Results of work on detection of illegal/counterfeit unlabeled tobacco products in Zhetisu region from the beginning of 2024 to Q1 2025.
Kazakhstan has a mandatory tobacco product labeling system covering all market participants - from manufacturers and importers to distributors and retailers. The purpose of this measure is to combat illegal trade, protect consumer rights and ensure tax administration.
Thus, in the course of raids, the tax authorities' employees detected and seized 591 thousand packs of unlabeled tobacco products in 2024.
For the first quarter of 2025, 328 thousand packs of unlabeled tobacco products were detected.
So from October 1, 2020 in Kazakhstan was introduced mandatory digital labeling of cigarettes using Data Matrix code. From April 1, 2021 this requirement was extended to all types of tobacco products and tobacco substitutes, including cigars, hookah tobacco and sticks for electronic cigarettes.
From January 1, 2022, Kazakhstan will replace paper excise stamps with means of identification in the form of bar codes on packaging. These codes must be applied by manufacturers and importers of tobacco products. A means of identification is a unique sequence of symbols in machine-readable form that provides traceability of tobacco products and provides consumers with detailed information about the product.
Labeling of tobacco products in Kazakhstan was introduced to achieve several key objectives:
- Combating counterfeit products. Unlabeled cigarettes are sold illegally, without paying taxes and excise duties, which damages the state budget.
- Consumer protection. Counterfeit products do not meet quality standards, which can be harmful to the health of citizens.
- Creation of equal conditions for business. Conscientious producers and sellers should have competitive advantages over illegal market participants.
- Tracking the supply chain. Digital labeling makes it possible to control the movement of tobacco products from the manufacturer to the end consumer.
The process of digital labeling of tobacco products includes the following steps:
- Code application: Manufacturers and importers apply a unique Data Matrix code to each package of tobacco products.
- Registration in the system: Information about the labeled products is entered into the information system of labeling and traceability of goods, which provides the ability to track the movement of goods at all stages. - Realization and control: when sold in a retail network, products are removed from circulation using a 2D scanner or the Naqty Sauda mobile application. This allows us to control the legality of goods and prevent the sale of counterfeit products.
We also want to inform you that for violation of the requirements of the legislation, namely according to Article 283 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in terms of labeling, the following measures of responsibility are provided:
For violation of the rules of labeling (relabeling) by the manufacturer or importer fines are provided:
- for medium-sized businesses - 200 MRP
- for large businesses - 500 MRP
- with confiscation of goods and deprivation of license
Turnover of excisable goods without means of identification or with unidentified stamps (storage, sale, transportation) is subject to fines:
- for individuals - 50 MRP
- for small businesses - 150 MRP
- for medium-sized businesses - 200 MRP
- for large businesses - 500 MRP
- with confiscation of goods and deprivation of license
These measures are aimed at combating illegal tobacco product trafficking and ensuring fair competition in the market.
Digital labeling of tobacco products is a very important step in the development of a transparent and legal tobacco products market in Kazakhstan, which helps to protect public health and improve the efficiency of tax administration.
In this regard, we call on all market participants to comply with the requirements of the legislation and actively participate in the formation of a transparent and legal turnover of tobacco products.