Passenger Transport Services under GST

GST Council decides the GST rate on goods and services and the council includes state and central government members. To decide the GST rate slab there were various meetings that took place in 2017. After discussion they decided the 7 rate slabs for GST namely 0%, 0.25%, 3%, 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%. And in this article we will discuss different GST rates, transport GST rate, transportation GST rate and GST rate on Passenger Transport Services by road including exempted one:

SAC Code for Transport of Persons

Goods are classified using HSN code similarly service are classified using SAC (Service Accounting Code). Considering this, SAC code for transportation is applicable to transport services and the group under this heading are local transport and sightseeing transportation service (99641) and long-distance transport service of passengers (99642). If you don't know that transportation of passengers by what are exempt from GST and transportation SAC code.

Local Transport and Sightseeing Transportation Services of Passengers

Here is the list of Service Accounting Code that is applicable to local transport and sightseeing transportation services of passengers which includes GST on transport services and GST rate on transport of passengers by road.

Long Distance Transport Services of Passengers

The SAC code for local transport and GST on passenger transport services are listed below:

Let us now see other transport services via different means and the applicable GST on transportation of passengers by road.

Transport of Passengers by Road

The local road transport service falls under group 99641 and the long-distance transport service falls under group 99642.

If a passenger travels by motor cab and pays for fuel cost too. In that case, 18% GST rate will be a levy on such transport.

On the other hand, if a passenger travels by an air-conditioned stage carriage (bus) and radio taxis then in this case 5% GST rate will apply.

Transport of Passengers by Rail

The SAC code for local rail transport service falls under heading 996411 and long-distance rail transport service falls under 996421.

The GST rate on rail transport is fixed at 5% (2.5% CGST and 2.5 SGST/UTGST) or 5% IGST if you travel in first-class or air-conditioned coach. You can (Notification No. 11/2017-CT (Rates) and 8/2017-IT (Rates) dated 28-6-2017, effective from 1-7-2017).

However, services that are transported in the metro, monorail or tramway and in railways in a class other than the first class or air-conditioned coach are exempt from GST. (Notification No. 12/2017-CT (Rates) and 9/2017-IT (Rates) both dated 28-6-2017, effective from 1-7-2017).

Transport of Passengers by Water

The SAC code for local water transport service falls under heading 996415 and long distance water transport service falls under group 996424. Generally, the GST rate on such transport is applicable at 18%.

Howsoever, service of transportation of passengers in inland waterways is exempt from GST. (Notification No. 12/2017-CT (Rates) and 9/2017.IT (Rates) effective from 1-7-2017 both dated 28-6-2017).

Transport of Passengers by Air

The Service accounting code for the transport of passenger by air falls under group 99642.

Generally, in the following cases, the rate is 5% (2.5% CGST and 2.5% SGST) or 5% IGST on the transport of passengers by air.

• Economy class
• Embarking from or terminating in regional connectivity scheme airport. ITC of service is available but not for goods.

But it shall be noted that the transport of passengers under gst by air in other than economy class is 12%. However, there is no restriction on the input tax credit claim.