A controversial tax to be changed. The rates will go up
The government adopted changes in the sugar levy collection. A separate project provides for higher rates. What does this mean for drink prices?
The Council of Ministers adopted a project that changes the rules for collecting the sugar levy. The obligation to settle it is to be transferred to the beginning of the supply chain – primarily to producers, importers and companies importing drinks from other EU countries. The fee is also to be settled by entities ordering the production of a drink according to their own recipe. This project does not increase toll rates.
The method of determining the moment of payment will also change. The project introduces the concept of “first sale” and requires that all sugars shown on the label be taken into account when calculating the fee – both added and naturally occurring in the drink. It also provides for the refund of fees on drinks exported from Poland.
From 50 to 70 cents per liter? The fee increase is in a separate project
Higher rates are recorded in a separate bill. It assumes an increase in the fixed part of the fee from 50 to 70 groszy per liter. The variable part would increase from 5 to 10 gr for each gram of sugars above 5 g in 100 ml of the drink, expressed per liter. The proposed maximum fee is PLN 1.80 per liter instead of the current PLN 1.20. In the case of drinks with added caffeine or taurine, the additional rate would increase from PLN 10 to PLN 1 per liter.
Sugar levy up. How much could the price of cola and energy drinks go up?
An increase in the fee does not automatically mean the same increase in price on the shelf. For example: for a drink containing 10 g of sugars per 100 ml, the fee per liter would increase, according to the proposed rates, from PLN 75 to PLN 1.20. The difference would be 45 cents per liter. If the drink also contains caffeine or taurine, the result will be different; the statutory fee limit is also important. These are calculations of the tribute itself, not a forecast of the price of a specific bottle.
How much a customer will pay in a store will ultimately be determined by the prices set by producers and sellers. Therefore, the amounts assigned to specific brands today cannot be treated as a ready-made price list for 2027.
When will the changes come into force?
The project adopted on September 22 regarding collection rules provides for its entry into force on the first day of the month after six months from the announcement of the Act. Therefore, it does not indicate a rigid date of January 1, 2027. Project increasing the rates is a separate proposal and is also not valid. Only the further course of legislative work will show which changes will be introduced and when.
