The Government has demonetised the currency notes of ₹ 500 and ₹ 1,000 with effect from mid-night of 8th-9th November, 2016. Along with this, the Government has also laid increased emphasis on promoting digital payments.

Point of Sale (POS) devices are used for cashless transactions, both for making payments or disbursing cash. POS do not attract any basic customs duty. To further reduce the cost of such devices and thereby encourage digital payments, the Government has exempted such devices from Central Excise Duty. Consequently, these devices will also be exempt from Additional Duty of Customs [commonly known as CVD] and additional duty of customs [commonly known as SAD]. Simultaneously, to encourage domestic manufacturers of such devices, all goods required for the manufacture of POS devices have also been exempted from excise duty, and consequently from CVD and SAD. These exemptions will be valid till 31st March 2017.

Notification No.35/2016-Central Excise, dated 28th November, 2016 has also been issued in this regard.

Excise duty exemption for POS devices lowers costs and exempts related inputs and customs duties until end-March 2017. Exemption from Central Excise Duty has been granted for Point of Sale (POS) devices and for all goods required in their manufacture, with the effect that these items are also exempt from consequent CVD and SAD charges; the relief is time-limited and implemented by Notification No.35/2016-Central Excise.