UAE Ministry of Finance Introduces Tiered Volumetric Excise Tax Model for Sweetened Beverages
The UAE Ministry of Finance has announced the introduction of a tiered volumetric excise tax model for sweetened beverages, marking a significant evolution in the country’s fiscal and public health framework. The reform represents a strategic shift from the existing flat-rate excise regime toward a more calibrated taxation structure aligned with sugar content and product composition. Under the new model, excise tax on sweetened beverages will be applied based on the volume of sugar per 100 milliliters, rather than a uniform percentage rate. This tiered mechanism is designed to incentivize manufacturers to reformulate products with lower sugar concentrations, while simultaneously supporting the UAE’s broader public health objectives aimed at reducing sugar consumption and lifestyle-related diseases. The decision reflects a policy alignment between fiscal sustainability and preventive healthcare. By introducing a volumetric structure, the Ministry is enhancing transparency and pr...