Alcohol-based hand sanitizers to attract 18% GST - AAR
PrintListen to this Article
0:00
0:00
Amid the ongoing debate over goods and services tax (GST) rate on hand sanitizers, the Goa bench of the GST Authority of Advance Ruling (AAR) has held that the alcohol-based hygiene product will attract 18 per cent GST. It added that its classification as an essential commodity cannot be a criteria for exemption from GST.
Springfields (India) Distilleries had moved Goa AAR over classification of the hand sanitizer and the applicable rate of GST. It also sought an opinion on whether it will be exempt from GST as the consumer affairs ministry has classified hand sanitizers as essential commodity.
The applicant was of the view that hand sanitizers are covered under the medicament category, and should be taxed at 12 per cent under GST. However, the AAR bench ruled that, “Hand sanitizers manufactured by the applicant are of the category of alcohol-based sanitizers and are classifiable under heading 3808 of the Harmonised System of Nomenclature (HSN) to which the rate of GST applicable is 18 per cent.” Regarding the second query, the AAR said that there is a separate notification under GST law for exempted goods and services. “Merely classifying any goods as an essential commodity will not be the criteria for exempting such goods from GS.”
The ruling comes at a time when the GST administration is investigating GST evasion by manufacturers of alcohol-based sanitizers. They are paying 12 per cent GST by wrongly classifying the item under a different heading of ‘medicament’, it was felt. GST officials have said several manufacturers and suppliers, including sugar mills and distilleries, are classifying alcohol-based hand sanitizers under the tariff heading 3004 with 12 per cent tax against 3808 of HSN, which attracts 18 per cent GST. #casansaar (Source - Business Standard)
Springfields (India) Distilleries had moved Goa AAR over classification of the hand sanitizer and the applicable rate of GST. It also sought an opinion on whether it will be exempt from GST as the consumer affairs ministry has classified hand sanitizers as essential commodity.
The applicant was of the view that hand sanitizers are covered under the medicament category, and should be taxed at 12 per cent under GST. However, the AAR bench ruled that, “Hand sanitizers manufactured by the applicant are of the category of alcohol-based sanitizers and are classifiable under heading 3808 of the Harmonised System of Nomenclature (HSN) to which the rate of GST applicable is 18 per cent.” Regarding the second query, the AAR said that there is a separate notification under GST law for exempted goods and services. “Merely classifying any goods as an essential commodity will not be the criteria for exempting such goods from GS.”
The ruling comes at a time when the GST administration is investigating GST evasion by manufacturers of alcohol-based sanitizers. They are paying 12 per cent GST by wrongly classifying the item under a different heading of ‘medicament’, it was felt. GST officials have said several manufacturers and suppliers, including sugar mills and distilleries, are classifying alcohol-based hand sanitizers under the tariff heading 3004 with 12 per cent tax against 3808 of HSN, which attracts 18 per cent GST. #casansaar (Source - Business Standard)
Category : GST | Comments : 0 | Hits : 393
In a significant judgment, the Bombay High Court has clarified that summons issued under the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act are meant strictly for inquiry and recording of statements, and c...
Please click on the link below to view the gross and net GST revenue collections for the month of Jan, 2026. https://tutorial.gst.gov.in/downloads/news/final_approved_monthly_gst_data_for_pub...
Jan 23rd, 2026 An advisory on reporting of taxable value and tax liability under RSP-based valuation in e-Invoice, e-Way Bill and GSTR-1 / GSTR-1A / IFF has been issued for the information ...
Comments