Cannabis Tax Stamp Program

Overview

The Canadian Bank Note Company (CBN) designs, prints, and distributes Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) excise tax stamps for cannabis, tobacco, and vaping products, ensuring federal duty has been paid, a contract they've held since 2008 and renewed in 2019. These stamps feature advanced security features, including unique inks and hidden elements, to combat contraband, and CBN also provides the systems for managing their order and application. Consumers should look for these stamps as proof of legal purchase, and their absence signifies contraband, notes the official Canada.ca page. Key Points

• Role: CBN is the authorized provider for CRA excise stamps, a contract managed by the Excise and Specialty Tax Program.
• Purpose: The stamps confirm that federal excise duty has been paid on products like cannabis, tobacco, and vaping items.
• Security: Stamps include features like color-shifting ink and hidden marks, making them hard to counterfeit.
• Contract Details: CBN's current contract with the CRA for designing and distributing these stamps runs until September 30, 2024, with renewal options.
• Consumer Action: Look for the stamp when buying products; its absence indicates contraband, according to the Canada Revenue Agency's guidance.

How it Works

1. Licensing: Businesses dealing with cannabis, tobacco, or vaping products must get licensed by the CRA.
2. Purchase Stamps: Licensed producers buy excise stamps from CBN via the CRA.
3. Apply Stamps: Stamps are applied to products when packaged for sale.
4. Duty Payment: The duty is paid to the CRA, and the stamp serves as proof.

Canadian Bank Note Company also offers the related technology and systems for managing the stamp application process.

Infographics about excise stamps

For more information about the different products that require excise stamps, refer to the following infographics:

• Cannabis excise stamp – Infographic
• Tobacco excise stamp – Infographic
• Vaping excise stamp – Infographic