Tourist guide services form part of the Travel arrangement, tour operator and related services group under heading 9985. Under GST, they are generally treated as regular taxable services supplied either directly to tourists or through tour operators. The usual
GST rate
applicable to these services has been 18%, with certain exemptions or concessional treatments only where very specific conditions and thresholds are met.
Following the GST rate revision from 22 September 2025, tourist guide services remain within the standard 18% bracket in most commercial situations. Any claim for a lower effective rate should be tested carefully against the exact wording of the relevant notification and conditions like nature of recipient, place of supply and type of tour being conducted.
The table below highlights the latest GST rate notified for SAC code 998556.