23 July 2025
Great question! Let’s clarify how **import duty and VAT** should be treated on a **retail sales invoice**.
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### 1. Showing Import Duty on Retail Invoice
* When goods are imported, **import duty (Basic + Additional Customs Duty)** is paid at the time of import.
* This **import duty becomes part of the cost of goods** for the importer.
* However, **import duty is not a tax on sale**, so **it should not be separately shown as a separate tax component on a retail sales invoice**.
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### 2. Showing VAT on Retail Invoice
* **VAT (Value Added Tax)** is a tax on the **sale of goods** within the state.
* As per VAT law, **VAT must be shown separately on the invoice** as it is collected from the customer and paid to the government.
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### 3. How to handle Import Duty for CENVAT Credit?
* **CENVAT credit** on import duty is generally available to registered manufacturers/importers on inputs and capital goods.
* The **import duty paid at the time of import** is recorded in your books as part of the cost of goods.
* For **input service credit**, the invoice from the supplier or import documents showing import duty should be maintained, but you do **not show import duty separately on your sales invoice** to customers.
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### 4. Retail Invoice and Showing Import Duty
* For **retail invoices**, especially to end customers who are not registered dealers, showing import duty separately is **not required and generally not done**.
* Import duty is **embedded in the cost price**, and the selling price includes this cost.
* VAT should be separately shown as per tax laws.
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### 5. Legal/Rule Reference
* **Section 31 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (CGST Act)** for GST invoicing rules (post-GST regime): Taxable value + GST shown separately.
* **VAT rules** require VAT to be shown clearly on invoices.
* Import duty is governed by Customs Act and does not need to be separately disclosed on retail invoices.
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### **Summary:**
| Item | Shown Separately on Retail Invoice? | Notes | | ----------- | ----------------------------------- | ------------------------- | | Import Duty | No | Included in cost of goods | | VAT | Yes | Mandatory as per VAT law |
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If you want, I can help draft a sample retail invoice format that complies with these rules. Would you like that?