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Tobacco product traceability

Check what you need to do if you manufacture, import, transport, store or sell tobacco products in the UK.

Updates to this page

From:
HM Revenue & Customs
Published:
29 January 2019
Last updated:
17 July 2023
Show all updates

  1. This collection has been updated with information about UK tobacco track and trace penalties.

  2. This collection has been updated with information about what will happen if you do not follow the rules set out in this guidance.

  3. You can now register with the ID issuer to get IDs for your business and buy UIDs for your tobacco products. New guidance about this has been added.

  4. Guidance has been added about putting unique identifiers (UIDs) on tobacco products, checking if your data storage and anti-tamper device companies are independent from the tobacco industry, and what you need to do if you transport tobacco products.

  5. First published.

All unit packets of cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco manufactured or imported in the UK must:

  • have unique identifiers (UIDs) on the packaging
  • have 5 specific security features applied to the packaging if they are manufactured or imported for the UK market
  • be scanned at certain points in the supply chain

From May 2024, this will apply to all tobacco products.

If you do not follow the rules set out in this guidance, HMRC may seize the tobacco products.

Manufacturing and importing

Selling and storing

Transporting

Get IDs for your business and unique identifiers (UIDs) for your products

UK tobacco track and trace

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