Several goods are taken out of India on consignment basis for exhibitions or other export promotion events. These goods are sold only when approved by the prospective customers abroad. The unsold goods are then brought back to India. This is a widespread practice in various sectors, including the gems and jewellery industry. Exporters of these items were facing problems due to the the lack of clarity on the procedure to be followed under GST at the time of taking these goods out of India and at the time of their subsequent sale or return to India. Taking cognizance of these problems and in order to help exporters, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has now issued a comprehensive clarification in this regard vide Circular No. 108/27/2019-GST dated 18.07.2019. The key points clarified in the Circular are the following:

a) The activity of taking goods out of India on consignment basis for exhibition would not in itself constitute a supply under GST since there is no consideration received at this time.

b) The movement of these goods out of India shall be accompanied by a delivery challan issued in accordance with the provisions contained in rule 55 of the CGST Rules.

c) Since taking such goods out of India is not a supply, it necessarily follows that it is also not a zero-rated supply. Therefore, execution of a bond or LUT, as required under section 16 of the IGST Act, is not required.

d) The goods taken out of India in this manner are required to be either sold or brought back within a period of six months from the date of removal.

e) The supply would be deemed to have taken place if the goods are neither sold abroad nor brought back within the period of six months. In this case, the sender shall issue a tax invoice on the date of expiry of six months from the date of removal, in respect of the quantity of goods which have neither been sold nor brought back. The benefit of zero-rating, including refund, shall not be available in respect of such supplies.

f) If the specified goods are sold abroad, fully or partially, within the period of six months, the supply shall be held to have been effected, in respect of the quantity so sold, on the date of such sale. In this case, the sender shall issue a tax invoice in respect of such quantity of goods which has been sold. These supplies shall become zero-rated supplies at the time of issuance of invoice. However, refund in relation to such supplies shall be available only as refund of unutilized ITC and not as refund of IGST.

g) No tax invoice is required to be issued in respect of goods which are brought back to India within the period of six months.

The above points are informative in nature and have been presented in this release in simple language for benefit of all stakeholders. The Circular issued in this regard, i.e. Circular No. 108/27/2019-GST dated 18.07.2019, may be referred which alone shall have the force of law.

Consignment exports for exhibition: movement is not a supply; tax effects arise on sale or failure to return within six months. Removal of goods from India on consignment for exhibition is not a supply and must be accompanied by a delivery challan under rule 55. No bond or LUT is required. Goods must be sold abroad or returned within six months; if not, supply is deemed on expiry and a tax invoice must be issued, without zero rating or refund benefit. If sold within six months, supply occurs on sale date, a tax invoice must be issued and the supply is zero rated, with refund limited to unutilized ITC. No invoice is needed for goods returned within six months.