Clarification regarding GST rates and classification of certain goods based on the recommendations of the GST Council in its 48th meeting held on 17th December, 2022

Based on the recommendations of the GST Council in its 48th meeting held on 17th December, 2022, clarifications, with reference to GST levy, related to the following are being issued through this circular:

2.1 Representation has been received seeking clarification regarding the classification of “Rab”. It has been stated that under the U.P. Rab (Movement Control Order), 1967, “Rab” means ‘massecuite prepared by concentrating sugarcane juice on open pan furnaces, and includes Rab Galawat and Rab Salawat, but does not include khandsari molasses or lauta gur.’ Although, a product of sugarcane, Rab exists in semi-solid/liquid form, and is thus not covered under heading 1701. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in its order in Krishi Utpadan Mandi Samiti vs. M/s Shankar Industries and others [1993 SCR (1)1037] has distinguished Rab from Molasses. Thus, Rab being distinguishable from molasses is not classifiable under heading 1703.

2.2 Accordingly, it is hereby clarified that Rab is appropriately classifiable under heading 1702 attracting GST rate of 18% (S. No. 11 in Schedule III of notification No. 1/2017-Central Tax (Rate), dated the 28th June, 2017).

 

3.1 Representations have been received seeking clarification regarding the applicable GST rate on by-products of milling of Dal/ Pulses such as Chilka, Khanda and Churi/Chuni.

 

3.2The GST council in its 48th meeting has recommended to fully exempt the supply of subject goods, irrespective of its end use. Hence, with effect from the 1st January, 2023, the said goods shall be exempt under GST vide S. No. 102C of schedule of notification No. 2/2017-Central Tax (Rate), dated 28.06.2017.

 

3.3 Further, as per recommendation of the GST Council, in view of genuine doubts regarding the applicability of GST on subject goods, matters that arose during the intervening period are hereby regularized on “as is” basis from the date of issuance of Circular No. 179/11/2022-GST, dated the 3rd August, 2022, till the date of coming into force of the above-said S. No. 102C and the entries relating thereto. This is in addition to the matter regularized on as is basis vide para 8.6 of the said Circular.

 

4. Clarification regarding ‘Carbonated Beverages of Fruit Drink’ or ‘Carbonated Beverages with Fruit Juice’:

 

4.1 Representations have been received seeking clarification regarding the applicable six-digit HS code for ‘Carbonated Beverages of Fruit Drink’ or ‘Carbonated Beverages with Fruit Juice’.

 

4.2 On the basis of the recommendation of the GST council in its 45thmeeting, a specific entry has been created in notification No. 1/2017-Central Tax (Rate), dated the 28th June, 2017 and notification No. 1/2017-Compensation Cess (Rate), dated the 28th June, 2017, vide S. No. 12B in Schedule IV and S. No. 4B in Schedule respectively, with effect from the 1st October, 2021, for goods with description ‘Carbonated Beverages of Fruit Drink’ or ‘Carbonated Beverages with Fruit Juice’.

 

4.3 It is hereby clarified that the applicable six-digit HS code for the aforesaid goods with description ‘Carbonated Beverages of Fruit Drink’ or ‘Carbonated Beverages with Fruit Juice’ is HS 2202 99. The said goods attract GST at the rate of 28% and Compensation Cess at the rate of 12%. The S. Nos. 12B and 4B mentioned in Para 4.2 cover all such carbonated beverages that contain carbon dioxide, irrespective of whether the carbon dioxide is added as a preservative, additive, etc.

4.4 In order to bring absolute clarity, an exclusion for the above-said goods has been provided in the entry at S. No. 48 of Schedule-II of notification No. 1/2017-Central Tax (Rate), dated 28th June, 2017, vide notification No. 12/2022-Central Tax (Rate), dated the 30th December, 2022.

 

5. Applicability of GST on Snack pellets manufactured through extrusion process (such as ‘fryums’):

 

5.1 Representations have been received seeking clarification regarding classification and applicable GST rate on snack pellets manufactured through the process of extrusion (such as ‘fryums’).

 

5.2It is hereby clarified that the snack pellets (such as ‘fryums’), which are manufactured through the process of extrusion, are appropriately classifiable under tariff item 1905 90 30, which covers goods with description ‘Extruded or expanded products, savoury or salted’, and thereby attract GST at the rate of 18% vide S. No. 16 of Schedule-III of notification No. 1/2017-Central Tax (Rate), dated the 28th June, 2017.

 

6. Applicability of Compensation cess on Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs):

 

6.1 Representations have been received seeking clarification about the specifications of motor vehicles, which attract compensation cess at the rate of 22% vide entry at S. No. 52B of notification No. 01/2017 Compensation Cess (Rate), dated 28th June, 2017.

 

6.2 In this regard, it is clarified that Compensation Cess at the rate of 22% is applicable on Motor vehicles, falling under heading 8703, which satisfy all four specifications, namely: -these are popularly known as SUVs; the engine capacity exceeds 1,500 cc; the length exceeds 4,000 mm; and the ground clearance is 170 mm and above.

 

6.3 This clarification is confined to and is applicable only to Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs).

 

7.Applicability of IGST rate on goods specified under notification No. 3/2017-Integrated Tax (Rate):

 

7.1 Representations have been received expressing doubts regarding the applicable IGST rate on goods specified in the list annexed to notification No. 3/2017-Integrated Tax (Rate), dated the 28th June, 2017.

7.2 On the basis of the recommendation of the GST Council in its 47thMeeting, held in June 2022, the IGST rate has been increased from 5% to 12% on goods, falling under any Chapter, specified in the list annexed to the notification No. 3/2017-Integrated Tax (Rate), dated the 28th June, 2017, when imported for the specified purpose (like Petroleum operations/Coal bed methane operations) and subject to the relevant conditions prescribed in the said notification. However, some goods specified in the list annexed to notification No. 3/2017-Integrated Tax (Rate), dated the 28th June, 2017, are also eligible for a lower schedule rate of 5% by virtue of their entry in Schedule I of notification No. 1/2017-Integrated Tax (Rate), dated the 28th June, 2017.

7.3 Accordingly, it is hereby clarified that on goods specified in the list annexed to the notification No. 3/2017-Integrated Tax (Rate), dated the 28th June, 2017, which are eligible for IGST rate of 12% under the said notification and are also eligible for the benefit of lower rate under Schedule I of the notification No. 1/2017-Integrated Tax (Rate), dated the 28th June, 2017 or any other IGST rate notification, the importer can claim the benefit of the lower rate.

8. Difficulty, if any, in the implementation of this circular may be brought to the notice of the Board.