India exempts ocean freight from GST
ECONOMY & POLICY

India exempts ocean freight from GST

The Indian government has decided to exempt payments for goods imported via ocean freight from the 5% integrated Goods and Services Tax (GST) starting from October 1st. The Finance Ministry has officially notified the changes to the IGST Act concerning the payment of integrated GST on "ocean freight" for imported goods, effectively ending the requirement for importers to pay 5% GST under the Reverse Charge Mechanism. This move aligns with a Supreme Court ruling in the Mohit Minerals case from last year, emphasising the government's position on this matter.

The decision has been applied prospectively, but the industry has been successful in claiming refunds for taxes previously paid in cases where credit was not utilised. In the Mohit Minerals case, the Supreme Court found that imposing a separate levy on Indian importers for the "supply of services" by the shipping line would violate the GST Act, as the importer is already liable to pay IGST for the composite supply, which includes the supply of goods and various services like transportation and insurance in a CIF (Cost Insurance Freight) contract.

The Indian government has decided to exempt payments for goods imported via ocean freight from the 5% integrated Goods and Services Tax (GST) starting from October 1st. The Finance Ministry has officially notified the changes to the IGST Act concerning the payment of integrated GST on ocean freight for imported goods, effectively ending the requirement for importers to pay 5% GST under the Reverse Charge Mechanism. This move aligns with a Supreme Court ruling in the Mohit Minerals case from last year, emphasising the government's position on this matter. The decision has been applied prospectively, but the industry has been successful in claiming refunds for taxes previously paid in cases where credit was not utilised. In the Mohit Minerals case, the Supreme Court found that imposing a separate levy on Indian importers for the supply of services by the shipping line would violate the GST Act, as the importer is already liable to pay IGST for the composite supply, which includes the supply of goods and various services like transportation and insurance in a CIF (Cost Insurance Freight) contract.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

MoHUA Plans New Role for Smart City SPVs

In a significant policy move, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has issued an advisory encouraging the continued use and repurposing of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) formed under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM). This marks a step toward sustaining urban transformation by leveraging institutional capabilities and infrastructure developed over the past decade.Initiated in 2015, the Smart Cities Mission introduced a new era of urban planning in India, with each of the 100 selected cities forming SPVs under the Companies Act, 2013. These entities, jointly owned by state government..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

ADB Approves $110 Million Loan to Boost Skills in Gujarat

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 109.97 million (Rs 9.27 billion) results-based loan to support Gujarat’s efforts to become a global industrial hub by developing a future-ready, skilled workforce.The funding will back the Gujarat skills development programme, led by the Department of Labour, Skill Development and Employment in collaboration with Kaushalya: The Skill University (KSU). The initiative aims to equip the workforce with advanced, industry-aligned skills to meet rising employment demand in high-growth sectors.According to ADB, the programme seeks to strengthen in..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

SDAL Tests Rudrastra UAV and Bhargavastra Defence System

Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) has successfully completed a key flight test of its indigenous Hybrid VTOL UAV Rudrastra at the Pokharan Firing Range, aligning with Indian Army performance benchmarks for mission adaptability, high endurance, precision engagement, and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability.The trial marks a notable achievement in India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, underscoring advancements in home-grown military technology. The Rudrastra UAV demonstrated a mission radius exceeding 50 km with uninterrupted video relay, a total operational range of over..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?