GST on Paperboard Raised to 18%: Printers Warn of Impact on Students and Jobs

Last updated: 11 September 2025


Quick Summary
India's printing industry is protesting a planned GST increase on paper and paperboard from 12% to 18%, effective September 22, 2025. The Offset Printers Association (OPA) warns this will significantly raise textbook costs, potentially by 10-15%, impacting over 200 million students and hindering the 'Education for All' initiative. The hike also creates an 'inverted duty structure', potentially leading to business closures and job losses in a sector that supports 2.5 million jobs.

The Offset Printers Association (OPA), which represents India's printing and packaging sector, has raised strong objections to the government's proposed GST hike on paper and paperboard from 12% to 18%, set to take effect on September 22, 2025. OPA leaders warned that the move would significantly r
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FAQ :

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) on paper and paperboard is set to increase from 12% to 18% on September 22, 2025.

The primary concern is that the GST increase will significantly raise the cost of textbooks and educational materials, making education less affordable for millions of students.

Industry experts predict that textbook prices could rise by 10-15% as a direct result of the increased GST on paper.

An inverted duty structure occurs when the tax on raw materials (like paper at 18%) is higher than the tax on finished goods (like paperboard cartons at 5%). This can trap working capital and reduce competitiveness for printing businesses.

The OPA is urging the Finance Ministry to reconsider the GST hike, suggesting a reduction to 5% for paper and paperboard to match cartons, and to create a uniform GST rate across all paper products.

The OPA warns that the hike could lead to a further decline in paper consumption, create classification disputes, and potentially push 30% of micro and small printing units towards closure within a year.




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Finance news reporter covering taxation, GST, income tax, business compliance, and economy updates. I simplify complex financial topics into easy-to-understand articles for professionals, taxpayers, and business owners on leading finance and tax platforms.

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