The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed manufacturers and importers of 56 categories of goods to prominently print both the retail price and the sales tax amount on product packaging to improve price transparency and strengthen tax compliance.
The directive, issued through Sales Tax General Order (STGO) No. 8 of 2026, applies to products listed under the Third Schedule of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, which are subject to 18% sales tax based on the retail price.
According to the FBR, many products currently display retail prices that are missing, difficult to read, or concealed by packaging designs, stickers, or other printed material, making it challenging for consumers and authorities to verify the correct tax amount.
Under the new rules, manufacturers and importers must ensure that the retail price and sales tax are printed in a clear, legible, prominent, and permanent manner using contrasting colors and readable font sizes. The information must not be hidden by wrappers, labels, or other packaging elements.
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The order covers a broad range of products, including soft drinks, fruit juices, tea, cigarettes, bottled water, cosmetics, detergents, cement, paints, lubricants, batteries, tyres, motorcycles, edible oils, biscuits, chocolates, coffee, pasta, household appliances, sanitary ware, ceramic products, and auto parts, among others.
The FBR warned that non-compliance may result in legal action under the Sales Tax Act, 1990.
