MUSCAT: Oman will impose a 50 per cent excise tax on sweetened drinks starting from October 1, Tax Authority has informed on Wednesday.

Beverages containing added sugar or sweeteners that are ready-to-drink, concentrates, gels, powders, extracts, or any form that can be converted into sugar sweetened beverage, will be subject to a 50 per cent excise tax from October 1, 2020, the authority said.

However, the list excluded some products such as 100 per cent natural fruit and vegetable juices, milk, and other dairy products that contain at least 75 per cent of milk, nutritional supplements, and beverages intended for special dietary and medical use.

“The authority would also like to emphasize the need for importers of goods subject to selective tax (including sweetened drinks) to verify the presence of the products they import in the list of taxable products on the online portal of the tax authority,” the statement from the Tax Authority said.

Last year, Oman introduced a 100% tax on tobacco, alcohol, pork meat and energy drinks and a 50% tax on carbonated drinks.