FBR Orders Retail Price, Sales Tax Printing on Packaging of 56 Items

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed manufacturers and importers of 56 categories of goods to clearly print both the retail price and the amount of sales tax on product packaging to improve transparency and strengthen tax compliance.

In a Sales Tax General Order (STGO) 8 of 2026 issued on Monday, the FBR said the directive applies to goods listed in the Third Schedule of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, which are subject to 18 percent sales tax based on the retail price.

According to the FBR, it has observed that the retail price on many products is either missing, difficult to read, or concealed by packaging designs, colors, stickers, or other printed material, making it difficult to determine the correct amount of sales tax.

Under the new instructions, manufacturers and importers must ensure that the retail price and sales tax amount are printed in a clear, legible, prominent, and permanent manner using font sizes and colors that contrast with the background. The information must remain visible and must not be hidden by wrappers, stickers, monograms, or any other packaging material.

The FBR warned that failure to comply with the new labeling requirements could result in action under the Sales Tax Act, 1990, and the rules made under it.

The directive covers a wide range of consumer and industrial products, including fruit juices, soft drinks, cigarettes, tea, shampoo, toothpaste, detergents, cosmetics, bottled water, cement, paints, lubricants, batteries, tires, motorcycles, auto rickshaws, biscuits, tiles, auto parts, DAP fertilizer, edible oils, chocolates, pet food, coffee, pasta, sauces, footwear, sanitary ware, household appliances, kitchenware, milk products, jams, ceramic products, and car accessories, among others.

The FBR said businesses seeking clarification on the implementation or interpretation of the order may contact its IR Policy Wing. The new requirements are intended to make retail prices and sales tax more transparent for consumers while supporting more effective tax collection.