Tax for importing software

No customs duties are currently levied on software downloaded from the Internet. 

However, if the software is embedded or pre-loaded on equipment, then Customs duties are applicable on such imports. 

IT Software is classified under the tariff heading 8523 80 20 of the First Schedule to Customs Tariff Act. The entry 8523 covers only that software which is stored on a tangible media and not otherwise. Therefore, no custom duty will be levied in case of electronic download of software.

However, if software is imported embedded or pre-loaded on equipment, like loaded on CD, custom duty will be levied @ 10% Basic Customs Duy in addition to this CVD & SAD if packaged or canned software is imported is applicable.

However the current answer does include a lot of ifs and buts depending on what exactly the trasaction is, as there are a lot of details involved in the same like packaged, tailor made, via download, phydically imported, Service Tax (if applicable) then import under reverse charge will be applicable. Therefore please provide transactions in detail

My friend is acquiring a dealership from a US based company to sell their software in India. He will be importing it and reselling in India. So he wanted to know what taxes would be applicable for importing the software

The downloading of software with all rights transferred wouldbe liable to VAT only. [ Presently not liable] However if it is temporary ( licesne) then service tax applicable presenlty at 14.5% on reverse charge out of which 14% is available for set off. This can be used when the s/w is further licensed and couldbe liable for both CST/VAT + ST when sold again due to confusion still on since 2008.