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Expanding Tobacco and Alcohol Programmes into New Sectors

In recent years, governments have been expanding the range of goods and services they apply excise tax and regulatory controls to – not only for generating additional revenue, but also to influence consumer behaviour, address public health concerns, and support environmental and regulatory objectives.

New Programmes - June 30, 2025 midnight

It Takes Two to Tango – Argentine Tax Authority Juggles Producers and Resellers

Amid sweeping efforts by President Milei’s government to reform Argentina’s tax administration, the country’s tobacco tax stamp programme is an important step towards such reform. While the programme has helped Argentina’s tax authority reconcile production volumes with the number of products actually sold and taxes paid, there is an ongoing price disparity in the market, between manufacturers and resellers, that is ultimately resulting in less tax going to the government.

Country Profiles - June 30, 2025 midnight

EU Illicit Cigarettes Surge to Highest Level Since 2015 – Huge Tax Variations not Helping

KPMG has released its latest annual study on illicit cigarettes in Europe, commissioned by Philip Morris Products SA, and covering 38 European markets (including 27 EU member states). The study shows that while overall illicit consumption in Europe grew marginally in 2024 (by 0.2%), consumption in the EU27 soared by 10.8% to reach 9.2% of the total market – the highest level in nearly a decade.

Reports - June 30, 2025 midnight

Togo Launches Fuel Marking

Togo has launched a fuel marking system, initially for subsidised industrial diesel, but rapidly extending, in a second phase, to unleaded gasoline and road diesel.

Fuel Marking - June 30, 2025 midnight

Excise in Africa: Challenges, Opportunities, Solutions

Africa is a continent with a serious financing gap. According to the African Union, ‘Africa’s sustainable financing gap until 2030 is about $1.6 trillion,’ and ‘the continent needs additional financing of about $194 billion annually to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This financing gap is equivalent to 7% of Africa’s GDP’.

Free - June 30, 2025 midnight

South Africa Illicit Trade Report Highlights Improvements… but Mainly Weaknesses

The Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT) is a non- governmental organisation consisting of corporations and select trade associations within a range of sectors, including tobacco, alcohol, agri-foods, petroleum, and pharmaceuticals. It 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 less well in other areas with regard to anti-illicit trade efforts.

Illicit Trade - June 9, 2025 midnight

Uganda Launches Stickers to Curb Non-Compliant Fuel Stations

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.

Fuel Marking - May 28, 2025 midnight

Pakistan Introduces Fuel Tracking Law... But Systemic Issues Need Addressing First

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.

Fuel Marking - May 28, 2025 midnight

Managing the Raw Tobacco Supply Chain: Insights from Poland

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.

Case Studies - May 28, 2025 midnight

Are We Ready for Traceability Challenge from Trump’s Tariff War?

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.

Track and Trace - May 28, 2025 midnight

Meet Crane Authentication – One Brand, One Vision

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.

Interviews - May 19, 2025 midnight

Interview with Incoming ITSA Chair Tim McIntyre

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.

Free - May 13, 2025 midnight

Digital Versus Physical in the Era of AI and Quantum Computing

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.

Free - April 29, 2025 midnight

A Deep Dive into Quantum Tech for Tax Stamps

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.

Interviews - April 29, 2025 midnight

ITSA Appoints New Chairman as it Celebrates 10th Anniversary

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.

ITSA - April 29, 2025 midnight

TSTF 2025 – The Best Forum Yet?

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.

Events - April 29, 2025 midnight