Availability of Mobile Application to Authenticate Internal Revenue Stamps on Cigarettes

April 12, 2016 REVENUE MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 051-16 SUBJECT : Availability of Mobile Application to Authenticate Internal Revenue Stamps on Cigarettes TO : All Internal Revenue Officers and Others Concerned This Circular is issued to inform the public of the availability of a mobile application known as Stamp Verifier app , that will enable the user to determine the authenticity of the internal revenue stamps affixed to locally manufactured cigarettes intended for domestic consumption as well as imported cigarettes required under Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 7-2014 as amended by RR Nos. 8 and 9-2014 and 9-2015 . The use of this mobile app will provide the public with a tool in identifying smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes proliferating in the country. What is Stamp Verifier app? Stamp Verifier app is an Android and iOS application for BIR and public use to verify the validity of QR code of the stamp affixed on a cigarette pack. QR Code, one of the security features of the stamp, refers to a two-dimensional bar code that holds information relative to the product to which the stamp is affixed, including a Unique Identifier Code (UIC) which is a code or serial number that represents an internal revenue stamp. What are the minimum technical requirements needed to download a Stamp Verifier app? The following are the device requirements for the application: iOS Android iOS 8 and above Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich MR1) and above With Internet Connection via Wi-fi or With Internet Connection via Wi-fi or Mobile Data Mobile Data Enabled Location Services Enabled Location Services Apple account Google Account Note that the performance of the app may be attributed to the speed of the internet connection and the quality of the unit's built-in camera. How to download and install the Stamp Verifier app? The Stamp Verifier app may be downloaded from the Google Play Store or Apple's App Store free of charge. I. For Android : o Go to Google Play Store . o Search for the Stamp Verifier app. o Tap the icon of the app. o Tap Install to initiate the installation. Tap Accept . II. For iOS : o Go to App Store : o Search for the Stamp Verifier app. o Tap the icon of the app. o Tap Get then Install to initiate the installation. CAIHTE o If asked, enter your Apple ID password. How to use the Stamp Verifier app? I. For Android : o Connect to a Wi-Fi or turn on Mobile Data. o Enable location services in Settings. o Locate and tap the Stamp Verifier app on your device. o To start scanning a QR Code, tap Scan . o Hold and point the camera of the phone perpendicular to the QR Code. o Place the QR Code within the rectangular frame. o If there is poor lighting, turn on the camera flash. o Orange/Yellow dots will appear when parts of the QR code is detected. Focus the camera where the dots are most visible. o When a QR code is fully detected, a corresponding scan result will display: i. "Valid for UIC: <xxxxxxxxxxxxx>" ii. "Invalid QR Code" When the 20-second timer elapses from the time the camera is opened and there is no QR code detected, a message "no QR code detected" will appear and the user will be advised to go back to the main page by pressing the back button. o To try again, tap Scan otherwise, tap Exit to close the app. II. For iOS : o Connect to a Wi-Fi or turn on Mobile Data. o Enable location services in Settings. o Locate and tap the Stamp Verifier app on your device. o To start scanning a QR Code, tap Scan . o Hold and point the camera of the phone perpendicular to the QR Code. o When a QR code is fully detected, a corresponding scan result will display: i. "Valid for UIC: <xxxxxxxxxxxxx>" ii. "Invalid QR Code" When the 20-second timer elapses from the time the camera is opened and there is no QR code detected, a message "no QR code detected" will be displayed, tap OK. o To try again, tap Scan . What does "Invalid QR Code" mean? Cigarette packs scanned with " Invalid QR Code " contains a UIC which is neither in the database of UICs corresponding to the stamp already issued nor does it match the corresponding data elements, concluding that these are either smuggled or counterfeit cigarettes. The information retrieved thru scanning shall automatically be uploaded to the IRSIS Mobile App Web Service for monitoring and evaluation purposes. Thereafter, BIR, based on the evaluated information, shall institute actions on persons responsible for the manufacture/sale of these cigarette packs. A separate Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) shall be issued for the purpose. All concerned are hereby enjoined to give this Circular as wide a publicity as possible. DETACa (SGD.) KIM S. JACINTO-HENARES Commissioner of Internal Revenue