News | Tax Stamp & Authentication News™

Michael Eads

24 Feb. 2021

7 min read

What Does the Future Hold for Traceability in Europe?

The European Union represents the world’s first attempt at implementation of wide-scale, multi-country tobacco traceability and the largest iteration of the FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (the Protocol) in action. The implications in relation to one of the world’s largest tobacco market’s interpretation and implementation of the Protocol, as well as the benefits that traceability can provide in terms of combatting illicit trade, has the significant potential to influence tobacco traceability the world over.

Excise Products Free Illicit Trade Free

Nicola Sudan

21 Jan. 2021

5 min read

New Study Examines Evolving Challenges Posed by Counterfeit and Illicit Trade

A new study focusing on the trends and challenges of counterfeit and illicit trade in the high-tech sector – as well as the technologies for combatting such trade – provides interesting insights that are of relevance to other industries, including excise products.

Illicit Trade Reports & Studies

Nicola Sudan

9 Jan. 2021

5 min read

UK Considers Tougher Sanctions Against Illicit Tobacco as it Prepares to Leave EU

The UK tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), has unveiled proposals for tougher sanctions against small-scale sellers of illicit tobacco, while at the same time putting in place its post-Brexit tobacco supply chain control measures.

Countries Excise Products Illicit Trade

Chander S Jeena

10 Dec. 2020

2 min read

Illicit Trade in Southeast Asia – Cambodia

In the February issue of Tax Stamp & Traceability News™, we launched a series of articles by Chander S Jeena, on the illicit tobacco trade in Southeast Asia and how it is being dealt with. This month we continue the series with an update on the situation in Cambodia.

Case Studies Countries Illicit Trade

Telita Snyckers

4 Dec. 2020

6 min read

Impact of Eliminating Illicit Trade in Cigarettes on Consumption and Tax Revenues

It has been a decade since Luk Joossens et al published their influential study on the global illicit cigarette market, which examined a sample of 84 countries, and found that 11.6% of the world’s cigarette market was illicit. The study also found that eliminating illicit trade in cigarettes globally would reduce cigarette consumption by 2%, generating at least $31 billion in tax revenues, and preventing millions of deaths.

Illicit Trade

Sven Bergmann

30 Oct. 2020

8 min read

Illicit Trade Thrives During the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives, health and financial well-being of many across the globe. Unfortunately, though, it did not disrupt illicit trade, which is not only alive and well but actually thriving as the pandemic rages on. Countless government and news reports show that the pandemic has created ideal conditions for illicit trade to grow and present an ever-increasing threat.

Illicit Trade

Nicola Sudan

30 Oct. 2020

4 min read

STOP Campaign Focuses on South Africa’s Lack of Action Against Illicit Tobacco

In September, the University of Bath’s Tobacco Control Research Group, a key partner in the STOP campaign (Stopping Tobacco Organisations and Products) published a case study and profile on South Africa and the country’s handling of the illicit tobacco trade.

Excise Products Illicit Trade

Nicola Sudan

30 Oct. 2020

3 min read

Europol Helps Close Down One of Holland Largest Illegal Cigarette Factories

One of the largest illegal cigarette factories ever discovered in the Netherlands has been dismantled by law enforcement, with 13 arrests and seizures of 3.6 million cigarettes and 32 tonnes of tobacco.

Excise Products Illicit Trade

Chander S Jeena

30 Sept. 2020

3 min read

Illicit Trade in Southeast Asia – Malaysia’s Upgraded Tax Stamp Programme

In the February issue of Tax Stamp & Traceability News™, we launched a series of articles by Chander S Jeena, on the illicit tobacco trade in Southeast Asia and how it is being dealt with. This month we continue the series with an update on the situation in Malaysia.

Case Studies Countries Illicit Trade

Nicola Sudan

30 Sept. 2020

2 min read

Illicit Tobacco Most Reported Counterfeit Product in UK

Cigarettes and tobacco products were the most reported counterfeit goods in the UK in 2019/20, according to a survey conducted by the country’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and IP Crime Office.

Illicit Trade Reports & Studies

Telita Snyckers

1 Sept. 2020

7 min read

Perspectives on the WCO 2020 Illicit Trade Report: Tobacco

The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has released the annual update of its Illicit Trade Report (ITR). Reports were submitted by 86 countries – up significantly from 54 countries in 2018, making it more representative than previous iterations.

Illicit Trade Reports & Studies

Telita Snyckers

28 Aug. 2020

5 min read

Update on South Africa: Bans and Booming Illicit Trade, Exploiting Systemic Weaknesses

In response to the coronavirus outbreak, South Africa introduced two highly contentious prohibitions, banning the sale of both alcohol and tobacco products. The impact has seen both a complete loss of all duties and taxes from these commodities, and a booming illicit trade.

Excise Products Free Illicit Trade Free

Chander S Jeena

30 July 2020

3 min read

Illicit Trade in Southeast Asia – Thailand Banking Big on Digital Technologies

In the February issue of Tax Stamp & Traceability News™, we launched a series of articles by Chander S Jeena, on the illicit tobacco trade in Southeast Asia and how it is being dealt with. This month we continue the series with an update on the situation in Thailand, although this time we are expanding our focus to include products other than tobacco.

Countries Excise Products Illicit Trade

Chander S Jeena

29 June 2020

3 min read

The Illicit Tobacco Trade in Southeast Asia – Vietnam

In the February issue of Tax Stamp & Traceability News™, we launched a series of articles by Chander S Jeena on the illicit tobacco trade in Southeast Asia and how it is being dealt with. This month we continue the series with an update on Vietnam.

Countries Excise Products Illicit Trade

Chander S Jeena

9 Dec. 2019

5 min read

India Needs Comprehensive National Policy to Tackle Alcohol, Declares ASPA

In November, the President of the Authentication Solution Providers Association, Mr Nakul Pasricha, was interviewed by Ambrosia (a magazine for the alcoholic beverages industry) on the impact of illicit trade on India’s alcohol market.

Excise Products Illicit Trade Interviews

Latest News

What Does the Future Hold for Traceability in Europe?

New Study Examines Evolving Challenges Posed by Counterfeit and Illicit Trade

UK Considers Tougher Sanctions Against Illicit Tobacco as it Prepares to Leave EU

Illicit Trade in Southeast Asia – Cambodia

Impact of Eliminating Illicit Trade in Cigarettes on Consumption and Tax Revenues

Illicit Trade Thrives During the Pandemic

STOP Campaign Focuses on South Africa’s Lack of Action Against Illicit Tobacco

Europol Helps Close Down One of Holland Largest Illegal Cigarette Factories

Illicit Trade in Southeast Asia – Malaysia’s Upgraded Tax Stamp Programme

Illicit Tobacco Most Reported Counterfeit Product in UK

Perspectives on the WCO 2020 Illicit Trade Report: Tobacco

Update on South Africa: Bans and Booming Illicit Trade, Exploiting Systemic Weaknesses

Illicit Trade in Southeast Asia – Thailand Banking Big on Digital Technologies

The Illicit Tobacco Trade in Southeast Asia – Vietnam

India Needs Comprehensive National Policy to Tackle Alcohol, Declares ASPA

Sign Up to Tax Stamp & Authentication News™ Weekly

You're signed up!