Export labeling changes in the Philippines

The Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will no longer require cigarette packs intended for export to have tax stamps affixed, according to a story in the Philippine Daily Enquirer.

The BIR has ordered that, in lieu of the tax stamps, all tobacco products manufactured for export must have labels stating clearly that they are strictly for sale in the country of destination for which they were manufactured.

These labels must not be similar in any way to those affixed to products sold locally.

And cigarette companies must provide proof that the products intended for export were shipped to the country in question.

The BIR said cigarette packs for export would still be provided with a range of unique identifier codes, for which exporters would have to pay P0.03 per UIC.