The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued Circular No. 247/04/2025-GST dated February 14, 2025, clarifying GST rates and classifications based on the recommendations of the 55th GST Council meeting held on December 21, 2024, in Jaisalmer. The circular aims to resolve ambiguities related to taxability, exemptions, and classification of various goods and services under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime.
Based on the recommendations of the GST Council in its 55th meeting held on 21st December, 2024, at Jaisalmer, in exercise of the powers conferred under section 168(1) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, the Board hereby clarifies the following issues through this circular for the purpose of uniformity in their implementation:
I. Clarification regarding classification and GST rate on pepper of genus Piper
1.1 References were received seeking clarification on the classification and applicable GST rate on supply of pepper of the genus Piper and whether supply of dried pepper by an agriculturist is exempt from GST.
1.2 Based on the recommendations of the GST Council in its 55th meeting, it is hereby clarified that pepper of genus Piper, whether green (fresh), white or black, is covered under HS 0904 and attracts 5% GST vide S. No. 38 of Schedule I of notification No. 1/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated the 28th June, 2017.
1.3 As regards applicability of GST on supply of dried pepper by an agriculturist from their plantations, Section 23 (1) (b) of the CGST Act provides that an agriculturist, as defined in Section 2(7) of the CGST Act, to the extent of supply of produce out of cultivation of land is not liable to take registration.
1.4 As per the recommendation of the GST Council, it is hereby clarified that an agriculturist supplying dried pepper is not liable to be registered under Section 23(1) of the CGST Act is exempt from GST.
2. Clarification regarding raisins supplied by an agriculturist
2.1 Reference was received seeking clarification on the applicable rate on supply of raisins by agriculturists.
2.2 As per the recommendation of the GST Council, it is hereby clarified that an agriculturist supplying raisins is not liable to be registered under Section 23(1) of the CGST Act is exempt from GST.
3. Clarification on GST rate on ready to eat popcorn
3.1 Representations were received seeking clarification regarding appropriate classification and applicable GST rate on ready to eat popcorn.
3.2 On the recommendation of the Council, it is hereby clarified that ready to eat popcorn which is mixed with salt and spices are classifiable under HS 2106 90 99. It is also hereby clarified that such ready to eat popcorn mixed with salt and spices classifiable under HS 2106 90 99 attracts 5% GST if other than pre-packaged and labelled vide S. No. 101A of Schedule I of notification No. 1/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated the 28th June, 2017 and 12% GST if sold as packaged and labelled vide S. No. 46 of Schedule I of notification No. 1/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated the 28th June, 2017, as it has the essential character of namkeens. However, when the popcorn is mixed with sugar thereby changing its character to sugar confectionary (e.g. caramel popcorn), it would be classifiable under HS 1704 90 90 attracting 18% GST vide S. No. 12 of Schedule III of notification No. 1/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated the 28th June, 2017.
3.3 Further, in view of the prevailing genuine doubts regarding the applicability of GST rate on ready to eat popcorn mixed with salt and spices, as recommended by the Council the issue for past period up to 14.2.2025 is hereby regularized on 'as is where is' basis.
4. Fly ash based Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Blocks
4.1 References were received regarding the classification and applicable GST rate on autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks containing at least 50% fly ash content as raw material.
4.2 Fly ash bricks, fly ash aggregates and fly ash blocks classifiable under HS 6815 attract 12% GST vide S. No. 176B of Schedule II of notification No.1/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017. Articles of cement, of concrete or of artificial stone, whether or not reinforced classifiable under HS 6810 attract 18% GST vide S. No. 181 of Schedule III of notification No. 1/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017.
4.3 As per the recommendation of the GST Council, it is hereby clarified that autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks containing more than 50% fly ash content will fall under HS 6815 and attract 12% GST.
5. Effective date of amended entry regarding ground clearance
5.1 Representations were received that there are different views in some jurisdictions regarding the effective date of amended entry 52B in notification No. 1/2017-Compensation Cess (Rate) dated 28.06.2017.
5.2 Prior to the 50th GST Council meeting, vide entry at S. No. 52B in the notification No. 01/2017- Compensation Cess (Rate) dated 28.06.2017, motor vehicles of engine capacity exceeding 1500 cc, popularly known as SUVs, including utility vehicles attracted 22% Compensation Cess.
5.3 Following the 50th GST Council meeting, vide notification No. 03/2023- Compensation Cess (Rate) dated 26.07.2023, the entry 52B was substituted to provide that the cess will be applicable to all motor vehicles known as utility vehicles by whatever name called, with engine capacity exceeding 1500cc, length exceeding 4000mm and ground clearance of 170mm and above. Further, a new explanation was added that ground clearance means ground clearance in unladen condition.
5.3 As per the recommendation of the GST Council, it is hereby clarified that the amendment carried out vide notification No. 03/2023- Compensation Cess (Rate) dated 26.07.2023 will apply on or after 26.7.2023.
Official copy of the circular has also been attached
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