Goods and Service Tax (GST)

The GST rate in India is divided into four main categories: 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%. In addition to these four main categories, there are also two special GST rates of 0% and 3%.

• The 5% GST rate applies to essential goods and services, such as food items, health and medical services, and education.
• The 12% GST rate applies to goods and services that are not considered essential, but are still considered necessary for everyday life, such as telephone and internet services, and certain types of construction services.
• The 18% GST rate applies to a wide range of goods and services, including most consumer goods and services, such as clothing and footwear, and hotel accommodation.
• The 28% GST rate applies to luxury goods and services, such as high-end cars and certain entertainment services.
• The 0% GST rate applies to exports of goods and services, and certain other goods and services that are considered to be in the public interest, such as milk and milk products, and certain types of agricultural equipment.
• The 3% GST rate applies to gold and other precious metals.

It is worth noting that these GST rates are subject to change and may be revised by the government from time to time.

Cargo Handling Services 

Cargo handling services are subject to GST at the applicable rates are:

• Loading,
• unloading, packing or unpacking of cargo and includes cargo handling services provided for freight in special containers or for non-containerized freight,
• services provided by a container freight terminal or nay other freight terminal,
• for all modes of transport and cargo handling services incidental to freight, but does not include handling of export cargo or passenger baggage or mere transportation of goods; (Section 65(23) of the Finance Act, 1994).