Tax Stamp Report - 2nd Edition

COMING SOON - the 2nd edition of Tax Stamps: a Technical Study and Market Report

In late 2007 Reconnaissance International published Tax Stamps: a Technical Study and Market Report , the first study of its kind to examine and analyse the evolution and implementation of tax stamp regimes around the world.

But much can change in the space of just a few years. And due to demand, following the success of the 1st edition, the 2nd report is now underway. While, the 1st edition was aimed primarily at suppliers of paper-based tax stamps applied to tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, the scope of the 2nd edition will be broadened to reflect the interests of all stakeholders with a vested interest in revenue collection from duties payable on tobacco and alcohol. These include legislators, lawyers responsible for drafting legislation, economists with budgetary and fiscal responsibilities and investigation and enforcement agencies, as well as tobacco and alcohol manufacturers and distributors, and vendors of tax stamp systems and technologies.

Increasingly, the key functions of any tax stamp, whatever form it takes, is to provide fiscal verification (ie that tax has been paid), supply chain visibility and product authentication. As a result, the demands of tax stamps have become considerably more complex and there is now considerable debate as to whether physical stamps are able to meet these requirements versus digital systems. The tobacco industry itself is strongly proposing the abolition of physical stamps in favor of digital marking systems which are supposedly capable of authenticating and tracking the products. The report will report and analyse the factors in this debate and the fundamental differences between authentication solutions versus purely track & trace systems to inform those on both sides of the debate as to the capabilities and limitations of both approaches.

There will be a greater focus, too, on the regional landscape. While the basic principles of tax stamps are universal, each country has its own specific conditions and requirements that result in differences, in some cases fundamental, in how tax stamps are specified and implemented. As well as outlining the basic principles, the report will examine in depth some of these differences - notably in the unique yet rapidly-developing US market, as well as other countries with state as opposed to federal schemes.

The report will also examine the proliferation of alternative nicotine delivery products and even marijuana, and the revenue opportunities for, as well as the implementation of marking schemes (digital as opposed to stamp-based) in some countries to extend the collection of excise revenue to non-alcoholic beverage, mineral waters and other consumable products.

To be published in late 2011, this 100-page report will provide invaluable insight into how governments can develop effective tax revenue collection regimes through the use of tax stamps, and how suppliers of components, products and systems can both drive forward the market for tax stamps, and benefit from the growing opportunities these provide.

Scope of the 2nd Tax Stamp Report

Introduction

Developments since the publication of the first Tax Stamp Report in 2007
Executive summary

Background to the Use of Tax Stamps

factors driving their deployment - regulation, consumption, taxation, the illicit trade;
the political, economic and fiscal landscape;
industry agreements and directives;
regional variations;
the spread of programmes from tobacco and alcohol to beverages and other excisable products.

How Tax Stamps Work

how tax stamp programmes typically operate;
the different 'stakeholders' from specification through production to distribution and deployment, including regulators, revenue authorities, investigation and enforcement agencies, tobacco and alcohol manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers, suppliers of tax stamp components and solutions;
benefits as revenue generators and a means of controlling illicit and counterfeit products.

Technologies for Production, Application and Authentication

the evolution of the tax stamp, from a simple printed item to a complex, multi-layered security device with track & trace capability;
different tax stamp formats, printing techniques, materials, overt and covert security features
packaging and labelling requirements and the integration and application of stamps;
methods and techniques for application - wet glue adhesive, pressure sensitive and fusion, and latest developments ;
numbering and coding technologies for unique item identification and supporting systems for verification, authentication and track & trace.

The Digital Revolution

comparison of physical stamps versus digital marking schemes;
track & trace and supply chain security;
experiences gained so far;
learning from other industries.

Control, Investigation and Enforcement

effective legislative frameworks and compliance;
the role of investigators and tools for the job;
training and education.

The Global Use of Tax Stamps

an updated list of all countries using tax stamps;
features, technologies, systems deployed;
specifiers, issuers and producers;
state/regional versus national/federal programmes;
annual consumption and future requirements;
subsections on regions.

Case Studies

A series of reports on several different countries, detailing the tax stamp environment, the adoption and/or upgrade of tax stamps, different regimes and systems, the increasing use of advanced authentication and track & trace technologies, ROI and the benefits that have accrued to governments.

Conclusion

the role of technology;
the emergence of alternative systems for fiscal verification, track & trace and authentication;
projected volumes and market opportunities.

Appendix

In addition to the more detailed case studies, the appendix will feature a profile of each country in terms of demographics, consumption, and relevant revenue authorities.

Who Will Read It?

The 2nd edition of Tax Stamps: a Technical Study and Market Report will provide invaluable insight for:

Tax stamp issuing authorities (ministries of finance, revenue, treasury departments)
Customs and excise departments
Law enforcement and investigative services
Manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers of tobacco and alcohol products
Security printers - state-owned and commercial
Security labelling and converting companies
Systems and equipment manufacturers
Project manager and systems integrators
Suppliers of security substrates, components, authentication technologies

Price

The report will be distributed free to the authorities responsible for revenue collection from tobacco and alcohol products in each country (and in each state or province for those countries that have state schemes).

The pre-publication price to non-government organisations is £675, with a 15% discount to subscribers of Tax Stamp News.

Sponsorship Opportunities

A unique and limited sponsorship opportunity to get your name in front of all the world's tax stamp issuers and producers

In order to fund the free distribution of Tax Stamps: a Technical Study and Market Report to the tax authorities in each country, we are seeking sponsors. If you are a leader in the provision of components for or finished tax stamps then this is an unrivalled opportunity for you to reach every issuing and specifying authority. As a sponsor you will benefit from:

Case Study - you will be invited to provide a case study of a tax stamp project in which you have been involved as a supplier and that has successfully incorporated your technology
Advertisement - a full-page, four-colour advertisement (premium positions allocated on a first-come, first-served basis)
Logo Branding - your company logo will be featured on the front cover and contents page. It will also appear on all marketing and promotional materials and channels (print and web) for the Report
Customised Copies of the Report - you will receive a copy for your own organisation, plus ten copies for your key customers, your reception display or your personal portfolio. The covers of these copies can be personalised with the name of your organisation and the customer you will give the Report to. You will also be able to buy additional copies of the Report at a 50% discount.

This Report will be widely distributed and read. This is not only because of its scope and the breadth and depth of its coverage, nor only because of our track record in providing invaluable market-specific insight and analysis. It is also because there is simply no other equivalent publication for this dynamic and rapidly-growing market that provides solutions and answers to effective revenue collection for revenue agencies on the one hand, and invaluable date and market analysis to direct the development strategies of systems and solutions providers on the other hand.

The standard sponsorship package price is £4,950. For the two sponsors that select the inside front or inside back covers for their advertisements, the price is £5,250. For the sponsor that selects the outside back cover for their advertisement, the price is £5,750. Discounts are available to sponsors of Tax Stamp News.

For further information, or to book your sponsorship, please contact us.