Alcohol industry braces for impact from special consumption tax hike

Alcohol industry faces mounting challenges

The Ministry of Finance currently proposes two options for raising the special consumption tax on beer and alcohol, with the ministry favoring the option that includes a higher tax rate.

Under the proposed plan, by 2030, which is just six years away, alcohol with an alcohol content of 20 degrees or more and beer would be subject to a special consumption tax rate of 100 per cent, while alcohol with an alcohol content of less than 20 degrees would be taxed at 70 per cent.

These rates are significantly higher than the current rates of 65 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively.

For businesses, this tax hike is an unexpected shock, according to Nguyen Thanh Thuy Linh, head of legal compliance at Carlsberg Vietnam.

"This makes it difficult for businesses to formulate plans or decide whether to expand operations in the near future," Linh said.

Linh suggested that the tax increase should be implemented over a longer period. “The tax should only be raised 2 – 3 years after it is announced to allow businesses time to adapt and formulate appropriate business strategies,” she said.

Nguyen Hoang Giang, general director of Saigon Beer Trading Company (Satraco), a subsidiary of Sabeco, echoed Linh’s concerns. He warned that a continuous increase in taxes over the next six years would be a significant blow to the beer industry and related businesses.

"In the absence of positive economic forecasts for the coming years, such tax increases could push companies to the brink, increase the risk of closing smaller factories, lead to job losses, and reduce contributions to the state budget," Giang said.

This situation is further aggravated by rising raw material costs due to global market fluctuations, coupled with a significant decrease in consumer demand, intensified by the enforcement of Decree 100.

"Tax hikes have been implemented worldwide, benefiting state budgets. However, given the rapid pace of increases in the current context, we are quite concerned," Giang added.

He recommended that the magnitude and pace of the tax hikes should be carefully considered to balance the interests of the state, businesses, and consumers.

Trinh Thi Van Giang, a representative of the Wine & Spirits Sector Committee, European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, said the tax increase would force businesses to cut operating costs, even as the wine and spirits industry has been contributing significantly to Vietnam's economy.

In addition to these challenges, the wine and spirits sector will face further proposals and regulations, such as increased value-added tax, a global minimum tax, and regulations on extended producer responsibility.

Unlike other sectors, the alcoholic beverage industry does not benefit from VAT exemptions.

Call for extended roadmap for special consumption tax

At a recent seminar on special consumption tax organized by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a representative of Hanoi Liquor and Beverage JSC argued that the proposed rapid tax increase would not effectively reduce consumption or protect consumers as intended.

He said higher taxes would lead to higher product prices, driving consumers toward cheaper counterfeit or homemade alcohol, which is difficult to regulate for quality. This pattern has been observed following previous tax adjustments.

He suggested a more gradual approach, proposing that the tax rate be capped at a 15 per cent increase from current levels, with a maximum rate of 80 per cent by 2030.

Tran Ngoc Anh, director of Corporate Affairs at Heineken Vietnam, also warned that a sharp tax increase could drive consumers toward unregulated products, negatively impacting public health and reducing state revenue.

Estimates suggest that if the special consumption tax rate increases as proposed by the Ministry of Finance, product prices could rise by 20 per cent, leading to a decline in production volumes and tax contributions, similar to what occurred last year.

Anh recommended that the special consumption tax rate on beer remain stable at 65 per cent for the first three years after the law takes effect, followed by increases every three years, with a maximum rise of 3–5 per cent each time, depending on global and domestic economic conditions.

Additionally, she suggested a separate tax schedule to encourage the production and consumption of lower-alcohol products, ensuring consistency and fairness between different types of alcoholic beverages.