Tobacco Products Duty Act 1979
1979 c.7An Act to consolidate the enactments relating to the excise duty on tobacco products.
1 Tobacco products.¶
C142 Charge and remission or repayment of tobacco products duty.¶
3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F4¶
4 Calculation of duty in case of cigarettes more than 8 cm. long.¶
For the purposes of the references to a thousand cigarettes in paragraph 1 in the Table in Schedule 1 to this Act . . . F5 any cigarette more than 8 cm. long (excluding any filter or mouthpiece) shall be treated as if the first 8 cm. of it, each 3 cm. portion of the remainder of it (if any) and the remaining portion of it (if any) were a separate cigarette.5 Retail price of cigarettes.¶
6 Alteration of rates of duty.¶
6A Anti-forestalling notices in connection with anticipated alteration of rate of duty¶
where—
TPY is the total quantity of the tobacco products, or (as the case may be) of the tobacco products of a particular description, removed for home use by the person in the period of 12 months ending with the third month before the month in which the controlled period begins, and
DCP is the number of days in the controlled period.
6B Anti-forestalling notices: sanctions¶
7 Regulations for management of duty.¶
7A Duty not to facilitate smuggling¶
7B Penalty for facilitating smuggling: initial notice¶
7C Penalty for facilitating evasion: penalty notice¶
7D Sections 7A to 7C: supplemental¶
8 Charge in cases of default.¶
8A Fiscal marks: introductory.¶
Fiscal marking applies to tobacco products that are—8B Power to alter range of products to which fiscal marking applies.¶
8C Fiscal mark regulations.¶
8D Fiscal marks: public notices.¶
8E Failure to comply with fiscal mark regulations and public notices.¶
8F Sale of marked tobacco when not permitted: penalties.¶
- “ a period of sale mark ” means a fiscal mark indicating any of the matters mentioned in subsection (2)(e) of section 8C above; and
- “ prohibited time ”, in relation to tobacco products that carry a period of sale mark, means a time when, according to the mark, sale of the products is not permissible.
8G Offences: possession and sale etc. of unmarked tobacco.¶
8H Offences: use of premises for sale of unmarked tobacco.¶
8J Interfering with fiscal marks: penalties.¶
8JA Tracing and security: regulations¶
- “relevant existing law” means—
- Chapter 2 of Part 1 of the Finance Act 1994 (customs and excise: appeals and penalties);
- the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Tax Chamber) Rules 2009 (S.I. 2009/273);
- the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/829);
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/573 of 15 December 2017 on key elements of data storage contracts to be concluded as part of a traceability system for tobacco products;
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/574 of 15 December 2017 on technical standards for the establishment and operation of a traceability system for tobacco products;
- Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/576 of 15 December 2017 on technical standards for security features applied to tobacco products;
- the Tobacco Products (Traceability and Security Features) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/594);
- “specified” means specified by or under tracing and security regulations;
- “traceability system for tobacco products” has the meaning given in subsection (2)(a);
- “tracing and security regulations” means regulations under subsection (1);
- “unit pack” means the smallest individual packaging in which a tobacco product is, or is intended to be, presented for sale to a consumer (but not including any transparent wrapper).
8JB Tracing and security: sanctions¶
8JC Tracing and security: disclosure of information¶
- “the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act);
- “the investigatory powers legislation” means Parts 1 to 7 and Chapter 1 of Part 9 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.
8K Raw tobacco: definitions¶
8L Raw tobacco: requirement for approval¶
8M Regulations about approval etc.¶
The Commissioners may, by or under regulations, make provision—8N Exemptions from requirement for approval¶
8O Raw tobacco: penalties¶
8P Penalties under section 8O: special reduction¶
8Q Penalties under section 8O: assessment of penalty¶
8R Penalties under section 8O: reasonable excuse¶
8S Penalties under section 8O: double jeopardy¶
A person is not liable to a penalty under section 8O in respect of a contravention in respect of which the person has been convicted of an offence.8T Forfeiture of raw tobacco¶
Where a person carries on a controlled activity in relation to raw tobacco in contravention of section 8L(1) or a requirement or restriction imposed by regulations under section 8N, the raw tobacco is liable to forfeiture.8U Raw tobacco: application of Customs and Excise Management Act 1979¶
The Commissioners may by regulations provide that specified provisions of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 apply (with or without modification)—8V Tobacco products manufacturing machinery: licensing scheme¶
9 Regulations.¶
10 Interpretation.¶
- “hand-rolling tobacco” has the meaning given by section 1(2) above; and
- “tobacco products” has the meaning given by section 1(1) above.
- “the Commissioners”
- “the customs and excise Acts”
- “the Customs and Excise Acts 1979”
- “goods”
- “importer”
- “shipped”
- “stores”.
11 Repeals, savings and transitional and consequential provisions.¶
12 Citation and commencement.¶
SCHEDULES
C11SCHEDULE 1 ¶
Table of Rates of Tobacco Products Duty
Section 2(1).
| 1 Cigarettes | An amount equal to the higher of—
|
| 2 Cigars | £417.33 per kilogram |
| 3 Hand-rolling tobacco | £476.83 per kilogram |
| 4 Other smoking tobacco and chewing tobacco | £183.49 per kilogram |
| 5 Tobacco for heating | £343.91 per kilogram |
X1SCHEDULE 2 ¶
REPEALS
Section 11(1).
Footnotes
- C1Act amended by Value Added Tax Act 1983 (c. 55, SIF 40:2), s. 24(1)(3) and Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60, SIF 95), s. 114(1)
- C2Act modified by S.I. 1990/2167, art. 5
- I1Act wholly in force at 1.4.1979 see s. 12(2)
- F1Words in s. 1(3) inserted (27.7.1993) by 1993 s. 14(5)
- F2Words repealed by Finance Act 1981 (c. 35, SIF 40:1), s. 139(6), Sch. 19 Pt. III
- C3S. 2(2) excluded (20.10.1995) by S.I. 1995/2518, reg. 118(f)
- F3Words and paras. (a) and (b) in s. 2(2) substituted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 15(2)
- F4S. 3 repealed by Finance Act 1981 (c. 35, SIF 40:1), s. 139(6), Sch. 19 Pt. III
- F5Words repealed by Finance Act 1981 (c. 35, SIF 40:1), s. 139(6), Sch. 19 Pt. III
- F6Words and paras. (a) and (b) in s. 5(1) substituted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 13(2)
- F7S. 5(1A) inserted (16.7.1992) by Finance (No.2) Act 1992 (c.48), s. 8 (b).
- F8Words in s. 5(3) substituted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 13(3)
- F9Words in s. 5(4) substituted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 13(4)
- F10S. 6(5)(b) together with the word “and” immediately preceding it repealed by Finance Act 1981 (c. 35, SIF 40:1), s. 139(6), Sch. 19 Pt. III
- F11S. 7(1)(aa) inserted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 15(4)
- F12Words in s. 7(1)(b) inserted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 15(5)
- F13S. 7(1)(ba) inserted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 15(6)
- F14S. 7(1)(c)(i) repealed (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, ss. 15(7), 156, Sch. 40 Pt. I(2)
- F15Words in s. 7(1)(d) substituted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 15(8)
- F16S. 7(1A) inserted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 15(9)
- C4S. 7(2) applied (1.12.2002) by The Channel Tunnel (Alcoholic Liquor and Tobacco Products) Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/426), art. 5A (as inserted by The Channel Tunnel (Alcoholic Liquor and Tobacco Products) (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/2693), art. 7)
- F17Words substituted (1.1.1995) by virtue of 1994 c. 9, s. 9, Sch. 4 para. 59 (with s. 19); S.I. 1994/2679, art. 3
- F18Words in s. 8(2) substituted (1.10.1998) by 1998 c. 36, s. 20, Sch. 2 para. 5(a); S.I. 1998/2243, art. 2(1)
- F19Words in s. 8(2) substituted (1.10.1998) by 1998 c. 36, s. 20, Sch. 2 para. 5(b); S.I. 1998/2243, art. 2(1)
- F20S. 8(3) repealed (1.1.1995) by 1994 c. 9, s. 258, Sch. 26, Pt. III (with s. 9); S.I. 1994/2679, art. 3
- F21Ss. 8A-8J inserted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 14
- F22Ss. 8A-8J inserted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 14
- F23Ss. 8A-8J inserted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 14
- F24Ss. 8A-8J inserted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 14
- F25Ss. 8A-8J inserted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 14
- M11994 c. 9.
- F26Ss. 8A-8J inserted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 14
- M21994 c. 9.
- F27Ss. 8A-8J inserted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 14
- F28Ss. 8A-8J inserted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 14
- F29Ss. 8A-8J inserted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 14
- M31994 c. 9.
- F30S. 11(3) repealed (29.4.1996) by 1996 c. 8, s. 205(1), Sch. 41 Pt. III
- M41978 c. 30.
- X1The text of Sch. 2 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
- F31S. 1(2)(2A) repealed (1.8.2003) by Tobacco Products (Descriptions of Products) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1471), arts. 1, 3
- C5S. 7(2) applied (24.11.2003) by Channel Tunnel (Alcoholic Liquor and Tobacco Products) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/2758), arts. 1, 4(c)
- F32S. 5(7)-(12) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), s. 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 98(3); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(e)
- F33Words in s. 5(4) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), s. 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 98(2); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(e)
- F34Ss. 7A-7D inserted (1.10.2006) by Finance Act 2006 (c. 25), s. 2(1)(3); S.I. 2006/2367, art. 2
- F35S. 9(1): s. 9 renumbered as s. 9(1) (1.10.2006) by Finance Act 2006 (c. 25), s. 2(2)(3); S.I. 2006/2367, art. 2
- F36S. 9(2) added (1.10.2006) by Finance Act 2006 (c. 25), s. 2(2)(3); S.I. 2006/2367, art. 2
- F37Words in s. 7D(4) substituted (6.4.2008) by Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments) (Taxes and National Insurance) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/954), arts. 1(1), 5 (with art. 4)
- F38S. 7C(3) substituted for s. 7C(3)-(5) (1.4.2009) by The Transfer of Tribunal Functions and Revenue and Customs Appeals Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/56), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 93(2)
- F39Words in s. 4 heading substituted (1.1.2011) by Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), s. 23(1)(2)
- F40Words in s. 4 substituted (1.1.2011) by Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), s. 23(1)(b)(2)
- F41Words in s. 4 substituted (1.1.2011) by Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), s. 23(1)(a)(2)
- F42S. 1(1A) inserted (1.1.2014) by Finance Act 2013 (c. 29), s. 182(3)(6)
- F43Words in s. 1(1) omitted (1.1.2014) by virtue of Finance Act 2013 (c. 29), s. 182(2)(6)
- F44Words in s. 1(3) omitted (1.1.2014) by virtue of Finance Act 2013 (c. 29), s. 182(4)(6)
- F45S. 1(6) omitted (1.1.2014) by virtue of Finance Act 2013 (c. 29), s. 182(5)(6)
- C6Act modified by Alcoholic Liquor Duties Act 1979 (c. 4), Sch. 2A para. 3(5) (as inserted (22.2.2006) by Finance Act 2004 (c. 12), Sch. 1; S.I. 2006/201, art. 2)
- F46Ss. 6A, 6B inserted (26.3.2015) by Finance Act 2015 (c. 11), s. 56
- F47S. 9(1A) inserted (6.12.2016) by Finance Act 2016 (c. 24), s. 179(2)(b)(5); S.I. 2016/1171, reg. 2(2)
- F48Words in s. 9(1) inserted (6.12.2016) by Finance Act 2016 (c. 24), s. 179(2)(a)(5); S.I. 2016/1171, reg. 2(2)
- C7S. 8L(1) excluded (1.1.2017) by The Raw Tobacco (Approval Scheme) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1172), regs. 1(2), 17
- C8S. 8L(1) excluded (1.1.2017) by The Raw Tobacco (Approval Scheme) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1172), regs. 1(2), 18
- C9S. 8L(1) excluded (1.1.2017) by The Raw Tobacco (Approval Scheme) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1172), regs. 1(2), 19
- C10S. 8L(1) excluded (1.1.2017) by The Raw Tobacco (Approval Scheme) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1172), regs. 1(2), 20(1), (2)
- F49Ss. 8K-8U inserted (6.12.2016 except for the insertion of s. 8L(1), 1.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Finance Act 2016 (c. 24), s. 179(1)(5); S.I. 2016/1171, reg. 2(2)(3)
- F50Words in s. 6(5)(a) substituted (20.5.2017) by Finance Act 2017 (c. 10), s. 23(2)(4)
- F51S. 8V inserted (16.11.2017) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2017 (c. 32), s. 47(1)
- F52Words in s. 9(1A) substituted (16.11.2017) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2017 (c. 32), s. 47(2)
- F53Words in s. 1(3) substituted (12.2.2019) by Finance Act 2019 (c. 1), s. 57(3)
- F54S. 1(1)(f) and word inserted (1.7.2019) by Finance Act 2019 (c. 1), s. 57(2)(b)(7); S.I. 2019/981, reg. 2
- F55Word in s. 1(1)(d) omitted (1.7.2019) by virtue of Finance Act 2019 (c. 1), s. 57(2)(a)(7); S.I. 2019/981, reg. 2
- C11Sch. 1 amended (16.11.2020) by The Tobacco Products Duty (Alteration of Rates) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/1256), arts. 1, 2, Sch.
- C12Act applied (with modifications) (17.12.2020 for specified purposes, 31.12.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Taxation (Post-transition Period) Act 2020 (c. 26), ss. 5, 11(1)(e) (with Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 9
- C13Act applied (31.12.2020) by 1994 c. 23, s. 16(1) (as substituted by Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(3), Sch. 8 para. 13 (with Sch. 8 para. 99) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2019/105 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1495, regs. 1(2), 21), S.I. 2020/1545, Pt. 4 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 7))
- C14S. 2 modified (17.12.2020 for specified purposes, 31.12.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Taxation (Post-transition Period) Act 2020 (c. 26), ss. 4(1)(2)(o), 11(1)(e) (with Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 9
- F56Words in s. 5(1A)(a) substituted (31.12.2020) by Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(3), Sch. 9 para. 7 (with savings and transitional provisions in 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(c)
- C15S. 2(2) excluded (1.8.2021) by S.I. 1995/2518, regs. 133AB(f), 133L, 133N (as inserted by The Value Added Tax (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/715), regs. 1, 43, 47)
- F57Ss. 8JA-8JC inserted (24.2.2022) by Finance Act 2022 (c. 3), s. 93(2)
- F58Word in s. 9(1A) inserted (24.2.2022) by Finance Act 2022 (c. 3), s. 93(3)
- F59Words in s. 10(3) inserted (24.2.2022) by Finance Act 2022 (c. 3), s. 93(4)
- F60Sch. 1 Table substituted (30.10.2024 at 6 p.m.) by Finance Act 2025 (c. 8), s. 65(1)(3)