The Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT) – a private sector, not-for-profit initiative has released a report titled ‘South Africa’s Fight Against Illicit Trade – A Strategic Review’. The report reveals that while the country has improved its cross-border enforcement and customs capacity, as well as controls over the informal economy, it has performed significantly lower in other areas with regard to anti-illicit trade efforts.

The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the National Bureau of Standards, has introduced secure stickers with unique identifiers for displaying at fuel stations as visible proof of regulatory compliance.

New York State is at a critical juncture. Despite legalizing adult-use cannabis more than two years ago, the state has yet to implement a meaningful seed-to-sale tracking system. As a result, the illicit market is not just thriving – it’s dominating.

According to the Pakistani press, the country’s government has introduced an amendment to the 1934 Petroleum Act to implement real-time tracking of petroleum products, from import and production to retail sale. This move aims to reduce massive annual revenue losses estimated at PKR 300-500 billion ($1.1-$1.8 billion), due to smuggling and adulteration of petroleum products.

At the recent Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum™, Dr Hana Ross from the World Bank Global Tax Program shared findings from a 2020 study examining Poland’s approach to regulating the raw tobacco supply chain. The study highlighted how targeted controls helped the country significantly reduce its illicit tobacco trade.

While it is still early days for the Trump administration, news agencies are chock-full of stories to report. Amongst the most popular have been the constant changes in US trade policy, which are not only surprising to many, but which seem to lack a clear path for allowing governments and business to modify their own policies to manage the effects of the US ones.

The UK’s decision to implement a new vaping products duty, paired with a mandatory duty stamp, marks a pivotal evolution in its regulatory posture toward nicotine-containing vape products.

Crane NXT recently announced the launch of a new brand identity: Crane Authentication. This unified brand consolidates the strengths of recently acquired De La Rue Authentication, the Smart Packaging assets of TruTag Technologies, and OpSec Security (purchased last year). Crane NXT now comprises two segments: Security and Authentication Technologies (which includes Crane Currency and Crane Authentication) and Crane Payment Innovations.

This month, we sat down with the new Chair of the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA), Tim McIntyre of Canadian Bank Note Company Limited, to discuss his background, his thoughts on the industry and how he plans to support an evolution of ITSA to take a more agile and proactive leadership position within the field of tax stamps and traceability.

LEONHARD KURZ, a global player in security and surface finishing technologies, has announced the integration of its subsidiary SCRIBOS, a digital platform provider, under a new unified brand identity—KURZ SCRIBOS.

During the 2025 Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum™, Francis Tuffy of Reconnaissance International chaired a panel discussion on the role of physical security features in an increasingly digital landscape, where artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing (QC) are coming to the fore.

Last month, we spoke to the CEO of Quantum Base, a new International Tax Stamp Association member that brings quantum technology to traditional printing techniques to create virtually uncounterfeitable tax stamps. This month, we’re diving deeper into this technology and exploring how it could revolutionise revenue collection and traceability.

Following its 7th Annual General Meeting, held in April 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa – on the occasion of the Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum™ – the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new chairman, and the re-election of two directors, as it celebrates the 10th anniversary of its founding.

The recent Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum™ (TSTF) has been hailed by some as the best TSTF ever. Yet, the overall number of delegates in attendance (170) was low compared to previous events (over 200). So, why was this 12th edition deemed so successful? Let’s take a look.

Linstrom Marangu, Health Tax Specialist from the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), has confirmed his participation at the Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum, which takes place from 7-9 April in Cape Town, South Africa.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan has announced that the NBR is considering introducing QR codes on tobacco tax stamps.

This month, we have a new entry in our ongoing interview series revealing the industry insider insights of International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) members.

The alcohol industry has warned that an increase in South Africa’s excise taxes will drive even more financially pressured consumers towards the already substantial black market.

India is currently facing regulatory uncertainty around authentication and traceability regulations. While on one hand it recently amended its Central Goods & Services Tax (CGST) Act to allow for the introduction of tobacco traceability, on the other hand it has rolled back key measures for pharmaceuticals – possibly due to the increasingly widespread copying of genuine QR codes for track and trace onto counterfeit drugs.

The revised and updated international standard for tax stamps has passed through an important stage in its formal adoption by ISO (International Organization for Standards), advancing from a Working Draft to a Committee Draft. The standard provides guidance and best practice recommendations to revenue authorities, but is also relevant to suppliers as it will help them appreciate the approach of their actual or potential customers.