Manama, April 12 / BNA / The National Revenue Authority launched the digital stamp scheme in Bahrain as part of its commitment to ensuring effective tax implementation,
The scheme aims to track selective goods from the manufacturing stage to the point of consumption through digital stamps, NBR said.
These stamps contain security features and codes that protect consumers from counterfeit and illegal trade.
The Digital Stamp scheme works by scanning the stamps placed on selective goods at entry points into Bahrain to ensure authenticity.
It will protect consumers from trading counterfeit or illegal goods, while enabling them to learn about product details, limit attempts to smuggle selective goods into the Kingdom, and ensure effective government revenue collection.
The scheme will be implemented through a phased approach to tobacco products.
The implementation will be carried out in cooperation with the Customs Affairs of the Ministry of Interior, in addition to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and the Ministry of Health, to ensure a smooth application.
NBR said registration in the digital stamp scheme is required by taxpayers who import tobacco products and related supply chain enterprises from production until the products are put into the local market in Bahrain.
The first phase of the digital stamp scheme will focus on cigarette products. There are three stages to the implementation of the scheme at this stage. The first phase began receiving digital stamp applications as of March 11, 2022 from taxpayers registered with the NBR.
The second stage includes the implementation of the scheme on all imported products through customs clearance, where a digital stamp must be placed on all imported cigarette products that reach the Kingdom.
The final stage will include implementation in local markets, where no cigarette product can be traded without a digital stamp.
At this point, any cigarette product that does not have a digital stamp will be returned through the relevant supply chain to be destroyed or moved for sale outside the territory of Bahrain.
NBR held two virtual induction workshops as part of its commitment to raise stakeholder readiness and awareness to ensure successful implementation of the system in its various stages,
The workshops were attended by cigarette importers and manufacturers and held in cooperation with “De La Rue”, the leading manufacturer of digital stamps worldwide.
More information on the digital stamp scheme is available via the call center at 80008001 available 24 hours, 7 days a week, or email through [email protected], in addition to visiting the NBR website (www.nbr.gov.bh) channels Instagram, Twitter and YouTube (BahrainNBR).