GST on transportation is applicable on goods and on passengers as well, be it via air, road, rail, and all other forms of transport. Transportation is a vital aspect of any economy, as any hindrance in the same has far-reaching effects on the economy. The transport GST rate varies from 0 to 18% and does have an impact on the price of tickets pertaining to all forms of transport.
There exist 4 primary modes of transportation in India, namely air, rail, road, and sea.
Air: The quickest form of transport, travel by air does attract certain additional costs, such as duty fees, handling fees, security fees, and taxes.
Rail: Given that this is a fairly quick mode of transport, it is perfect for the transportation of perishable goods.
Road: Mainly used for goods that need to be transported within and across states, it is the most common form of transportation in India.
Sea: When it comes to transporting large consignments of goods, this is the most preferred form of transportation. However, it does take a much longer time to transport goods via waterways.
The GST on transportation charges varies based on each transportation mode, from 0 to 18%. Listed in the sections below are the transport GST rates for various modes of transport.
The GST on transportation charges are revised by the government on a routine basis. Attached below are the current rates for travel via air:
Details |
GST Rate Applicable |
Economy Tickets |
5% |
Tickets for the purpose of pilgrimage |
5% |
Business Class Tickets |
12% |
Aircraft Rentals/Flights that are chartered |
12% |
Attached below are the current rates for travel via road:
Details |
GST Rate Applicable |
Public Transport |
Nil |
Transport via rickshaw/taxi |
Nil |
Transport via Non-AC Stagecoach/Non-AC Contract Carriage |
Nil |
Transport via AC Stagecoach/AC Contract Carriage |
5% |
Transport via Radio Taxi |
5% |
Transport via rental cars, coaches, and buses |
18% |
Attached below are the current rates for travel via rail:
Details |
GST Rate Applicable |
First Class/AC Tickets |
5% |
General/Sleeper Class Tickets |
5% |
Metro Tickets |
12% |
Learn more about GST tax slabs in our detailed article GST Rates in India.
There is a certain list of goods exempted from GST on transportation charges. They include:
Newspapers and magazines that are registered with the Registrar of Newspapers
Milk, pulses, flour, salt, rice, food grains
Defence Equipment
Agricultural products and produce
Organic manure
Relief material in the case of calamities
Cases where the bill on transportation is less than Rs. 1500
Household goods
Goods of unregistered persons
Depending on the goods & services, certain goods and services are exempted from GST, check our detailed article on GST Exemption.
When it comes to the transportation of goods, it can be undertaken by a Goods Transport Agency (GTA) or by Transport Owners. The GST on transportation charges in such cases varies from 5% to 18%.
A GTA, or a Goods Transport Agency, is one that authorises a ‘consignment note’ and offers services pertaining to the transportation of goods. The GTA acts as a service provider, helping transport the goods via other’s vehicles, and not vehicles of their own. In the case of a transporter, they use their own vehicles to transport goods. A GTA offers a range of services, such as packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, temporary warehouse facilities, and trans-shipment.
When it comes to the transportation of goods, there exist two primary documents of importance – a consignment note and an eWay bill. A consignment note refers to a document that is issued by the GTA and acts as proof of goods received for transportation via road. Once the consignment note has been issued, it means that the onus of transporting and delivering the goods to the consignee falls on the transporter.
The GTA, under Goods and Services Tax norms, also levies a certain charge for the transportation of goods, as elucidated below:
Service Offered by the GTA |
Rate of GST |
Transporting milk, food grains, salt, agricultural produce, pulses, and newspapers (registered with the Registrar of Newspapers), defence equipment, and relief materials for victims of calamities |
NIL |
Transportation of goods wherein the charge for transportation is less than Rs. 1500 |
NIL |
Transportation of goods wherein the charge for transportation is less than Rs. 750 |
NIL |
Any other goods not listed above |
5% without ITC, 12% with ITC |
Household goods that have already been used, for personal consumption |
NIL |
Transportation of goods related to unregistered persons |
Yet to be notified |
Transportation of goods related to unregistered casual taxable persons |
Yet to be notified |
Transportation of goods pertaining to 7 specified consignees |
If the GTA levies 12%, ITC can be availed when taxes are filed. If the GTA charges 5%, RCM is applicable, and ITC cannot be availed in this case |
Hiring of a vehicle by GTA |
NIL |
Timely transportation of goods is a vital component to the growth of any economy, aiding in rapid industrialisation and growth. While the government has imposed GST on transportation charges, this has a marginal effect on prices, simultaneously helping the government earn revenue.
Yes, GST is charged on transportation and varies between 0% and 18%.
The GST on transportation charges for road transport varies from 0% to 18%, based on the mode of road transport.
Yes, on the transportation of certain goods, if the GTA charges 5% as GST, RCM is applicable. The recipient can deposit the tax but cannot avail of ITC.