Mozambique Tax Authority Partners with OpSec

London, GBR, January 10, 2022 – The Mozambique Tax Authority alongside OpSec Security, a global leader in the provision of government protection solutions, announced that from February 7, 2022 a new phase of combating excise tax evasion will begin with the marking of beers and ready-to-drink beverages (RTDs) in the country.

Having been selected after an international public tender, OpSec Security operates as a concessionaire for the Mozambican State, supporting the Tax Authority with the provision of a fully integrated protection regime against illicit trade and tax losses. This includes the provision of fiscal control seals applied to domestically produced and imported products, as well as the management, tracking and validation of products anywhere in the supply chain, through its proprietary OpSec Insight® platform.

OpSec solutions securely mark billions of products annually on behalf of governments and leading commercial brands. Since its inception in 2017, Mozambique’s mandatory tax stamp program, which until now was applicable to manufactured tobacco and alcoholic beverages (wines and spirits), has led to significant increases in the collection of excise taxes and visibility of the supply chain. The program is now expanding to include beer and ready-to-drink beverages, with all products subject to stamping carrying the control mark from February 7, 2022.

Under the leadership of the Tax Authority, OpSec Security is working closely with brewers as well as importers and other interested parties, to provide its proven Direct to Product (DTP) digital marking solution. The DTP solution was designed with consideration to manufacturers’ high speed production requirements and after extensive needs analysis, testing and preparation.

Keith Thompson, OpSec Security Vice President for Government Solutions, said: “As we move towards implementing the next phase of this program, we are committed to supporting the Tax Authority in combating illicit trade, ensuring the protection of tax revenue and of consumers’ health. The global trade in counterfeit and smuggled alcohol is enormous and the effects on companies operating in this market can be devastating, in addition to causing significant losses in revenue collection for the country.”

“Eager to provide our DTP solution, we work closely with all beer makers and importers and RTDs in the Republic of Mozambique to ensure their products comply with legislation before the February implementation deadline and are protected from illicit trade,” added Thompson.