Query of GST

Resale of the used JCB machine by a registered person would amount to supply under GST if made in the course or furtherance of business. JCB / earth-moving machinery generally falls under HSN 8429/8430 and attracts GST at 18%. Since the machine was originally purchased in 2015 for own use and not by a dealer in second-hand goods, the margin scheme under Rule 32(5) is generally not applicable. Accordingly, GST should ordinarily be charged on the full sale value.

Since the JCB machine was purchased in 2015 (Pre-GST era) and used for business purposes, its resale constitutes a "Supply" under Section 7 of the CGST Act, 2017. Here is the detailed breakdown of the tax liability:

1. GST Rate and Notification

For the sale of used vehicles and earth-moving machinery (like JCBs), the government issued Notification No. 8/2018-Central Tax (Rate).

• Applicable Rate: 18% (9% CGST + 9% SGST) as per entry no. 2 of the said notification (applicable to old and used heavy weaponry, armored vehicles, and similar machinery).

• HSN Code: 8429.

2. Valuation (Calculation of Taxable Value)

Since you mentioned the machine was purchased in 2015 and VAT was paid (meaning no GST Input Tax Credit was ever availed), the taxable value is determined as follows:

• Under Notification 8/2018-CT (Rate): The GST is not payable on the total sale value, but on the Margin.

• Calculation of Margin: * The margin is the difference between the Sale Consideration and the Depreciated Value (Written Down Value - WDV) as per the Income Tax Act, 1961, on the date of sale.

  • If the Margin is Positive: GST @ 18% is payable on the margin amount.

  • If the Margin is Negative: No GST is payable.

3. Key Conditions

• No ITC: This scheme is strictly applicable only if the taxpayer has not availed Input Tax Credit under the GST regime on this asset. Since it was a 2015 purchase, this condition is naturally satisfied.

• Invoice Detail: While issuing the tax invoice, you should mention that the tax is being paid under Notification No. 8/2018-Central Tax (Rate).

Conclusion:

The resale of the JCB is liable to GST at 18% on the margin (Sale Price minus Income Tax WDV). If the machine is being sold for less than its current book value (WDV), the GST liability will be Nill. - Setindiabiz

The most common GST return issue we see is a mismatch between GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B outward supply figures. GSTR-1 data auto-populates your buyers's GSTR-2B, so if your GSTR-1 shows lower turnover than GSTR-3B, the department flags it and your buyers face ITC mismatches. Filing GSTR-1 before the 11th of each month is the cleanest way to avoid downstream problems. If there is a genuine difference (advances, amendments, credit notes), each one has a specific table. For a step-by-step on filling every GSTR-1 table correctly, this [GSTR-1 filing guide](https://taxgarden.in/blog/gstr-1-filing-guide-outward-supplies-return-india) has examples for each scenario.

GST on resale of a JCB or earthmover (bulldozer, grader, scraper) is 18% (CGST 9% + SGST 9% for intra-state; 18% IGST for inter-state).

HSN codes to use:
- HSN 8429: self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders, levellers, scrapers, earthmovers, excavators, shovel loaders
- HSN 8430: other moving, grading, levelling, scraping machinery

For your situation (bought in 2015, pre-GST era):

If you are a registered GST taxpayer:
- Charge 18% GST on the sale price and issue a tax invoice
- Since you have no ITC to reverse (machine was bought before GST), there is no adjustment needed
- You can opt for the margin scheme (sale value minus purchase value) only if you are a registered second-hand goods dealer with a specific notification benefit

If you are unregistered selling to a registered buyer:
- Reverse charge on used goods from unregistered persons generally applies only to dealers in second-hand goods. For a regular registered buyer purchasing for their own use, reverse charge typically does not apply and they cannot claim ITC either.

This [HSN and SAC code guide for GST](https://taxgarden.in/blog/hsn-sac-code-gst-india-guide-2026) has the full structure including machinery codes.