Excise Tax in 2026: return deadline, new prices and enforcement
10 Sep 2026
Excise Tax tends to get less attention than VAT and Corporate Tax. Three items from the latest FTA updates deserve a place on the finance agenda.
Filing date
The FTA announcements page lists 15 October 2026 as the final deadline to file the Excise return.
New excise prices
Cabinet Decision No. 137 of 2026 sets the excise price for tobacco products and for liquids used in electronic smoking devices and tools. It was issued in July and published in August. Excise on sweetened drinks also moved to a sugar-content model at the start of 2026, according to adviser summaries; check the official price list for your products.
Enforcement
The FTA reported 103,680 inspection visits in the first half of 2026, up 21%. It also reported AED 174 million in tax liabilities and administrative penalties linked to 8.5 million non-compliant excise products seized across the UAE.
What to do
- Confirm your products’ classification and excise price against the current list.
- Check that digital tax stamps and marking obligations are met.
- Reconcile stock, warehouse movements and excise returns before filing.
Summary for general information, not advice. This article covers United Arab Emirates only; rules in other countries differ. Check the official text and your own circumstances. Last reviewed 10 Sep 2026.