BURS presses ahead with contested 'track and trace' system

The track and trace system involves placing a biometric imprint on all alcohol and tobacco products as they are manufactured or imported into the country, allowing the BURS to check that the correct tax revenue is being paid and that the products are genuine and not illicit.

The BURS believes that the alcohol and tobacco industries are a key player in the estimated loss of P3 billion in tax revenues each year, due to smuggling, illicit products, and evasion by some industry players.