Manufacturers of non-alcoholic sweetened beverages face Friday deadline for new SCT licensing requirement

Manufacturers of non-alcoholic sweetened beverages have until Friday to be licensed under the new provisions of the Government’s Special Consumption Tax (SCT).

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) said an extension was granted following a meeting with representatives from the administration, the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association and the Finance Ministry.

Under the new provisions, which took effect May 1, manufacturers of the applicable beverages are now required to be licensed under the Excise Duty Act and register with TAJ for Special Consumption Tax purposes.

The measure applies to beverages containing added sugar and artificial sweeteners, including carbonated drinks, sweetened juices, sports drinks, energy drinks, flavoured water and other sweetened beverages intended for human consumption.

The tax will be charged at a specific rate of J$0.22 per gram of added sugar or sweetener in the beverage.

As a result, affected products may see price adjustments.

In April, the Government indicated that the measure forms part of a broader fiscal and public-health policy initiative aimed at reducing excessive sugar consumption while strengthening revenue measures.