The United Arab Emirates banned the import of tobacco products without digital excise stamps.
On May 1, 2019, a ban on the import of any type of tobacco products without digital excise stamps entered into force in the UAE. Sale, import or production of tobacco products without such markings will be prohibited in August. The tobacco labeling program entered into force on 1 January. It allows you to track the movement of packs of cigarettes from production to the end consumer.
The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) said on Saturday that fines for violating this rule are between 20 and 50 thousand dirhams ($ US 5.4 - 13.6 thousand).
The fines were set “in order to protect consumers, prevent smuggling, getting low-quality products to local markets and stop selling smuggled goods in the UAE,” the FTA said in a statement.
The punishment system provides for nine possible violations. The most severe fine in the amount of AED 50 thousand and 50% of the excise tax amount is applied in three cases: if the offender stores or carries goods without a digital excise stamp, makes changes to them or reuses the stamp.
If a person cannot affix the used excise stamps in the manner selected by the authorized body, a fine of 25 thousand dirhams ($ 6.8 thousand) for the first violation and 50 thousand dirhams for the second will be imposed on him. A similar penalty applies to a person who deliberately permits the use of his premises for the sale of unlabelled goods.
