30% additional fee on alcohol in Abu Dhabi

abu dhabi — The Capital is set to introduce an additional fee in a bid to check the high consumption rate of alcoholic beverages. And starting this Friday, new fees will be imposed on alcoholic beverages.

There will be an imposition of 30 per cent fee on retail sales of alcoholic beverages. Also, there will be a new Dh230 fee on issuance of special licences for nonMuslims. Special Licence Office is a government entity formed in April 2012, with the aims of updating and regulating all legislative alcohol-related matters across Abu Dhabi. It is responsible for issuing alcohol licences through www.auhsl.ae.

The new rates will be enforced from June 15. Major alcohol outlets in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain region like Spinneys, African+Eastern, Gray Mackenzie & Partners, High Spirits and Eurostar Cellar have ‘important announcement’ being posted on their notice boards, entrance and billing counters.

An executive at Gray Mackenzie & Partners said the decision regarding new fee is taken by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism.“We were told a few weeks back. We are working out a new price structure.”

A staff at African+Eastern said it was a 30 per cent tourism fee on all alcohol purchases. “This new fee is following a circular from the Department of Culture and Tourism,” the staff said.

On impact of new fee on customers, he said: “If a brand is now costing Dh150 then from Friday onwards, customers need to pay Dh45 extra. So, it will be Dh195.”

Spinneys outlet staff noted there will be some discounts being offered to customers to compensate the additional fee burden. “This additional fee will be across all our outlets in Abu Dhabi region,” a staff said.

According to the World Health Organisation report, the UAE leads the region in consumption of alcohol.