alcohol tax stamp; UAE declares tax stamps for e-cigarettes mandatory; South Africa cannot afford to be losing $14 million a day to illicit trade; Kenya launches initiative to create a single stamp regime for all government agencies; excise and commercial tax stamps in Myanmar; ITSA launches tobacco control system blueprint; WCO 2019 Illicit Trade Report shows enforcement efforts and confrontation of illicit tobacco trade similar to that of alcohol. 

April

How coronavirus will likely impact the tax stamp industry (part 1); EU Court of Justice rejects International Tax Stamp Association’s legal appeal against EU Tobacco Products Directive; the difference between an authentication label and a tax stamp; South Africa likely to ‘start from scratch’ in search for track and trace provider; Philippines orders use of tax stamps on e-cigarettes; Indian states of Goa and Rajasthan announce measures to introduce liquor stamps; ITSA invites revenue authorities to join its ranks; Nepal halts security printing press tender; significant progress toward tobacco control in Laos; HP Indigo and JURA unveil ‘never seen before’ digital security features; 2019 Tobacco Control Scale released.

May

New alcohol stamps introduced in Ukraine; Pakistan court cancels tobacco track and trace system; a new paradigm needed for illicit trends data; roles and responsibilities to ensure genuine stamps aren’t suspected of being fake; the justification (or lack thereof) for increasing excise taxes to battle COVID-19; illicit trade booming in South Africa as track and trace tender cancelled; Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project shines a light on tobacco industry influence over track and trace systems.

June

Mozambique fuel marking scheme boosts tax revenues; Russia launches beer stamp pilot; ITSA hits back over tax stamp criticism; SICPA wins contract for alcohol excise solution in Oregon; review of OpSec’s Equinox technology; Vietnam wrestles with ever-increasing smuggling and trade fraud; how coronavirus will likely impact tax stamp industry (part 2); Telita Snyckers publishes ‘Dirty Tobacco’.

July

Nepal tax stamp provider fails to sign contract; Philippines fuel marking programme hits 10 billion litres; Thailand banks big on digital technologies to fight illicit trade; new document biometric technologies provide greater authentication and security for tax stamps; Venture Global Consulting asks when the cannabis revolution will happen; excise supply chains and the limits of blockchain.

August

Togo and DR Congo set to introduce new tax stamp and marking systems; ITSA says tax stamps can boost government finances in post-COVID world; Perum Peruri hopeful for cooperation with Nepal’s Inland Revenue Department despite tender withdrawal; ASPA and GS1 India sign MoU; South Africa’s alcohol and tobacco prohibition results in loss of revenue and booming illicit trade, highlighting systemic weaknesses; WCO Illicit Trade Report provides insight into impact of EU Tobacco Products Directive.

September

Illicit tobacco most reported counterfeit product in UK; Liberia introduces tax stamps for first time; illicit trade in Malaysia and its upgraded tax stamp programme; De La Rue awarded five-year contract in Ghana; Domino acquires Lake Image Systems; track and trace market set for strong growth, says market research report; TSTN launches online; SGS and Purity-IQ launch new service to authenticate cannabis products; Kezzler and Trace announce blockchain partnership; Applied DNA Sciences applies its molecular tag technology to cannabis industry; Oklahoma announces new track and trace contract with Metrc; the threat from technology insurgents on the tax stamp industry; writing an RFP for tax stamps and traceability systems; cloud-based solutions can provide greater efficiency in tax administration.

October

ITSA counters claims in Costa Rica that traceability systems are ineffective; Tanzania to launch third phase of ‘Electronic Tax Stamp’ programme; Bath University reveals tobacco industry not transparent in key EU consultation on tobacco tracking system; Guam tax agency opposes hiring private company to implement cigarette tax stamp programme; Europol helps close down one of Holland’s largest illegal cigarette factories; Ashton Potter and BostonCIO announce partnership; Authentix buys Traceless; STOP campaign focuses on South Africa’s lack of action against illicit tobacco; illicit trade thrives during the pandemic, says Sven Bergmann; Nepal issues new tender for excise tax stamps.

November

Next frontier in cannabis track and trace as US voters approve new state-wide ballot measures to legalise marijuana; Tax Stamp and Traceability Forum postponed until October 2021; FCTC Secretariat concerned tobacco control measures being pushed aside; Romania uses Eltronis interactive holographic labels to promote wine provenance and fight fraud; Ukraine government approves separate tax stamps for e-cigarettes; fuel marking in Philippines shows success versus oil smuggling; smart packaging and its uses for traceability and security; Cambodia juggles inflow of untaxed imported cigarettes against outflow of counterfeit goods to EU; Tax Stamp & Traceability report showcases opportunity and growth for tax stamps; the impact on consumption and tax revenues of eliminating illicit cigarette trade; YPB Group secures partner to access Thailand’s tax stamp market.

December

2020 – a tumultuous year in review; new Pakistan tender – here we go again; UK considers tougher sanctions against illicit tobacco as it prepares to leave EU; Ian Lancaster reviews new report ‘Tax Stamps & Traceability: A Market Analysis and Technical Update’; ITSA webinar draws large crowd of Latin American authorities.