No GST on packaged foods if manufacturer forgoes brand rights

Manufacturers will have to state on packages that they have foregone brand rights to avail of relief

Packaged food products will not attract Goods and Services Tax (GST) at five per cent if the manufacturer declares to voluntarily forego any actionable claim or enforceable right on the brand name, the government has notified.

Following the decision of the GST Council earlier this month, "these notifications also provide that this 5 per cent GST will, however, not apply if the person concerned voluntarily foregoes any actionable claim or enforceable right on such brand name," a Finance Ministry release said here on Friday.
 

"These notifications, interalia, provide that 5 per cent GST will