The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has released FAQ-4 clarifying procedures for revising retail prices of pre-packaged commodities following the upcoming GST 2.0 rate cuts effective from September 22, 2025.
The clarification refers to the Department of Consumer Affairs' Advisory dated 18th September 2025, which supersedes the earlier advisory of September 9, 2025.
Key Highlights of the Advisory
- Voluntary Price Stickers: Manufacturers, packers, and importers may voluntarily affix an additional revised price sticker/stamp/online print on unsold stock manufactured before September 22, 2025, as long as the original MRP is visible.
- No Newspaper Ads Required: The earlier requirement to publish revised prices in two newspapers has been waived off.
- Mandatory Circulars to Dealers: Businesses must issue circulars with revised prices to wholesale dealers and retailers. Copies must also be endorsed to the Director of Legal Metrology (Central Government) and Controllers of Legal Metrology in all States and UTs.
- Ensuring Price Compliance: Entities must ensure revised MRPs are correctly reflected at the retailer level.
- Awareness Measures: Manufacturers and importers are directed to immediately sensitise dealers, retailers, and consumers through all available communication channels, including electronic, print, and social media.
Frequently Asked Questions-4
1. As per the Department of Consumer Affairs' Advisory dated 9th September, 2025 manufacturers, packers or importers of pre-packaged commodities were permitted to revise retail sale price on unsold stock, manufactured/packed or imported prior to rate revision by way of putting sticker /stamping or online printing after complying with certain conditions, such as, advertising in two newspapers.
Is re stickering /stamping or online printing on unsold stock, manufactured/packed or imported prior to rate revision and advertising in two newspapers mandatory?
The Department of Consumer Affairs has issued an Advisory dated 18th September, 2025 in supersession of earlier advisory dated 9th September 2025. The gist of the advisory is as under:
- Manufacturers/packers/importers/ their representatives to voluntarily affix additional revised price sticker, on unsold packages manufactured before 22nd September, 2025, and are lying with them, provided the original price declaration on the package is not obstructed.
- The requirement to issue advertisement about revised prices in two newspapers has been waived off.
- Manufacturers/ packers/ importers are now required to send circulars to wholesale dealers/ retailers, etc about revised prices with copy thereof endorsed to Director, Legal Metrology of the Central Government and Controller, Legal Metrology of all States/ UTs and to ensure price compliance at the retailer level.
- Manufacturers/packers/importers shall take immediate measures to sensitise dealers/ retailers/ consumers about revision in GST rates through all possible channels of communication including electronic, print and social media.
Click here for the link to the Advisory
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