Sugar tax implemented from today
PUCHONG: The Customs Department have instructed licensed importers of sweetened beverages to come up with a letter of undertaking and lab reports as that would determine whether the importers need to pay their duties in the event the sugar content is beyond the stipulated threshold.
The lab reports are compulsory for exempted goods but importers are given a lee way via postponement from submitting the lab reports from July 1 to Aug 31.
These are among the procedures spelt out by the Customs Department in the implementation of the excise tax on sugary beverages during the two-month transition period.
The import of sugary drinks must be declared in Form K1 which is meant for declaration of imported goods.
The lab reports will have to be submitted within a month after the submission of Form K1.
For domestic sales of dutiable sugary drinks, licensed manufacturers will use the Excise Form No.7 and the declaration will be for a period of one calendar month.
“The declaration needs to be made no later than the last date of the following month.
“Declaration for the local sales of products exempted from the duty will also use the Excise Form No.7,” it said.
In a statement yesterday, the Customs Department announced that the import and manufacturing of sugary drinks were subject to excise duty effective today.
By: K Pragalath
