Ukraine has completed a full-cycle test of its electronic excise system for alcohol and tobacco. Businesses and the Ministry of Digital Transformation traced goods from production or import through distribution and delivery to the final retail sale.
The pilot involved a major tobacco producer and importer, distributor DLS and the LotOK retail chain. Participants reproduced the process expected after the official launch: registration of goods, transfer to a distributor, arrival at a shop and sale to a customer.
A digital mark for every stage
European product codes were used as the basis for electronic excise marks. Once an item was sold, information about its mark appeared first in the State Tax Service system and then in eExcise. This creates a traceable record instead of relying only on a physical paper stamp.
The reform is meant to reduce illegal trade, protect consumers from counterfeit products and make excise revenue more transparent. For companies, it also means updating accounting, warehouse, distribution and checkout processes before the system becomes mandatory.
The full launch is planned for November. Until then, producers, importers and retailers can join testing and check whether their internal systems are ready. The transition matters because Ukraine is estimated to lose about thirty billion hryvnias annually through the shadow market for excisable goods.
