June 2011

The purpose of this notice is to provide clarification regarding the tobacco marking requirements under the amended Stamping and Marking of Tobacco Products Regulations (SOR/2003-288).

Definitions

Excise Act, 2001

"container" in respect of a tobacco product, means a wrapper, package, carton, box, crate or other container that contains the tobacco product.

"packaged" means
(a) in respect of raw leaf tobacco or a tobacco product, packaged in a prescribed package…

Stamping and Marking of Tobacco Products Regulations

"carton" means a paperboard box or wrapper containing 15 or fewer packages of cigarettes or 200 or fewer tobacco sticks.

"case" means a corrugated cardboard box in which packages or cartons of tobacco products are packed, primarily for the purpose of transport and protection against damage.

Application

Effective February 16, 2011, the Stamping and Marking of Tobacco Products Regulations were amended to reflect the marking requirements for the administration of the new tobacco stamping regime. In this context, the term "container" as it applies to the application of tobacco "markings" will be administered in the same manner as was applicable prior to the regulatory amendments as shown below.

For purposes of Schedule 7 to the regulations, the bilingual tobacco marking for the amended regulations remains unchanged as follows:

NOT FOR SALE
VENTE INTERDITE
IN/AU CANADA

Tobacco markings are to be printed on or affixed to "containers" of manufactured tobacco and cigars manufactured in Canada. The text font size specification for the markings applicable to packages and cartons may be modified, but may not be smaller than Helvetica, 8 point. The Light Blue background colour applies only to the tobacco marking printed on or affixed to cartons.

The specifications that apply to markings to be affixed to packages and to cartons are:

• Text Colour: Process Black 100%
• Text Font: Helvetica, minimum 8 point
• Background Colour for cartons: Light Blue

The specifications that apply to markings to be affixed to cases are:

• Text Colour: Process Black 100%
• Text Font: Helvetica, minimum 36 point font
• Size: 7cm x 19 cm

For the purposes of the bilingual tobacco marking for Schedule 8, the term "containers" applies to cases, as follows:

DUTY NOT PAID
CANADA
DROIT NON ACQUITTÉ

The case marking specifications are:

• Text Colour: Process Black 100%
• Text Font: Helvetica, minimum 36 point
• Format Width: minimum 19 cm
• Format Height: minimum 7 cm
• Format Border: minimum 1.5 point