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Filtered by Tax Stamps — 48 articles

22 June 2026

3 min read

Security Begins Below the Surface – and Extends Far Beyond

For decades, tax stamp programmes have relied on multiple layers of overt, covert and forensic security to protect government revenues and combat illicit trade. Yet, as counterfeiters become increasingly adept at reproducing certain visible security features and copying digital identifiers, the importance of those layered defences is growing.

Companies Covert & Forensic Security Overt Security

Nicola Sudan

31 May 2026

2 min read

Sri Lanka Credits Tax Stamps with 60% Rise in Alcohol Excise Revenue

The Excise Department of Sri Lanka says excise revenue from alcoholic beverages has increased by more than 60% since the introduction of tax stamps on liquor bottles in 2022.

Countries Excise Products Tax Stamps

Aftab Baloch

20 April 2026

4 min read

Bangladesh Tobacco – Time to Move Beyond Traditional Tax Stamps

Despite the continuing high prevalence of tobacco consumption in Bangladesh, the country has demonstrated strong policy intent, being among the earliest signatories to the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), and with a commitment to achieving tobacco-free status by 2040. While several initiatives have been undertaken to increase tobacco taxes, the desired fiscal and public health outcomes have yet to be fully realised, largely due to structural and enforcement limitations.

Tax Stamps

20 April 2026

4 min read

India: Rajasthan Debuts Multi-Colour Codes, Goa Adopts Tax Stamps

The Rajasthan State Excise Department has strengthened its alcohol control framework with the introduction of a new generation of tax stamps, combining enhanced physical security with upgraded digital verification. The move reflects a broader shift among Indian states towards more robust, multi-layered approaches to combating illicit trade.

Tax Stamps

Nicola Sudan

25 March 2026

2 min read

Guam Launches Tobacco Stamps – Nine Years After They Came Into Law

Nearly a decade after legislation was first enacted, the US island territory of Guam has begun implementing a tax stamp programme on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Countries Tax Stamps

Nicola Sudan

25 March 2026

5 min read

How Variable Identifiers on Tax Stamps Have Evolved from Stamp Control to Product Identity

At first glance, the small variable code printed on a tax stamp or excise label may appear to serve a single purpose: identifying the stamp. In reality, however, these codes have evolved into one of the most powerful tools available to governments for controlling excisable goods. Depending on how a system is designed, the same printed code can perform roles ranging from simple stamp inventory management to full production monitoring and supply chain traceability.

Tax Stamps Track and Trace

Nicola Sudan

4 March 2026

3 min read

Helix-Lock – The Case for Hybrid Tax Stamps

In an era where illicit trade adapts as quickly as enforcement evolves, one question facing revenue authorities is how to secure excise products in a way that balances public recognition, operational efficiency, and long-term resilience.

Tax Stamps

Nicola Sudan

2 Feb. 2026

2 min read

Spectra Systems-SICPA Consortium Wins Bid for UK Vape Stamps

Spectra Systems Corp has announced that its security printing arm, Cartor Security Printers (CSP), is the winning bidder for an HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) contract to produce and supply vaping duty stamps. The CSP bid was submitted in consortium with SICPA.

Companies Countries Tax Stamps

Chander S Jeena

2 Feb. 2026

2 min read

Nanosilikhan Partners with TPI to Elevate Tax Stamp Security in India

Nanosilikhan Advanced Materials (formerly Nanobrick), a South Korean company specialising in nanoscale technologies with sophisticated overt and covert features, has entered into an exclusive partnership with Track Pack Innovation (TPI), a provider of eco-friendly, tamper-evident alcohol stamps to several Indian states.

Advanced Materials Companies Countries

Chander S Jeena

2 Feb. 2026

3 min read

Hong Kong Customs Reports Successful Trial of Tax Stamps

In the February 2025 issue of Tax Stamp & Authentication News™, we reported on Hong Kong Customs’ launch of a three-month pilot scheme under its new tobacco duty stamp system. The initiative introduced trial stamps on duty-paid cigarette packs to curb illicit trade and strengthen tax compliance.

Countries Tax Stamps

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Chander S Jeena

20 Jan. 2026

3 min read

Hong Kong Customs Reports Successful Trial of Tax Stamps

Countries Tax Stamps

Nicola Sudan

22 Dec. 2025

2 min read

Heidelberg Brings Polar Finishing Automation In-House

Earlier this year, industrial printing press manufacturer Heidelberger Druckmaschinen acquired the brand rights, technology and intellectual property of Polar, a German producer of cutting and finishing systems for packaging and labels, including tax stamps.

Tax Stamps Technology & Systems

Linda Desrochers

22 Dec. 2025

4 min read

Canada’s Excise Stamp Journey – From Tobacco to Cannabis to Vapes

This article describes the journey of excise stamps in Canada, including how they have evolved and why they matter.

Case Studies Countries Excise Products

Nicola Sudan

4 Dec. 2025

3 min read

Ghana Extends Tax Stamps to Refined Edible Oils

Ghana’s Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced the introduction of a tax stamp regime on refined edible oils, modelled after the stamps used in the beverage industry.

Countries Excise Products Tax Stamps

Nicola Sudan

4 Dec. 2025

2 min read

New Guyana Alcohol Stamps Reflect Global Shift

On 1 November, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) launched three new tax stamps on alcoholic beverages, together with an automated monitoring system for strengthened product traceability. The system was developed in partnership with GRA’s existing stamp provider Canadian Bank Note Company (CBN), which also supplies Guyana’s tobacco stamps.

Countries Free Tax Stamps Free

Chander S Jeena

4 Dec. 2025

5 min read

Nepal Moves Toward Self-Reliant Security Printing After Long Procurement Hurdles

Nepal’s experience with tax stamps has never been a straightforward one, even though it has been relying on tax stamps for over two decades now to generate revenue from alcohol and tobacco. Indeed, these small pieces of paper serve a vital purpose, helping the country to collect nearly NPR 102 billion ($715 million) in excise duty from tobacco, beer, and liquor.

Countries Tax Stamps

Chander S Jeena

4 Dec. 2025

3 min read

A New Player in Tax Stamps? TOPPAN Explores Tax Stamp Opportunities as Global Expansion Continues

Japan-based TOPPAN Holdings, known for its activities in printing, packaging, and optical security, is broadening its international presence through acquisitions, innovation, and new partnerships. Recent developments indicate that the company is positioning itself to engage more actively in tax stamp and excise management systems, including in Ethiopia, where it is already involved in secure document production.

Companies Tax Stamps

Nicola Sudan

4 Dec. 2025

2 min read

Will e-Invoicing and Enhanced Stamps Finally Close Malawi’s Tax Gap?

According to local press, Malawi is preparing for a major change in the way it records and collects taxes, as the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) moves forward with the rollout of its Electronic Invoicing System (EIS) in February 2026. This, combined with recently introduced digital excise stamps (known as ‘Kalondola’) offer a potential turning point for revenue management and transparency.

Countries Tax & Revenue Tax Stamps

Nicola Sudan

30 Oct. 2025

2 min read

Hong Kong Pilots Holographic Tax Stamps on Cigarettes

Hong Kong Customs has started a threemonth pilot scheme under its new duty stamp system to tackle illicit tobacco sales and ensure tax compliance.

Tax Stamps

Nicola Sudan

30 Oct. 2025

4 min read

Tamil Nadu Leads Again: First with Tax Stamps, Now QR Buy-Back Schemes

The Excise Department of Tamil Nadu, India, has issued a tender for a digital platform and unique QR code stickers to support a buy-back scheme for empty liquor containers. The codes will be affixed to liquor, beer, and wine containers sold through state-run retail outlets across Tamil Nadu. These outlets (known as TASMAC – Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation – outlets) play a central role in the legal sale of alcohol in the state, given that Tamil Nadu maintains a monopoly on such sales.

Sustainability Tax Stamps Tenders

Latest News

Security Begins Below the Surface – and Extends Far Beyond

Sri Lanka Credits Tax Stamps with 60% Rise in Alcohol Excise Revenue

Bangladesh Tobacco – Time to Move Beyond Traditional Tax Stamps

India: Rajasthan Debuts Multi-Colour Codes, Goa Adopts Tax Stamps

Guam Launches Tobacco Stamps – Nine Years After They Came Into Law

How Variable Identifiers on Tax Stamps Have Evolved from Stamp Control to Product Identity

Helix-Lock – The Case for Hybrid Tax Stamps

Spectra Systems-SICPA Consortium Wins Bid for UK Vape Stamps

Nanosilikhan Partners with TPI to Elevate Tax Stamp Security in India

Hong Kong Customs Reports Successful Trial of Tax Stamps

Hong Kong Customs Reports Successful Trial of Tax Stamps

Heidelberg Brings Polar Finishing Automation In-House

Canada’s Excise Stamp Journey – From Tobacco to Cannabis to Vapes

Ghana Extends Tax Stamps to Refined Edible Oils

New Guyana Alcohol Stamps Reflect Global Shift

Nepal Moves Toward Self-Reliant Security Printing After Long Procurement Hurdles

A New Player in Tax Stamps? TOPPAN Explores Tax Stamp Opportunities as Global Expansion Continues

Will e-Invoicing and Enhanced Stamps Finally Close Malawi’s Tax Gap?

Hong Kong Pilots Holographic Tax Stamps on Cigarettes

Tamil Nadu Leads Again: First with Tax Stamps, Now QR Buy-Back Schemes

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