Malaysia’s sugar tax

EFFECTIVE April 1, Malaysia will - for the first time - impose an excise tax of 40 sen per litre on sweetened beverages containing more than five grams of sugar or sugar-based sweetener per 100ml .

This includes carbonated drinks, or flavoured and other non-alcoholic beverages as well as fruit juices or vegetable drinks.

The tax was proposed in Budget 2019 by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng in line with the new ruling government’s effort to promote health awareness and healthy lifestyle among Malaysians.