Tanzania to Launch Phase 3 of ‘Electronic’ Tax Stamp Programme

In January 2019, Tanzania rolled out the first phase of its ‘Electronic Tax Stamp’ (ETS) programme, on cigarettes, spirits, wine and beer, followed seven months later by domestic and imported flavoured water and carbonated drinks.

And now Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Commissioner Edwin Mhede has announced the launch of the final phase on 1 November, on fruit juice, vegetable juice, bottled water, films and music products. The ETS system (which is provided by SICPA) consists of highly secure tax stamps and online marking technology with unique identifying codes.

The system gives the TRA near real-time access to the production data of domestic manufacturers, thereby enabling the authority to identify and curb revenue leakages, through advanced determination of excise duty amounts, and accurate estimation of VAT and corporate tax owed by each manufacturer