HMDS2330 - Scheme Description: Stamp Formats

The duty stamp will be available in the following formats, so that producers will have the flexibility to make the most efficient use of their current label and bottling procedures:

• A freestanding product specific stamp to be attached directly to the retail container (a Type A stamp for the purposes of the Regulations); and
• A stamp printed by, and incorporated into bottle labels by the industry’s own label printers (a Type B stamp for the purposes of the Regulations).

The freestanding version of the stamp will be obtainable directly from HMRC’s contractor. The label stamp will be produced by the industry’s own label printers from the design specifications provided by HMRC’s contractor.

With the exception of UK registered owners of goods in warehouse (who will only be able to obtain the Type B stamps which have a lower risk of being affixed to illicit bottles of spirit), both formats of the duty stamp will be available to all traders who are registered to receive duty stamps – UK and overseas traders alike. So a UK producer could, if he wished, affix freestanding stamps to his bottles, or an overseas producer could provide bottles with the UK duty stamp already incorporated into the label, having been printed by his own label printer. Further information on the acquisition of the different formats of the stamp is contained in this section.