Manama, June 28 (BNA) The National Revenue Authority, in cooperation with Customs Affairs, announced the arrival of the first shipment of cigarette packs with digital stamps to customs clearance outlets in Bahrain.
The digital stamp scheme aims to track selective goods from the manufacturing stage to the point of consumption through digital stamps and aims to reduce the smuggling of selective goods into the Kingdom, protect consumers from the circulation of counterfeit or illegal products and ensure the effectiveness of government revenue collection.
The first phase of the scheme’s implementation has been in effect since March 11, 2022, when the electronic digital stamp system was enabled to receive purchase orders from taxpayers registered with NBR, allowing them to place such stamps on cigarette packs in advance for dispatch to local markets.
NBR urged importers and manufacturers of cigarette products to comply with the dates for the next implementation phase of the scheme, whereby the import of cigarette products into Bahrain if they arrive without digital stamps will be banned from 17 July.
NBR encouraged all importers and dealers in local markets to avoid stockpiling large quantities of cigarette products without digital stamps in preparation for the latest implementation phase starting on October 16, when cigarette products cannot be traded or possessed without these stamps.
NBR stressed the need to comply with the plan, as NBR will take the necessary legal measures either by imposing administrative fines or referring cases to the Public Prosecution Office to initiate legal proceedings.
FKN