Travel and Logistics GST Compliance at a Glance
📌 TL;DR - GST Returns for Travel and Logistics Services at a Glance
Tour operator = 5% without ITC under Heading 9985(i); ancillary services = 18% under Heading 9985(iii); no 18%-with-ITC option for the tour operator service itself. GTA post 18 July 2022 (Notification 5/2022-CT(R)) = 5% RCM default, or 5% FCM (no GTA ITC) / 12% FCM (full GTA ITC) by Annexure V filed by 15 March of the preceding FY. Freight forwarder / CHA = 18% under Heading 9967. Air travel = economy 5% / business 12% (Heading 9964). Ocean freight RCM was struck down by Mohit Minerals SC May 2022. Patron Accounting starts from INR 1,999 per month.
Travel and logistics GST is the most rule-fragmented services regime in India. A tour operator under Heading 9985(i) of Notification 11/2017-CTR pays 5% without ITC (except ITC from another tour operator in the same line of business), with no option to pay 18% with full ITC on the same supply - the support services rate of 18% under Heading 9985(iii) applies only to ancillary services that do not qualify as tour operator services (Crown Tours AAR Rajasthan, TUI India Delhi AAR). A goods transport agency (GTA) operates under Notifications 11/2017-CTR, 12/2017-CTR, and 13/2017-CT(R) as amended by Notification 5/2022-CT(R) effective 18 July 2022 - with three options: 5% under RCM (default), 5% under FCM by Annexure V, or 12% under FCM with full ITC by Annexure V.
Freight forwarders, customs house agents, and logistics support providers fall under Heading 9967 at 18%. Air travel under Heading 9964 splits into economy 5% and business 12%. Rail passenger first AC / executive class attracts 5%. Ocean freight on CIF imports - earlier subject to RCM - was struck down by the Supreme Court in Mohit Minerals (May 2022). The place-of-supply rules under Sections 12(8), 12(9), 13(9), and 13(10) of the IGST Act determine whether each transaction is intra-state, inter-state, or zero-rated. Patron Accounting LLP runs full monthly travel and logistics GST compliance starting from INR 1,999 per month - covering scheme selection, Annexure V filings, pure-agent disclosures, and DRC-01C mismatch defence.
Content is reviewed quarterly for accuracy.



