QDC Customers Urged to Stock Up Before Prices Increase

This follows the news that a new “sin” tax is going to be implemented in the country, covering all goods harmful to human health and the environment as well as some luxury goods, including fast food, cigarettes and alcohol.

Although the prices are already high, the prices of alcohol is likely to increase as import taxes are expected to double. It’s also expected that hotels will be affected by the new taxes.

Increased allowance

Normally, residents with liquor licences have a set monthly allowance which is based on a percentage of their income.

SEE ALSO: Qatar to introduce new sin taxes in the upcoming months

However, starting April 1, the QDC is allowing residents to buy three times their normal quota. This increase in quota usually only happens before the QDC shuts down, such as before closing for the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Since the fasting month is only set to begin end of May, this is rather an unusual move.

Selective taxes

The new sin taxes were approved as a draft law last month, but there is still no official date as to when it will be implemented. However, officials has stated that it could be as early as April.

This tax is separate from the GCC value-added tax (VAT) that will come into effect next year across the Gulf nations.