Excise tax labels: compliance, protection and trust
Excise tax labels, also known as tobacco tax stamps, are mandatory markings applied to cigarette, cigar, and tobacco packaging across the European Union. They confirm that excise duties have been paid and that the products are legally approved for sale. Beyond tax compliance, these labels help prevent counterfeit products, support traceability throughout the supply chain, and protect both government revenue and consumer safety. Under EU rules, tobacco products without official excise labels cannot be legally sold, distributed, or exported.
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How excise labels support regulatory compliance
The Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) and Council Directive 2011/64/EU set strict standards for the display of excise labels on tobacco products. These directives require visible and permanent markings that may include unique serial codes, barcodes, holograms, or microtext. These features make duplication difficult and allow authorities to quickly verify authenticity. Many excise labels are also tamper-evident, meaning any attempt to remove or transfer the label leaves visible damage, ensuring products remain legally compliant and secure.
Why adhesive selection is critical
The adhesive used on excise labels plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and legality of the packaging. Self-adhesive excise labels with pressure-sensitive adhesives provide a reliable, strong bond without the need for additional glue or heat. These adhesives resist temperature changes, moisture, and abrasion, ensuring the label stays firmly attached throughout handling, shipping, and storage. Importantly, the adhesive must preserve printed security elements and remain compatible with serialization systems used by authorities.
When excise labels are not self-adhesive
In some EU countries, tax authorities provide excise labels in non-adhesive form. These labels still need to be permanently affixed to packaging to comply with regulations. Using standard glues can cause bubbling, wrinkling, or even damage the security features on the label. Specialized adhesive solutions are therefore essential. They allow manufacturers to attach the label securely while preserving its original appearance, security features, and legal validity.
Multifoil’s adhesive solution for tax stamps
Multifoil, a European manufacturer and supplier of high-quality adhesive solutions, offers a double-sided adhesive layer designed to convert non-adhesive excise labels into self-adhesive labels. The tape is thin, transparent, and pressure-sensitive, preserving printed elements and tamper-evident security features. It can be applied manually or integrated into automated systems, providing long-term adhesion under varying temperatures, humidity, and handling conditions. Multifoil’s solution ensures full compliance with EU regulations while making label application faster, easier, and more reliable.
Benefits for manufacturers and distributors
Using Multifoil’s adhesive tape ensures excise labels remain securely attached, safeguarding legal compliance and product authenticity. It supports anti-counterfeiting efforts, reinforces brand reputation, and simplifies inspections and verification. Whether using self-adhesive excise labels or converting non-adhesive labels with Multifoil’s solution, manufacturers and distributors can maintain consistent compliance across all EU markets, protect revenue, and ensure consumers receive authentic products.
Working with a trusted European supplier
Multifoil understands the practical and regulatory needs of the EU tobacco industry. As a trusted European supplier and manufacturer of adhesive solutions, we provide products designed for high-volume production lines, precise application, and long-term durability. Our solutions combine performance, compliance, and reliability, helping manufacturers and distributors apply excise labels efficiently while maintaining security, quality, and legal adherence at every stage.
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We recognize the challenges of selecting the right tape, as it often involves extensive effort.
Let us do the work!
Why choose Multifoil
Six reasons not to miss out on collaborating with Multifoil. We offer a wide range of resources, from state-of-the-art facilities to a skilled workforce, ensuring that partners have access to the necessary tools and support for success.
We have the advantage of possessing an in-house laboratory, a proficient R&D team, and 4 decades of production know-how. This enables us to engineer and produce the most optimal long-term results for you.
At our company, we strive to provide excellence in all aspects of our operations, including the sourcing of high-quality raw materials, the manufacturing of top-notch products, rigorous development and testing processes, and outstanding service delivery to our valued customers. Rest assured that our commitment to quality is unwavering.
We understand that collaborating towards a solution and sharing your knowledge, developments and market insight can be a daunting task. However, please be assured that we value integrity and trust above all else in our work with you. Any confidential information you share with us will be kept strictly confidential and if needed we will be happy to sign an NDA. Let's work together towards finding the best solutions for your needs.
Long-term relationships can seem almost inevitable when bonding is the foundation of your company. We are fortunate that many of our valued customers, both large and small, choose to stay with us for extended periods, often until the end of their application. Equally important to us are our suppliers, to whom we remain loyal, just as our customers remain loyal to us. And finally, our team - once you become part of our ‘sticky’ group, it's challenging to break away.
We take pride in our production facility, equipped with over 20 high-performing converting machines and 5 coating lines for rubber and acrylic. Our team is equally impressive, boasting an average tenure of 14 years, and they are more than capable of tackling any challenge thrown their way. Our shared passion for excellence makes working together a joy, and you will undoubtedly feel this sense of enthusiasm and commitment when collaborating with us.
With our expansive warehouse stocked with finished products and raw materials, we guarantee on-time delivery that precisely matches your specifications. In addition, we can fulfill call-off orders, granting you access to your products exactly when you need them. Our delivery and service team has years of international experience and is eager to assist you in any way they can.