TDS Applicability

This query is : Resolved 

21 February 2011 Hi,

Can anybody confirm that the applicability of TDS of the below mentioned expenses :-

* Agency Charges ( custom house agent assessment,inspection, examination etc)
* Port Wharfage Charges
* Customs sealing charges
* Port Handling Charges
* Transhipment Permitts
* Dock Labour Levy

Note : all the expenses charge amount more than 75k.

Thanks.
Gireesh Hegde

21 February 2011 All chrges except Agency charges falls umder section 194C of the IT Act.

It seemes in the case of Agency chrges the services provided is of professional in nature so 194j would be applicable.

21 February 2011 Thanks for your reply.

In my case, all the above charges charged in the sigle invoice and the invoice total comes to 52 lakhs.In this case whether i have to deduct TDS u/s 194C on full invoice value or us/194J on full invoice value?

Please confirm.

Thanks.
Gireesh Hegde

27 July 2025 Let's break down your query about **TDS applicability on various port and agency-related charges** when all are combined in a single invoice of ₹52 lakhs:

---

## Charges mentioned:

* **Agency Charges (Custom House Agent assessment, inspection, examination etc.)**
* **Port Wharfage Charges**
* **Customs Sealing Charges**
* **Port Handling Charges**
* **Transhipment Permits**
* **Dock Labour Levy**

---

## What sections apply?

### 1. **Agency Charges**

* Typically related to **services of a professional or technical nature** (customs clearance, assessment).
* **TDS under Section 194J** (Fees for professional or technical services) is applicable.

### 2. **Port Wharfage, Customs Sealing, Port Handling, Transhipment Permits, Dock Labour Levy**

* These relate to **contractual services for handling goods, labour, and transport**.
* Typically fall under **Section 194C** (Payments to contractors for carrying out any work).

---

## Your scenario: **All charges billed in one single invoice for ₹52 lakhs**

---

## How to apply TDS?

### Key points:

* **TDS is deducted on the amount related to each service under the relevant section.**
* When **multiple types of services are combined into one invoice**, you should ideally **break down the invoice and deduct TDS separately on each component** under the appropriate section.

---

### Practical approach:

| Service Type | TDS Section | Action |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------- | --------------------------------------- |
| Agency Charges | 194J | Deduct TDS under 194J on agency portion |
| Port Wharfage, Sealing, Handling, Transhipment, Dock Labour Levy | 194C | Deduct TDS under 194C on these amounts |

---

### If breakup is **not available** and you have only a **single invoice amount (₹52 lakhs):**

* You should **make a reasonable allocation** based on the nature of services or get a breakup from the vendor.
* Deduct TDS separately under 194C and 194J on the respective amounts.
* If unable to allocate, **best practice is to seek invoice breakup to comply properly**.

---

## TDS rates:

* Section 194C:

* 1% on payments to individual/HUF contractor
* 2% on payments to others
* Section 194J:

* 10% (standard) for professional fees

---

## Summary:

| Scenario | TDS Section | Deduction Rate | Comments |
| ----------------------------- | ----------- | -------------- | -------------------- |
| Agency Charges | 194J | 10% | Professional fees |
| Wharfage & other port charges | 194C | 1-2% | Contractual services |

---

### **Note:**

If you deduct TDS under the wrong section or on the entire invoice without segregation, the vendor may face problems in claiming credit. So **always insist on breakup**.

---

If you want, I can help you draft an email to your vendor requesting the breakup or prepare the TDS entries accordingly.


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