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CONTRARY to a common misconception, the increased customs duties on alcohol, beer and tobacco will be levied on local products first as well as imported ones. Further, the increased duties would be applied to local products first.

On October 13, during his presentation of the national budget for 2025-2026, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo announced a 100 per cent increase in customs duties on rum and spirits, beer and tobacco products with immediate effect.

Under the new rates, duties on rum and spirits will rise from $79.25 to $158.50 by per cent of alcohol content; beer from $5.14 to $10.28 by gravity of beer; and cigarettes from $5.26 to $10.52 per pack of 20.