SODA & SOFT DRINKS

Carbonated and sweetened drinks face strict excise rules in the GCC, from formulation to DTS. TAG helps you avoid delays and launch with confidence.

Compliant from Day One

We help soda and soft drink brands meet GCC excise and labeling standards with precision.

Product Tiering

Excise classification for sugar-based drinks.

Excise Approval Strategy

FTA vs SFDA clearance route selection.

Formula Review

Sweetener and additive check compliance.

Label Compliance 

GCC rules on warnings, claims, descriptors.

Import Risk Mitigation 

Fix customs code issues before clearance.

Retail Shelf Readiness 

SKU, pack and shelf display alignment.

UAE, KSA, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain — with region-specific compliance handled end-to-end.

UAE, KSA, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain

Book a 10 min discovery call

What we Deliver

Consulting for Soda & Soft Drinks Products

Demand, Formulation & Category Fit

From excise eligibility to format mapping, we help beverage brands make informed market entry decisions across the GCC. TAG delivers insights on demand potential, SKU viability, and category risks—ensuring launch strategies align with compliance and consumer behavior.

Explore Market Entry Intelligence

Setup Built for Beverage Compliance

From choosing the right license type to meeting food-grade import standards, TAG helps carbonated and sweetened beverage brands establish region-ready entities. We guide you through trade registration, municipality requirements, and cross-border licensing frameworks.

Explore Business Setup

Excise-Aligned Beverage Formulation

Our team works with R&D and regulatory teams to validate that sugar levels, sweeteners, preservatives, and ingredients meet excise compliance. We advise on reformulations, nutritional labeling, and pack size viability to ensure retail and approval success in key GCC markets.

Explore Product Development

Accelerated Lab & Excise Approvals

We support product testing through GCC-approved labs to validate excise classification, ingredient safety, and packaging compliance. TAG also manages SFDA, ESMA, and FIRS registration steps across multiple jurisdictions, avoiding delays and relabeling issues.

Explore Testing & Registration

Shelf-Ready Routes to Market

TAG provides go-to-market support for FMCG beverage brands—mapping the most effective retail channels and connecting with vetted GCC distributors. We also advise on promotional restrictions, bulk shipping, and pricing tiers that align with excise-inflated costs.

Explore Retail & Distribution

Claims, Labels & Risk Mitigation

We ensure your brand communications, packaging claims, and campaign strategies are fully compliant with health warnings and marketing regulations across the region. From descriptor audits to POS checks, TAG keeps you protected in high-risk regulated categories.

Explore Marketing, Risk & Compliance

Demand, Formulation & Category Fit

From excise eligibility to format mapping, we help beverage brands make informed market entry decisions across the GCC. TAG delivers insights on demand potential, SKU viability, and category risks—ensuring launch strategies align with compliance and consumer behavior.

Explore Market Entry Intelligence

Setup Built for Beverage Compliance

From choosing the right license type to meeting food-grade import standards, TAG helps carbonated and sweetened beverage brands establish region-ready entities. We guide you through trade registration, municipality requirements, and cross-border licensing frameworks.

Business Setup

Excise-Aligned Beverage Formulation

Our team works with R&D and regulatory teams to validate that sugar levels, sweeteners, preservatives, and ingredients meet excise compliance. We advise on reformulations, nutritional labeling, and pack size viability to ensure retail and approval success in key GCC markets.

Product Development

Accelerated Lab & Excise Approvals

We support product testing through GCC-approved labs to validate excise classification, ingredient safety, and packaging compliance. TAG also manages SFDA, ESMA, and FIRS registration steps across multiple jurisdictions, avoiding delays and relabeling issues.

Testing & Registration

Shelf-Ready Routes to Market

TAG provides go-to-market support for FMCG beverage brands—mapping the most effective retail channels and connecting with vetted GCC distributors. We also advise on promotional restrictions, bulk shipping, and pricing tiers that align with excise-inflated costs.

Retail & Distribution

Claims, Labels & Risk Mitigation

We ensure your brand communications, packaging claims, and campaign strategies are fully compliant with health warnings and marketing regulations across the region. From descriptor audits to POS checks, TAG keeps you protected in high-risk regulated categories.

Marketing, Risk & Compliance

Results Backed by Regional Experience

TAG has helped soft drink and carbonated beverage brands meet GCC compliance with speed and accuracy. From ingredient approvals to distributor placement, we’ve supported every step of the regulatory process. Each number here reflects streamlined launches and long-term results.

Book a 10 min discovery call

60+ 

Soda and soft drink SKUs cleared for GCC distribution

100%

First-time product and packaging compliance approval

5

GCC markets served with full compliance coverage

40% 

Average reduction in launch timeline

Clarity Before Commitment

Questions We Often Hear From Tobacco Brands

Everything you need to know about getting setup in the MENA region

Are soft drinks subject to excise in MENA?

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Many GCC countries now tax carbonated beverages either per liter or based on sugar content.

How is excise applied to soft drinks?

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It is typically volume-based or follows sugar-based tiered systems calculated at the first point of sale.

Do small pack sizes incur the same tax?

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Yes. All packaging types are taxed regardless of serving size or container type.

Who is responsible for paying the tax?

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The importer or manufacturer pays excise at clearance. Retailers are usually exempt unless they self-distribute.

Can excise paid on exportable goods be reclaimed?

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Many markets allow reclaiming tax for export shipments with documented proof and timely filing.

What labeling is required for soft drinks?

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Mandatory labels include sugar content, health warnings, and country of origin and must match the registered submission.