The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has prepared a package of proposals aimed at adjusting excise policy on alcohol products and regulating the labeling of beverages in the public catering sector. These initiatives have been published for public discussion.
Equalizing excise taxes on alcohol
Currently, excise rates on various types of alcohol differ significantly. According to the data, the rates are: 25 som per liter on wines, 50 som per liter on sparkling wines and 100 som per liter on low-alcohol beverages. According to the tax service and the State Committee for National Security, this disparity creates conditions for possible tax evasion schemes, whereby products are declared at a lower rate.
Current excise rates on alcohol
Benefits for public catering and national beverages
The second key proposal concerns extending the exemption from mandatory labeling for beverages produced directly at public catering establishments. This applies to water, mineral and carbonated beverages with added sugar or other sweeteners (HS code 2202), if they are not packaged in consumer containers. A similar exemption is proposed to be retained for traditional national beverages such as bozo, maksym and zharma.
The initiators, including Jogorku Kenesh deputy Dastan Bekeshev, explain that mandatory labeling creates an excessive administrative and financial burden for small establishments, since producing beverages "on site" differs substantially from industrial bottling.
Key changes
- Proposal to equalize excise taxes on wines, sparkling wines and low-alcohol beverages at 100 som per liter.
- Extension of the exemption from mandatory labeling for beverages produced in-house at public catering establishments until January 1, 2033.
- Retention of preferential status for the national beverages bozo, maksym and zharma.
