KUALA LUMPUR: All local cigarette manufacturers are required to stick on the cigarette duty stamp on every packets of their cigarettes beginning this October 1.
The Royal Malaysian Customs said the transition period for the use of the cigarette duty stamp was carried out in stages since last August 1.
“Cigarette packets which have been marked with security ink will only be allowed to be in the market until March 31, 2017.
“After the date, the manufacturers will have to withdraw them from the shelves,” it said. It said the use of duty was in compliance with international standard, including the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) so that the tobacco supply chain could be effectively monitored apart from protecting national revenue.
Failure by the manufacturers concerned to comply with the mandatory requirement would result in seizure of the cigarettes and the manufacturers would be charged under Section 74 of the Excise Act 1976.
The manufacturers could also be charged under Section 89 of the Goods and Services Tax Act (GST) 2014.
