Transporting tobacco products
What you need to do if you transport or transload tobacco products in the UK.
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 on the packaging
- be scanned at certain points in the supply chain
From May 2024, this will apply to all tobacco products.
You need to scan tobacco products when you ‘transload’ them - move them from one vehicle to another.
If you transport products only and do not move them between vehicles, you do not need to scan them.
Transloading
If you transload tobacco products, you need to:
- register for an economic operator ID from the UK ID issuer
- get scanning equipment from the manufacturer or importer of the products
- scan the products up to 24 hours before they’re transloaded (put onto another vehicle) - from 20 May 2028 you’ll need to scan them up to 3 hours before
- get the facility ID of the final destination of the products
For the movement of the products to be classed as transloading, you must know their final destination when you remove them from the vehicle.
The products do not need to be placed onto another vehicle immediately, but there must be people or vehicles with the products at all times until they’re put onto another vehicle.
Vending van delivery
A vending van is a vehicle used for the delivery of tobacco products to multiple retail outlets in quantities that have not been decided upon in advance of the delivery.
If you deliver tobacco products through a vending van, you need to register for an economic operator ID from the UK ID issuer.
You must scan the products in the 24 hours before they leave your premises. You have up to 24 hours to scan them for any other reason.
You will need to include facility ID codes for all retail outlets you are visiting as part of the message submitted when you scan products leaving your premises. You will also need to scan purchases by each retail outlet individually with their facility ID code and the UIDs of all products they purchased.
Any products unsold from the delivery will need to be scanned back into your premises on your return.
Getting scanning equipment
The importer or manufacturer of the products will need to provide you with equipment to scan them. You should ask them for more information if they do not contact you.
If you also manufacture, import, or export
Check what you need to do if you also manufacture or import tobacco products, or export them outside the UK and EU.
If you also store or sell
Check what you need to do if you also store or sell tobacco products.
Last updated 31 December 2020 + show all updates
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This page has been updated because the Brexit transition period has ended.
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You can now register with the ID issuer to get IDs for your business. Links to new guidance about this has been added.
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Information about transporting and delivering tobacco products from a vending van has been added to this guidance.
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First published.