Glossary of Tax Stamp Terms
There are 69 entries in this glossary.All
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Algorithm |
an iterative mathematical procedure used to combine information to create a cipher or secret code. The basis of many proprietary coding systems. |
| Alphanumeric |
a character set that contains letters and numbers |
| Authentic |
real, genuine, valid, of undisputed origin. Authentication is the process of confirming that a product, document or even person is authentic |
| Banderol |
sometimes used interchangeably with tax stamps, but more often used (taking its cue from the dictionary definition, which is a pennant or long flag) to describe the elongated stamps that are applied to both sides of a bottle cap or cigarette pack. Banderol is applied to products by wet glue process rather than with a heat transfer decal or pressure sensitive label. |
| Barcode |
a series of vertical printed bars of controlled thickness and separation representing variable data information in a linear format. A 2D barcode consists of a representation of solid and clear images (usually squares) in a matrix format over a specific two dimensional structure |
| Bootlegging |
a form of smuggling across state or provincial borders to earn money from intra-national or inter-state tax differentials. |
| Chemical reactants |
substrates impregnated with sensitive agents that enable authentication of the paper by a chemical reaction, or that react to solvents to demonstrate attempts at fraudulent alteration |
| Cipher |
an encrypted message representing a range of characters. |
| Code |
a system of letters or symbols by means of which information may be represented |
| Colour shift |
an optically variable effect whereby the material – usually a thin film or ink – changes from one colour to another, or from one colour to clear, when the viewing angle is altered. |
| Contraband |
goods whose importation or exportation or possession is prohibited by law |
| Counterfeit |
an imitation of a document, product or its packaging that is made with the intent to deceptively represent the item as the genuine article |
| Covert |
a concealed or hidden feature that is not apparent and can only be viewed via with special reading or lighting equipment (see overt) |
| Datamatrix |
a barcode consisting of many lines of linear barcodes arranged into a rectangular or square format. Its advantage is that it can carry much more information than a single, linear barcode. It is also known as a 2D barcode. |
| Decryption |
the process of converting encrypted data back into its original form (see encryption) |