FBR orders packaged tea makers to install monitoring by Dec 10
Every retail pack of tea must carry a machine-readable barcode under a new Federal Board of Revenue order. Manufacturers and packers must install electronic production monitoring on every packing line by 10 December 2026.
- Electronic monitoring must be installed on every packing line by 10 December 2026.
- Every retail tea pack must carry a registered, machine-readable barcode.
- The order covers all packaged tea types, including toll and contract packers.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed all registered manufacturers, blenders and packers of packaged tea to install and operate an electronic production monitoring system at every packing line by 10 December 2026. Business Recorder reported that the aim is to monitor production and strengthen tax compliance in the sector. The directive was issued as Sales Tax General Order (STGO) No. 35 of 2026 on Thursday.
The requirement covers all types of packaged tea, including black tea, green tea, flavoured tea, tea bags, instant tea, tea extracts and premixes. Toll and contract packers are also covered. Express News reported that the FBR wants to track sales and stop tax evasion.
Every retail pack must carry a machine-readable barcode. Each brand, weight and packing type needs its own registered barcode, and barcodes must be registered through an FBR-approved vendor. New or changed packages must be registered at least 7 days before packing.
Each packing line must have an electronic monitoring system that scans barcodes and records pack counts. Production and packing data must be transferred to the FBR immediately. Manual packers must arrange scanning.
Removing, hiding or changing barcodes is banned. Packets with unregistered barcodes may not be produced, and packaged tea may not leave a factory without electronic monitoring.
Firms whose products lack barcodes, or use one barcode across several products, must assign unique barcodes within 15 days of the order's issue. Firms must also pay the prescribed fees and charges and provide the required IT facilities, connectivity and electricity.
According to Express News, the FBR has named four authorised vendors: Excellence Delivered, National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation, Tolllink Pakistan and AJCL. The FBR has said the list is not final and other registered firms will also be brought under the system. Chief Commissioners Inland Revenue have been made focal persons to bring manufacturers and packers under the system.
Background
khabr.pk reported on 7 November that the FBR had added a facility to its IRIS system to amend or cancel electronic sales tax invoices after the 72-hour limit, with prior approval from the concerned Commissioner Inland Revenue.
Why it matters for Pakistan
Tea is a daily staple in Pakistan, and the new rules change how its production is recorded and taxed. Manufacturers, blenders and toll or contract packers face a 10 December deadline and must pay the system's fees and charges. Firms without unique barcodes have 15 days to assign them. Packaged tea cannot leave a factory without electronic monitoring.
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