Islamabad: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has made it mandatory for cement bags to carry tax stamps before being cleared from production sites or manufacturing plants, effective from November 1, 2025.
The directive, issued under Sales Tax General Order (STGO) No. 5 of 2025, replaces the earlier STGO No. 19 of 2022. It requires that all cement bags removed from factories, manufacturing sites, or import stations must bear a tax stamp or Unique Identification Marking (UIM). These stamps can be obtained from the FBR’s authorised licensees, which include M/s AJCL, MITAS, and Authentix Consortium.
According to the FBR, the measure is part of its broader efforts to enhance transparency, ensure compliance, and strengthen electronic monitoring across key sectors. The directive has been issued under Section 40C(2) of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, and Rule 150ZF of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006, which empower the FBR to introduce electronic tracking systems for goods subject to sales tax.
The tax stamp system will help monitor the movement of cement products throughout the supply chain, curb tax evasion, and promote fair competition in the industry.
The FBR has advised all stakeholders in the cement sector to make the necessary arrangements before the implementation deadline to ensure a smooth transition to the new compliance framework.
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