GST is generally not added to exempt or out-of-scope supplies, which commonly include the sale/rental of residential property, financial services, digital payment tokens, and raw food items. In many jurisdictions, essential items like fresh food, exports, and specific government services are also exempt.
Fresh fruits, fresh milk, curd, bread, etc. Exports and supplies made to SEZ units or SEZ developers, of both goods and services. Grains, salt, jaggery, etc. Alcohol used for human consumption, natural gas, petrol and its products, etc.
GST-Free Items:
Key items exempted from GST:
Prepared foods and snacks: Vegetable trays, pre-made meals, salads, sandwiches, chips, candy, granola bars, etc. Dining: Restaurant meals (dine-in, takeout, or delivery). Beverages: Beer, wine, cider, and sake.
The Value Added Tax (VAT) or Goods and Services Tax (GST) are broadly based consumption tax assessed on the value added to goods and services. It applies to all goods and services that are bought and sold for use or consumption in foreign tax jurisdiction.
Goods and services tax (GST) applies to most goods and services sold in Australia. Find out how to register and what it means for your business. Goods and services tax (GST) is a tax of 10% on most goods, services and other items sold or consumed in Australia.
List of exempted goods under GST in India:
Fresh milk and pasteurized milk are fully exempt from GST. Further, milk products like curd, lassi, buttermilk, and paneer also are exempt from GST if sold in form apart from those pre-packaged and labeled.
Common Examples of GST Exempt Transactions:
Financial services – Most banking services, interest payments, and insurance premiums. Residential rent – Rental income from residential properties. Donated goods and services – Items or services that are given away without payment.
Excluding GST from GST-free sales
Most basic foods. Some education courses, course materials and related excursions or field trips. Some medical, health and care services. Some medicines.
Generally, basic food items like fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, bread, and milk are GST-free. However, foods that are prepared, cooked, or consumed on the premises, such as meals at restaurants or takeaway hot food, are typically taxable.
Examples of GST-free foods
cooking ingredients, such as flour, sugar and baking mixes that don't contain any taxable ingredients. dry preparations marketed for the purpose of flavouring milk. fats and oils marketed for culinary purposes. unflavoured milk, cream, cheese and eggs.
Important Notifications Regarding GST Exemptions
This notification exempts about 149 items from GST. Some of the key items include electricity, salt, fresh fruits, and passenger baggage.
GST and HST – The goods and services tax (GST) is a tax that you pay on most goods and services sold or provided in Canada. In New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Prince Edward Island, the GST has been blended with the provincial sales tax and is called the harmonized sales tax (HST).
Fresh eggs are exempt from GST (0%) under Chapter 4, as they are classified as unprocessed food products. However, processed or powdered eggs may attract 5% GST, depending on their use and packaging.
UHT milk and packed paneer are now 0% GST, while ghee and cheese are 5%. Stay updated on dairy tax reforms. Major GST 2.0 Update (2026): Significant savings are now available. Essential dairy products such as UHT milk and packaged paneer are exempt from GST, while the GST rate on ghee and cheese has been reduced to 5%.
GST Rates For Honey In India
Branded/Packaged Natural Honey – 5% GST. Honey With Additives/Flavors (e.g., ginger, lemon) – 12% GST.
Customers do not pay GST on goods and services that are GST‑free such as basic food, many medical and health services, some education courses, childcare, certain medical aids, and exports.
The GST reforms lower taxes on electronic goods like mobile phones, refrigerators, air conditioners, TVs, and washing machines. This makes them more affordable and encourages production. This blog explores how GST 2.0 impacts consumer durables and what it means for buyers.
For instance: When a businessman from Madhya Pradesh sells items for Rs. 5,000 to a consumer in Uttar Pradesh, then IGST will apply to the transaction. If there is an 18% GST charge, the merchant would charge a total of Rs. 5,900.
Exempted Goods under GST
Components such as human blood. Manufacturing parts of hearing aids, such as handloom, chalks, slates, etc. Non-GST goods include egg, fish, fresh milk, etc.
Unbranded and unpackaged food items such as cereals, pulses, and fresh vegetables are exempt from GST. In contrast, branded and packaged food products attract a 5% or 12% GST, depending on the item and branding status—impacting the applicable food GST rate.
India has four types of GST: Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST), State Goods and Services Tax (SGST), Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST), and Union Territory Goods and Services Tax (UTGST). This simple division makes it easy to tell the difference between interstate and intrastate goods.