Illicit Trade
Anti-Illicit Trade
Illicit tobacco trade undermines South Africa's legal tobacco industry, reduces government revenue, threatens jobs, and creates unfair competition for compliant businesses.
Illicit Trade Impact
Illegal trade creates market distortion and weakens compliant businesses.
What is Illicit Trade?
Illicit tobacco trade refers to the illegal production, importation, distribution or sale of tobacco products outside lawful and tax-compliant channels.
Scale of the Problem
Verified public estimates suggest alarming volumes of illicit trade across South Africa.
Access Official SARS Tobacco Trade Data
For the latest official import and export trade data on tobacco, users can access the SARS Trade Statistics Portal directly.
Impact on the Legal Tobacco Industry
The ripple effects of illicit trade touch every corner of the legal tobacco value chain.
Causes of Growth
The illicit trade issue is not only a tobacco industry problem. It affects tax collection, lawful businesses, jobs and the broader economy.
How to Identify Illicit Tobacco Products
Simple signs of non-compliance for retailers, consumers and industry stakeholders.
Suspect Illicit Tobacco Trade? Report It.
Help protect South Africa's legal tobacco value chain by reporting suspected illicit tobacco activity to the relevant authorities.
CGCSA
Consumer Goods Council Crime Risk Initiative.
SARS
South African Revenue Service Fraud/Tax Evasion Hotline.
Trusted Public Sources
The page content should be supported by verified public-domain information and SATTA-approved studies.