HMDS2360 - Scheme Description: Design and appearance of the stamp

Both formats of duty stamp will contain a series of visible and hidden features. To the naked eye, both formats of stamp look similar i.e. the same size, colours, layout, to aid consumer recognition.

Each type of stamp contains number of security features, some of which will be visible only with decoders or be determined by knowledge which is restricted to HMRC.

Freestanding stamp (Type A)

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000) The wording on the stamp says ‘For the UK market’,’liable to UK excise duty’ and ‘HM Revenue and Customs’. There is also a product identifier on each stamp which will either be ‘whisky/whiskey’,’gin’, “vodka”, ‘rum’, ‘brandy’ or ‘other product’. There is also a unique reference number on each stamp, of which, the first ‘alpha’ character will denote the product Type (i.e. G = Gin, W = Whisky/Whiskey etc). The number can be used to trace the origins of the stamp.

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)

Label stamp (Type B)

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)