The Switzerland-based Thymaris group is a second-generation family business that has been operating since 2000. The business provides integrated authentication technologies (software and machines) on a global scale. Its mission is to close the security gap in existing barcode serialisation infrastructures.

Tobacco stakeholders and the European Commission disagree over the practical value of the EU track and trace system on tobacco products, implemented across all member states in May 2019 as part of the Tobacco Products Directive, reports EURACTIV.

This month, we continue our series of interviews with members of the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA), who share their experiences of the tax stamp industry and look ahead to some of the challenges and opportunities yet to come.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati of Lebanon was guest of honour at the recent launch of a countrywide authentication and traceability programme to combat tobacco illicit trade and promote economic reform.

De La Rue has announced the multi-year extension of tax stamp/security seal contracts across nine countries in Europe and Africa.

This article represents the first in a series that aims to educate readers on the dynamic nature of Free Trade Zones (FTZs) and key issues that need addressing, as well as, ideally, offer a means by which suppliers of secure track and trace technologies can address this heretofore untapped potential new market.

This month, we continue our series of interviews with members of the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA), who share their experiences of the tax stamp industry and look ahead to some of the challenges and opportunities yet to come.

In January, more than 60 officers from the French National Gendarmerie (Gendarmerie Nationale) raided a location in France, which was found to be an underground factory for counterfeit tobacco. The investigation was initiated as a result of information shared with France by Europol at the end of 2022.

Every year, on 24 February, India observes Central Excise Day, as a way of highlighting the essential role of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) in the country’s industrial development.

In September this year, Reconnaissance International will release a new publication – ‘Smartphones for Authentication’ – the only publication of its kind.

Luminescence Sun Chemical Security (LSCS) has acquired InData System’s (InData) patented invisible barcode reading technology, which consists of dedicated readers that verify and decode ‘invisible’ (fluorescing) codes.

Gerben van Wijk is Sales and Marketing Director of Luminescence Sun Chemical Security (LSCS) and has been a Board Member of the International Tax Stamp Association since 2018, taking over as Chair in May 2022.

This short series on emerging technologies was a result of presentations made at the Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum™ (TSTF), in May 2022. This final article in the series picks up on one theme not yet covered – the topic of substrates. But first we should consider why this debate should be defined as an emerging technology.

The Gambia’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, in partnership with the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), has signed a concession agreement with SICPA for the implementation of a revenue mobilisation platform for excisable goods, telecommunication services, and refined fuels.

In India, each state has the power to control and regulate its own liquor trade. Given that the country comprises 29 states and seven union territories, each with their own set of laws, this presents a major challenge for the alcoholic beverage industry – a challenge that is further exacerbated by the limitations placed on the movement of alcohol between states.

It’s not all about new constitutions, riots and uncontrollable forest fires lately in Chile. There’s actually been some interesting news with respect to traceability, with press releases from both the tax authority, Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII), and the national customs service, Aduanas de Chile.

Secure marking and excise taxes operate hand in glove. But excise duties usually account for a small percentage of countries’ overall tax take.

We are pleased to announce that this year’s Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum™ will take place from 2-4 October 2023, in the wonderful city of Tbilisi, Georgia.

A team from the Institute of Forensic Science and Criminology at Panjab University, India, claims to have conducted the first study of its kind to analyse cigarette filters using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy in combination with statistical models.

Across tax and customs administrations, there are several key trends that are of some relevance to the secure marking and traceability space.