Digital stamps coming

Beginning in November, digital tax stamps will be required on all water pipe tobacco and e-cigarettes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Federal Tax Authority said in a statement that the decision supports its efforts to collect taxes, combat tax evasion and implement uniform procedures to ensure transparency, guarantee rights and highlight the responsibilities of all taxable persons.

The decision also stipulated that as of March 1, 2020, it will be prohibited to import designated excise goods not bearing the stamps into the UAE. Then, as of June 1, 2020, it will no longer be permissible to supply, transfer, store or possess unmarked designated excise goods in the UAE.