1. Global Trends in Tobacco Tax Stamps
Nicola Sudan
Reconnaissance Intl

2. Early Tax Stamps
1893
Copyright: 2015 Reconnaissance International

3. Modern Day Stamp Excise Stamp Unique Number 2D Bar Code (Smart Code)
Excise Stamp Unique Number
2D Bar Code (Smart Code)
Excise Stamp Serial Number
Holographic Security Element
Type of Product
Copyright: 2015Reconnaissance International

4. What Has Driven the Change?
Taxes are higher
Illicit trade incentive is higher
Counterfeiting is easier
Major technology breakthroughs
Copyright: 2015 Reconnaissance International

5. International Regulations
WHO FCTC Illicit Trade Protocol
EU Tobacco Products Directive
US reforms
Copyright: 2015 Reconnaissance International

6. Anatomy Of the Modern Tax Stamp

7. Substrate Visible Invisible UV Infrared Complex structures
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8. Printing Process – Offset
Ireland - cigarettes
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9. Printing Process – Intaglio
Mexico - alcohol
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10. Printing Process – Digital Printing
Russia - alcohol
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11. Printing Process – Silkscreen
Canada - cigarettes
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12. Holograms
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13. Security Inks Fluorescent barcodes SICPA OASIS® optical effect ink
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14. Taggants, Forensic Markers
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15. Serialisation and Track and Trace
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16. Serialisation Without A Tax Stamp
Codentify® alphanumeric code
Copyright: 2015 Reconnaissance International

17. The Road Ahead for Tax Stamps
Gaining international attention in global arena
Tax stamp volumes could increase
Copyright: 2015 Reconnaissance International

18. Standards Development – Globally
ISO – full title: Requirements for the content, security and issuance of excise tax stamps
One important driver is the EU Tobacco Products Directive
"The purpose of this standard is to help governments to improve their excise tax revenues by improving the quality of their tax documents and issuance systems to make it more difficult for organized and opportunist tax fraudsters to fulfill their aims.” (from the intro as currently drafted).
Copyright: 2015 Reconnaissance International

19. ISO 19998 – Key Issues to Resolve
Refine the scope, in particular re: “digital stamps” and what level of security they provide.
Key point of resistance – by digital serialization/tracking systems producers (eg Codentify).
Currently not sufficient involvement by applier companies.
Copyright: 2015 Reconnaissance International

20. Reconnaissance International
To find out more…
Reconnaissance International