~Non-applicability of 5% GST to Foreign Flag-Ships in case of import cargo transportation has given them a critical leveragevis-à-vis Indian Flag-Ships~
~EY recomends amendment of GST Law to allow zero rate import cargo transporation for Indian Flagships~
Ernst & Young (EY) has recently released a Sectoral Study Paperon the impact of GST on the Indian Shipping industry. An important aspect analysed in the report is the distinctive advantage in favour of foreign flag-ships due to non-applicability of 5% GST in case of import cargo transportation.
After the introduction of GST regime, an overseas consigner needs to pay 5% GST over and above the freight charges to a shipping company registered in India. However, the same is not applicable to ships registered in foreign countries; thereby providing a decisive competitive advatage to foreign flagsvis-à-vis their Indian counterparts.
“This could result in Indian Shipping lines loosing business to foreign shipping lines for the import cargo transportation business. On accout of this, there appears to be a disadvantage for Indian shipping lines vis-à-vis foreign shipping lines.”; quotes EY in it’s report .
Further, there will be additional burden of customs to the consigner since custom duties are charged on the basis of the final cost which includes cost, freight and insurance. This further inflates the final price to the consigner offered by Indian Flag -Ships.
In order to address the above stated anamolies and to provide a level playing field to Indian Shipping Lines, EY recomends that“ The Government should consider amending the GST law to zero rate import cargo transportation services provided by Indian Shipping Lines to overseas consigners by treating the services as export of services since consideration for services would also be received inconvertable foreign exchange. Alternativerly, this suppply can be notified as an exempt supply with a proviso that the supply will not be treated as exempt supply for the purpose of reversal of input tax credit.”
“ In a high-volume, low margin business like shipping, even a 5% costing advantagegives a crucial edge to foreign shipping lines. This is against the core principles of uniform taxation which the GST regime promised to bring in. Hence, as suggested by EY an amendment of GST Law to allow zero rate import cargo transporation for Indian Flag-ship is the need of the hour to provide us with a level playing field”– comments Mr. G. Shivakumar – Chief Financial Officer, The Great Eastern Shipping Company Limited.
“Indian flag-ships have played a leading role in the ‘emerging India’ story. Non uniform taxation regime as evident in the case of import cargo transportation will dent the competitive advantage of Indian Flag-Ships. The presence of a strong Indegenous commercial fleet is critical for the health of our economy. Hence, we urge the Government to remove such disparencies to bring Indian flag-ships at par with foreign flag-ships. This will in turn secure India’s strategic and business interest in the long run.”; –says Anil Devli- CEO Indian National Shipowners’ Association(INSA)
