Qatar’s General Tax Authority (GTA) has announced that a new excise tax on sweetened drinks will come into effect on 6 July 2026, as part of the country’s ongoing efforts to promote healthier lifestyles and reduce sugar consumption.

The new tax will apply to a variety of sweetened beverage products, including:
Sugar-sweetened soft drinks
Juices with added sugar
Beverage concentrates
Powders and extracts used to prepare drinks
Other products that can be converted into beverages

Under the new framework, the applicability of the excise tax will be determined according to the sugar content per 100 ml of the beverage.

Excise Tax Rates for Sweetened Drinks

High Sugar Content
Sugar level: Greater than or equal to 8 grams per 100 ml
Applicable tax: 1.06 QAR per liter

Medium Sugar Content
Sugar level: From 5 grams to 7.99 grams per 100 ml
Applicable tax: 0.77 QAR per liter

Low Sugar Content
Sugar level: Less than 5 grams per 100 ml
Applicable tax: Zero tax

Artificially Sweetened Drinks
Applicable tax: Zero tax

The GTA stated that the measure aims to encourage consumers and manufacturers to reduce sugar intake and support public health objectives by promoting healthier beverage choices across the country.

The new excise tax will officially take effect on 6 July 2026.