tax on packaging

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NILESH

NILESH (Querist)
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26 June 2010 which type of taxes on packaging

CA Kamal Gangaramani

CA Kamal Gangaramani (Expert)
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01 July 2010 type of tax on goods will be type of tax on packaging

Aashok Kumar Sharma

Aashok Kumar Sharma (Expert)
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26 July 2025 The **taxes on packaging** depend on the **type of packaging activity**, **goods involved**, and whether it's part of **manufacturing, trading, or service**. Here’s a breakdown of how packaging is taxed under Indian law (as of 2025, post-GST regime):

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### ✅ 1. **GST (Goods and Services Tax) on Packaging Services**

If you're providing **packaging as a service** (e.g., contract packaging, bottling, labeling, wrapping), then:

* **GST is applicable**.
* GST rate is usually **18%** under “Packaging services”.

📌 **SAC Code**: 998540 (Packaging services of goods)

👉 Example:

* A company sends products to you for packaging (e.g., tea in sachets).
* You charge for packaging service = GST @ 18% is applicable.

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### ✅ 2. **GST on Sale of Packaging Materials**

If you're **selling packaging materials** like cartons, bottles, wrappers, etc., the applicable GST depends on the item.

| Packaging Material | GST Rate |
| ------------------------------------------ | -------- |
| Corrugated boxes | 12% |
| Plastic packaging (e.g., containers, bags) | 18% |
| Glass bottles | 18% |
| Wooden crates | 12% |
| Aluminum foil (used for packaging) | 18% |

📌 This is treated as a **supply of goods**, not a service.

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### ✅ 3. **When Packaging is Part of Manufacturing**

If packaging is part of your **manufacturing process** (e.g., you manufacture biscuits and pack them in boxes), the value of packaging is **included in the value of the final product**.

👉 GST is charged on the **entire product price**, including packaging cost.

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### ✅ 4. **Excise Duty (Only for Specific Sectors)**

Excise is mostly subsumed under GST, but still applicable on:

* **Petroleum products**
* **Tobacco**
* **Alcohol (for human consumption)**

In such industries, **packaging cost is included in assessable value**, and **excise duty** is calculated accordingly.

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### ✅ 5. **Customs Duty on Imported Packaging Material**

If you're **importing packaging materials**, you’ll pay:

* **Basic Customs Duty (BCD)**
* **IGST on imports**
* **Social Welfare Surcharge**

Rates vary based on the **HSN code** of the material.

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### ✅ Summary Table

| Activity | Tax Type | Rate |
| ----------------------------------- | -------------------- | -------------- |
| Packaging as a service | GST | 18% |
| Sale of packaging materials | GST | 12%–18% |
| Packaging in manufacturing | GST on product value | As per product |
| Import of packaging materials | Customs + IGST | Varies |
| Excise (for tobacco, alcohol, etc.) | Excise Duty | Varies |

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Would you like help identifying the **HSN/SAC code** or GST rate for a specific packaging product or service?

Let me know the details (e.g., item name or service description), and I’ll provide exact tax classification.

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