Buying an iPhone in India means understanding how taxes affect the final price—especially the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This blog will walk you through everything you need to know about GST on iPhones, including rates, how it impacts pricing, and related tax benefits.
All iPhones sold in India attract 18% GST, which is uniform across the country. iPhones fall under the HSN Code 8517, which covers all mobile handsets.
HSN Code | Product Description | GST Rate |
---|---|---|
8517 | iPhones and mobile phones | 18% |
Before GST, different states had different taxes like VAT and excise duty. After GST, all those taxes were replaced with a single 18% rate. While this made pricing more transparent and uniform, it also increased the overall tax burden on mobile phones compared to the earlier regime.
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Particulars | Pre-GST (₹) | Post-GST (₹) |
---|---|---|
Manufacturing Cost | 70,000 | 70,000 |
Customs Duty | 15,400 (22%) | 10,500 (15%) |
Value for Tax Calculation | 85,400 | 80,500 |
VAT/GST | 11,956 (14%) | 14,490 (18%) |
Sale Price to Retailer | 97,356 | 94,990 |
Retailer Markup | 2,000 | 2,000 |
Final Price to Customer | 99,636 | 97,350 |
Note: Values are for illustrative purposes only.
Refurbished iPhones also attract 18% GST, but the tax is usually applied only on the profit margin if the phone hasn’t undergone major changes. This is beneficial to buyers, as they end up paying less tax compared to new phones.
Example:
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If a business buys an iPhone for official use, it may be eligible to claim Input Tax Credit (ITC). This allows the business to reduce its overall tax liability by the GST amount paid on the purchase.
While iPhones are taxed at 18%, their accessories may be taxed at different GST rates, depending on the item.
Accessory | HSN Code | GST Rate |
---|---|---|
Chargers | 8504 | 28% |
Earphones/Headphones | 8518 | 18% |
Screen Protectors | 3919/7007 | 18% |
Mobile Cases | 3926 | 18% |
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