Excise stamps – Information for consumers

On this page

• What is an excise stamp
• Purpose of an excise stamp
• Products that require an excise stamp
• Infographics about excise stamps

What is an excise stamp

Excise stamps are adhered to the packaging of cannabis, tobacco, and vaping products sold in both online and in-person stores in Canada.

You can identify an excise stamp by its small size, exactly 20 × 40 mm, and various visible features. Some of these features include the words “Duty Paid Canada” and a unique 9 character identifier made up of 3 or 4 capital letters followed by 5 or 6 numbers, on the right side of the stamp.

Each province and territory that has agreed to a coordinated stamp or tax collection arrangement uses a different colour for their excise stamp.

Purpose of the excise stamp

An excise stamp is used to confirm that federal excise duty has been paid on cannabis, tobacco, and vaping products, as required by law.

Look for the excise stamp when purchasing these goods from a store. If you do not see it, do not buy or use the product. It is a contraband product.

The absence of an excise stamp also helps the CRA and law enforcement to identify contraband product. The excise stamp, along with its absence, is just one of the ways the CRA works closely with enforcement partners to ensure compliance with the laws that regulate cannabis, tobacco, and vaping products.

Products that require an excise stamp

Generally, the excise stamp is required on any cannabis, tobacco, and vaping products sold to consumers in Canada. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Cannabis dried material, cannabis edibles, seeds, and oils
• Tobacco, cigarettes, and cigars
• Vaping devices that contain a vaping substance (electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes)
• Vaping substances that are not contained within a vaping device (pod-mods, vape pens, tank systems)

Infographics about excise stamps

For more information about the different products that require excise stamps, refer to the following infographics:

• Cannabis excise stamp – Infographic
• Tobacco excise stamp – Infographic
• Vaping excise stamp – Infographic