Marketing and Trade

 
 

We are committed to ensuring the responsible marketing and trade of Group products.

Responsible Marketing

We are committed to responsible marketing of all our products only to adult consumers aged 18 or over.

Our marketing is governed by our Responsible Marketing Principles and Responsible Marketing Code, available at www.bat.com/imp or the relevant local Group Company website.

As such, we expect our Suppliers engaged in marketing and trade of our products to comply with:

  • the Group’s Responsible Marketing Principles and Responsible Marketing Code as a minimum standard where they are stricter than local laws; or
  • local laws or other local marketing codes where they are stricter than, or override, Group marketing principles.
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  • Illicit Trade
  • Types of Illicit Products
 

Illicit Trade

The fight against the illicit trade in our products is an important priority for the Group. Illicit trade in smuggled and counterfeit products, as well as diversion of genuine BAT products, harms our business and undermines BAT’s reputation.

We do not condone or tolerate any involvement in illicit trade in our products and it is vital that our Suppliers have no direct or indirect involvement in, or support for, illicit trade in our products.

As such, Suppliers must:

  • not knowingly engage in or support unlawful trade in our products;
  • implement effective controls to prevent illicit trade, including:
    1. robust due diligence processes in place for all their customers and/ or suppliers;
    2. measures to ensure supply to market reflects legitimate demand; and
    3. procedures for, where relevant, investigating, suspending and terminating dealings with customers, Suppliers or individuals suspected of involvement in illicit trade
  • collaborate with authorities in any official investigation of illicit trade, while ensuring this is done in a lawful manner and in line with our zero tolerance for any form of bribery, corruption, or fraud given the heightened bribery and corruption risks in dealings with Public Officials.
 

Types of Illicit Products

Counterfeit or fake:

Unauthorised copies of branded products that have been manufactured without the knowledge or permission of the trademark owner.

Local tax evaded:

Illicit whites/local tax-evaded products are smuggled products that are legally manufactured in one country with the intent to be sold illegally in another, without paying applicable taxes and duties.

Smuggled:

Products (either genuine or counterfeit) which are moved from one country to another without paying taxes or duties in the intended market of retail sales, or in breach of laws prohibiting their import or export.

 

Contacting the Group