Items not subject to GST (exempt or outside its scope) typically include essential goods and services, such as fresh food (fruits, vegetables, milk, grains), healthcare (services, medicines), education, residential rent, and financial services. Key petroleum products (petrol, diesel, natural gas) and alcohol for human consumption are also generally excluded from GST.
List of exempted goods under GST in India:
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.
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.
GST is a 10% tax added to most goods and services sold in Australia, but not everything in the food and beverage sector is treated equally. Some items are GST-free, while others are fully taxable, and understanding the difference can have a direct impact on your pricing, bookkeeping, and compliance.
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.
The GST Council, a constitutional body, oversees the GST regime. They make key decisions on tax rates, exemptions, and policies. Furthermore, the CGST Act and IGST Act provide the legal foundation for GST implementation.
Some of the examples of GST-exempted products are books, maps, plastic bangles, and certain notified handicraft goods. If you are listing exclusively GST-exempted products, you must choose the appropriate PTC for selling such GST-exempt goods. Go to the GST portal to identify products that are exempted from GST.
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.
If you make $75,000 or more in business income, you're required to register for and charge GST (we'll cover this in a sec). This means that you charge an additional 10% on top of your regular fees, which you record and pay to the government when you lodge your next Business Activity Statement (BAS).
Exempt supplies under GST include nil-rated supplies, supplies wholly or partially exempted by government notification, and non-taxable supplies like alcoholic liquor for human consumption. Exempt goods and services do not attract GST, and input tax credit (ITC) for such supplies cannot be claimed or utilized.
How to Avoid GST on Overseas Purchases Legally
Items exempt from customs duty vary by country but generally include personal effects (used household goods, clothing), specific relief/aid goods (disaster relief, medical supplies), educational/cultural items, samples for trade shows, and sometimes low-value gifts or specific categories like certain machinery or basic groceries, often with conditions or value limits, like the U.S. $800 traveler exemption or de minimis rules for small packages (though these can change).
If you are a consumer (not a GST registered business) and you buy imported services, digital products and low value imported goods, the price may include goods and services tax (GST). GST applies at the point of sale in the same way as when you buy goods from businesses in Australia.
The GST exemption essentially allows the earmarking of transfers, made during lifetime or at death, that either skip a generation or are made in trust for multiple generations.
GST of 15% applies to all imported items or gifts, including anything you bought online. Overseas suppliers may charge GST on items sent to you that are valued at NZ$1000 or less.
Zero-rated
Certain taxable supplies are taxed at the rate of 0% rather than at the standard rate of 15%. You must include all zero-rated supplies in box 5 on your GST return along with your total taxable supplies. Supplies that are zero-rated in certain situations include; Duty-free goods.
The GST/HST break includes certain qualifying goods, such as:
These include bank transfers between accounts, stamp duty, depreciation and salary/wages. These are purchases/sales that have a 0% GST rate. Examples include, purchasing items from overseas (exports); purchasing items from within Australia that are not subject to GST, eg. fresh food, some education.
Zero-rated supplies are supplies of property and services that are taxable at the rate of 0%. This means there is no GST/HST charged on these supplies, but GST/HST registrants may be eligible to claim ITCs for the GST/HST paid or payable on property and services acquired to provide these supplies.