UAE Sets New Minimum Excise Price for Tobacco and Vape Liquids from September 2026
The UAE Cabinet has fixed a new minimum excise price of AED 1 per millilitre for liquids used in electronic smoking devices, effective 1 September 2026. The change comes under Cabinet Decision No. 137 of 2026, issued 24 July 2026, and it does not raise the underlying 100% excise tax rate – it sets a […]
Excise Audit Penalties Explained for Retail, Hospitality & Oil & Gas
Excise audits in the UAE have shifted from basic compliance checks to data-driven enforcement exercises. According to regional tax advisory observations and enforcement patterns, excise penalties now account for a growing share of indirect tax assessments, particularly in high-risk industries such as retail, hospitality, and oil & gas. Businesses that assume excise penalties apply […]
UAE Excise Tax 2026: How the New Tiered Volumetric Sugar Tax Model Impacts Retail and Hospitality Profit Margins
Recover Overpaid Excise Tax: UAE 2026 Transitional Refund Claims for Retail and Hospitality On January 1, 2026, the UAE excise tax landscape fundamentally transformed. The familiar 50% flat tax on all sweetened beverages vanished, replaced by a sophisticated tiered volumetric model that links tax liability directly to sugar content. For retail and hospitality businesses across […]
Excise Tax Advisory in the UAE: Turning Regulatory Compliance into Business Confidence
The UAE’s Excise Tax framework reflects the nation’s commitment to public welfare, fiscal transparency, and global best practices. Introduced to regulate the consumption of specific goods while strengthening non-oil revenues, Excise Tax has evolved into a high-compliance, high-scrutiny tax regime. For businesses dealing in excisable goods—such as tobacco products, energy drinks, sweetened beverages, electronic smoking devices, […]
UAE Excise Tax Update Effective 1 January 2026: Tiered Sugar-Based Tax on Sweetened Drinks Explained
A Major Shift in UAE Excise Tax Policy from 2026 The UAE continues to refine its tax framework in line with global best practices and public health objectives. From 1 January 2026, a significant update to the UAE Excise Tax regime will come into effect, directly impacting producers, importers, and stockpilers of sweetened drinks. Under […]