New GST on Dairy Products: What’s Taxable Under GST

Updated: Sep 9, 2026 10 min read Hitesh Aggarwal Add as preferred source
Quick Summary
  • GST on dairy products depends on the type of product, HSN classification, and whether the product is pre-packaged and labelled.
  • Fresh milk in its applicable exempt category is exempt from GST, while taxable dairy products attract GST as per applicable GST provisions.
  • Pre-packaged and labelled dairy products such as curd, paneer, butter, ghee, cheese, and other milk products may attract GST based on their classification.
  • Ice cream and similar frozen dairy desserts attract 5% GST under the revised GST structure, based on applicable classification.
  • Businesses can claim eligible Input Tax Credit on taxable dairy products, subject to GST conditions.

Dairy products are a part of everyday life such as milk, cheese, butter, curd, and more. But when it comes to taxation, do all dairy items attract GST? The answer depends on the product and how it is processed or packaged. In this blog, we’ll break down the dairy products gst rate, covering everyday items sold in stores and markets across India.

Live Demo Available Today

Monitor Dairy Product Expiry Dates Across All Stock Batches

Join our guided walkthrough to see how BUSY can transform your business operations.

Trusted by 6,00,000+ Users
4.5 Google Rating
+91

Is GST Applicable on Dairy Products?

Yes, many dairy products fall under GST, but not all. Some items like milk are exempt, while others like cheese and flavored milk are taxable. The gst for dairy products varies depending on:

  • Whether the product is fresh or processed
  • Whether it is sold loose or packaged
  • Whether it is branded or unbranded

Get a Free Trial –  Best Accounting Software For Small Business

New GST Rate on Dairy Products in India

The dairy products GST rate depends on the type of product, HSN classification, and applicable GST provisions. Basic milk products may be exempt, while several processed dairy products attract 5% GST under the revised GST structure.

GST Rates on Common Dairy Products

Dairy Product

Fresh milk

New GST Rate
(After 22 Sep 2025)

0%

Old GST Rate
(Before 22 Sep 2025)

0%

Dairy Product

Pasteurised milk

New GST Rate
(After 22 Sep 2025)

0%

Old GST Rate
(Before 22 Sep 2025)

0%

Dairy Product

UHT milk

New GST Rate
(After 22 Sep 2025)

0%

Old GST Rate
(Before 22 Sep 2025)

5%

Dairy Product

Curd, lassi, buttermilk

New GST Rate
(After 22 Sep 2025)

0% or 5%

Old GST Rate
(Before 22 Sep 2025)

0% or 5%

Dairy Product

Paneer / chhena, pre-packaged and labelled

New GST Rate
(After 22 Sep 2025)

0%

Old GST Rate
(Before 22 Sep 2025)

5%

Dairy Product

Butter and other dairy fats, including ghee and dairy spreads

New GST Rate
(After 22 Sep 2025)

5%

Old GST Rate
(Before 22 Sep 2025)

12%

Dairy Product

Cheese

New GST Rate
(After 22 Sep 2025)

5%

Old GST Rate
(Before 22 Sep 2025)

12%

Dairy Product

Condensed milk

New GST Rate
(After 22 Sep 2025)

5%

Old GST Rate
(Before 22 Sep 2025)

12%

Dairy Product

Beverages containing milk / milk-based beverages

New GST Rate
(After 22 Sep 2025)

5%

Old GST Rate
(Before 22 Sep 2025)

12%

Dairy Product

Ice cream

New GST Rate
(After 22 Sep 2025)

5%

Old GST Rate
(Before 22 Sep 2025)

18%

GST on Dairy Products in India: Key Highlights

  • GST on dairy products depends on the product type, HSN classification, and applicable GST provisions.
  • Fresh milk and certain basic dairy products may be exempt from GST, subject to applicable conditions.
  • Processed dairy products like butter, ghee, cheese, and other milk products attract GST as per their classification.
  • Ice cream and other dairy preparations are taxed based on their applicable HSN classification.
  • Ice cream attracts 5% GST under the revised GST structure

Get a Free Trial –  Best GST Accounting Software For Small Business

Live Demo Available Today

Share Daily Dairy Sale Invoices via WhatsApp Instantly

Trusted by 6,00,000+ Users
4.6 Google Rating
+91

* No credit card required

GST Compliance for Dairy Businesses

  • Register for GST if your turnover exceeds ₹40 lakh (₹20 lakh in some states).
  • Apply the correct GST rate based on the product and packaging.
  • Issue GST-compliant invoices.
  • File regular GST returns.

Proper classification and invoicing help avoid penalties and keep your business GST-compliant.

Explore a Free Demo of –  Best Inventory Management Software For Small Business

How to Calculate GST on Dairy Products

After 22 Sep 2025, many common dairy products fall under 0% or 5% GST, depending on the product type, HSN classification, and applicable GST provisions.

Example 1: Fresh milk at 0%

Suppose the taxable value of fresh milk is Rs 2,000.

GST = 2,000 × 0% = Rs 0
Final Invoice Value = Rs 2,000

Example 2: Ghee at 5%

Suppose the taxable value of ghee is Rs 10,000.

GST = 10,000 × 5% = Rs 500
Final Invoice Value = Rs 10,500

Example 3: Cheese at 5%

Suppose the taxable value of cheese is Rs 4,000.

GST = 4,000 × 5% = Rs 200
Final Invoice Value = Rs 4,200

Input Tax Credit on Dairy Products

Businesses can  claim Input Tax Credit  (ITC) on the GST paid for packaging, transportation, machinery, and services related to the sale of taxable dairy products.

No ITC is allowed if you’re dealing only in exempt items like unpackaged milk or curd.

Conclusion

The gst on dairy products in india depends on the product type, HSN classification, and applicable GST provisions. While applicable categories of milk, curd, and buttermilk may be exempt, taxable dairy products such as cheese, butter, ghee, and ice cream attract GST as per their classification.

For businesses, understanding the correct dairy product GST rate helps ensure proper invoicing and compliance.

Found this useful? Add BUSY as a preferred source to see more of us on Google.

Explore All BUSY Calculators for Easy GST Compliance

Free tools to simplify your tax and business calculations

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers to common queries about this topic.

What is gst on milk?

Fresh milk and pasteurised milk (excluding UHT milk) are exempt from GST under the applicable GST provisions. The milk GST rate depends on the type of milk product and its classification.

What is the GST on ghee and butter?

Ghee and butter generally attract 5% GST under the applicable GST classification. The applicable rate depends on the product category and GST provisions. 

Are curd and lassi taxable?

Both branded and unbranded curd and lassi are exempt.

What is the GST on cheese or paneer?

Cheese and paneer attract GST as per their applicable classification. Under the revised GST structure, taxable cheese attracts 5% GST, while paneer may be exempt or taxable depending on applicable conditions.

Is ice cream taxed under GST?

Yes, all varieties of ice cream attract 5% GST, regardless of packaging or branding.
Trusted by Industry Leaders

Ready to scale your business?

Join 6,00,000+ growing businesses who trust Busy for their financial management. Experience the power of professional accounting in the palm of your hand.

Start Free Trial
No Credit Card Required
HA
ICAI Certified

Hitesh Aggarwal

Chartered Accountant

As a Chartered Accountant with over 12 years of experience, I am not only skilled in my profession but also passionate about writing. I specialize in producing insightful content on topics like GST, accounts payable, and income tax, confidently delivering valuable information that engages and informs my audience.

MRN: 529770 Delhi