By Timothy S. Donahue
Top Takeaways:
Packaging mandate: Jordan will require all shisha tobacco to be sold in approved packaging starting April 1, 2026.
Regulatory push: The move is aimed at tightening tax compliance, product oversight and manufacturing controls.
Industry impact: Factories must meet new licensing, staffing and reporting standards, with a one-year compliance window.
Jordan is planning to tighten control over its shisha tobacco market by banning the sale of loose products and requiring all sales to be in approved packaging starting April 1, 2026.
The Income and Sales Tax Department confirmed that, starting from that date, shisha tobacco—also known as mu’assel—can only be sold in containers that meet the specifications set by tax authorities and the Jordan Customs Department.
The sale or trade of loose tobacco in the local market will no longer be allowed. Shisha is often called “hookah” in some global markets. While “hookah” usually refers to the pipe itself, “shisha” is technically the term for the tobacco mixture used in a hookah.
Officials stated that the measure aims to improve oversight of manufacturing and distribution while ensuring compliance with tax and regulatory standards.
The decision arises from the updated 2025 regulations governing the licensing and operation of shisha tobacco factories, issued under the country’s General Sales Tax Law.
Under the new framework, manufacturers are required to fulfill several operational standards, such as locating production facilities in designated industrial zones, maintaining a minimum factory size of 1,000 square meters, and employing at least 10 registered Jordanian workers.
Factories are also required to comply with production standards set by the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization, maintain computerized accounting systems, track inventory for auditing, and submit regular tax filings.
The rules implement stricter controls throughout the supply chain, including requirements for documenting damaged goods, registering with government monitoring systems, and providing financial guarantees to regulators.
Authorities stated that the packaging mandate is a crucial part of the larger regulatory overhaul, designed to improve traceability, curb illicit trade, and ensure proper tax collection. Existing factories will be allowed up to one year to fully comply with the new standards.
