July 22, 2019

GST Treatment on Diamond imported to export back for cutting and polishing

CBIC clarifies on the place of supply in relation in case of services by ports and place of supply in case of supply of various services on unpolished diamonds which are temporarily imported in to India for re export.

The Place of Supply (‘POS’) determines the incidence of taxation under the GST law. As GST is a destination based taxation regime, determination of POS is critical to the taxability of a given transaction related to GST Treatment on Diamond imported. The determination of POS in the context of international trade assumes significance as the transaction could be subject to tax only if the POS is within the territory of India.

GST Treatment on Diamond imported

In this context of GST Treatment on Diamond imported, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has received several representations from trade and industry seeking clarifications in relation to the determination of POS in the following cases: –

Services rendered on goods temporarily imported in India – Place of supply in case of services rendered on unpolished diamonds received from abroad, which are exported after cutting, polishing etc.
Services provided by Ports – Place of supply in respect of various cargo handling services provided by ports to clients

Vide Circular No. 103/22/2019-GST dated 28 June 2019, the CBIC has provided clarifications on the same. In the context of services by ports, the CBIC clarified that the POS should be the location of the service recipient in India (if available), else the location of the supplier should be considered.

The summary of the Circular about GST Treatment on Diamond imported is given below:

1. Services in relation to activities performed on unpolished diamonds which are temporarily imported into India

The diamond polishing industry in India significantly relies on import and re-export of diamonds. Unpolished diamonds are imported into India for cutting and polishing and then in turn exported from India. In this context, various services on the imported unpolished diamonds, such as cutting and polishing are undertaken in India.

Clarification by CBIC:

The CBIC has clarified the following:

Cutting and polishing activity are performed on the diamonds temporarily imported into India, which are not put to any use in India.
- The Place of supply should not be determined as per Section 13(3)(a) of the IGST Act i.e., location where services are actually performed, on account of the exception available for services in respect of temporary import of goods for subsequent export (Second proviso to Section 13(3)(a).
- The Place of supply should be determined as per the provisions of Section 13(2) of the IGST Act, as under:
  1. Recipient – Location of Recipient (if address is available)
  2. Location of supplier (if address of Recipient is not available)

2. Services by ports

The port authorities provide various services in relation to cargo handling. Some of the services include haulage of wagons, loading and unloading of wagons, shipment/ loading on vessels etc.

Clarification by CBIC:

The CBIC has clarified the following:

The services are not related to an immovable property. Hence, the provisions of Section 12(3) pertaining to services in relation to an immovable property would not be applicable.
1. In the absence of a specific provision under Section 12 and 13 of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (‘IGST Act’), the POS of these services should be determined as per the residuary provisions under Section 12(2) and Section 13(2) of the IGST Act as under:

Location of supplier/ Recipient	Section	Place of Supply as per IGST Act
Supplier – India Recipient – India	12(2)	a. GST registered Recipient – Location of Recipient b. Unregistered Recipient – Location of Recipient (if address is available c. Location of supplier (if address of Recipient is not available)
Supplier or Recipient – Outside India	13(2)	a. Recipient – Location of Recipient (if address is available b. Location of supplier (if address of Recipient is not available)

3. Conclusion

These clarifications by the CBIC are a welcome move and are set to reduce the scope of litigation concerning gems and jewellery and shipping industries. By virtue of applying this Circular and determining the Place of supply of the aforementioned services as ‘Outside India’, the services may qualify as ‘export of services’ and eligible for refund, if the other conditions are also satisfied.

For more detail read here Clarification on GST Refund related issues

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are strictly of the author and VJM & Associates LLP. The contents of this article are solely for informational purpose. It does not constitute professional advice or recommendation of firm. Neither the author nor firm and its affiliates accepts any liabilities for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of any information in this article nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

GST Check-list you need to tick as stepping in new Financial Year

Cross-empowerment is without jurisdiction in absence of any notification under GST Law

Supply to goods for Job Work, have you filed your ITC-04

RoDTEP benefit is extended to EOU, AA Holders and SEZ Units

Streamlining filing of appeal by Department before ITAT, High Court and Supreme Court| Circular No. 5/2024 dated 15th March, 2024

Judgements

Streamlining filing of appeal by Department before ITAT, High Court and Supreme Court| Circular No. 5/2024 dated 15th March, 2024

Appeal against order of any authority can be filed by the party aggrieved by the order, i.e., the Assessee or the Department. Filing of appeal involves lots of cost and effort and also takes up the time of the judicial authority. Assessee files appeal after considering various factors such as amount of pre-deposit required, amount involved in dispute, time factor etc. However, for department appeal the CBDT specifies a monetary limit, i.e., upto specified monetary limit, no appeal shall be filed by the department.

09/04/2024 No Comments

GST Check-list you need to tick as stepping in new Financial Year

News and Announcements

GST Check-list you need to tick as stepping in new Financial Year

As we are stepping into the new Financial year, there are various compliance requirements which a taxpayer is required to do with the changing year. Any non-compliance on part of the taxpayer can lead to major disallowances or withdrawal of benefits from the taxpayer.
This article list down check-list which a taxpayer is required to tick as they enter into new financial year:

09/04/2024 No Comments

Cross-empowerment is without jurisdiction in absence of any notification under GST Law

Judgements

Cross-empowerment is without jurisdiction in absence of any notification under GST Law

The Writ petition was filed to challenge the proceedings initiated against the taxpayer by the central authorities where the taxpayer is assigned to the State authorities and vice versa. The Petitioner contended that power of cross-empowerment was given under Model GST Law. However, GST Law enacted is different from the Model GST Law.

09/04/2024 No Comments