CBEC Clarifies that the GST Payable on the Value of Net Quantity of SKO Retained for the Manufacture of LAB by the Refinery

[GST Circular No. 12 dated 26 October 2017]

Subject: Clarification regarding applicability of GST on the superior kerosene oil [SKO] retained for the manufacture of Linear Alkyl Benzene [LAB].

Briefly stated, references have been received related to applicability of GST on the superior kerosene oil [SKO] retained for the manufacture of Linear Alkyl Benzene [LAB].

2. In this context, LAB manufacturers have stated that they receive superior Kerosene oil (SKO) from, a refinery, say, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). They extract n-Paraffin (C9-C13 hydrocarbons) from SKO and return back the remaining of SKO to the refinery. In this context, the issue has arisen as to whether in this transaction GST would be levied on SKO sent by IOC for extracting n-paraffin or only on the n-paraffin quantity extracted by the LAB manufactures. Further, doubt have also been raised as to whether the return of remaining Kerosene by LAB manufactures would separately attract GST in such transaction.

3. The matter was examined. LAB manufacturers generally receive superior kerosene oil [SKO] from a refinery through a dedicated pipeline; on an average about 15 to 17% of the total quantity of SKO received from refinery is retained and balance quantity ranging from 83%-85% is returned back to refinery. The retained SKO is towards extraction of Normal Paraffin, which is used in the manufacturing of LAB. In this transaction consideration is paid by LAB manufactures only on the quantity of retained SKO (n-paraffin).

4. In this context, the GST Council in its 22nd meeting held on 06.10.2017 discussed the issue and recommended for issuance of a clarification that in this transaction GST will be payable by the refinery on the value of net quantity of superior kerosene oil (SKO) retained for the manufacture of Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB).

5. Accordingly, it is here by clarified that, in aforesaid case, GST will be payable by the refinery only on the net quantity of superior kerosene oil (SKO) retained for the manufacture of Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB). Though, refinery would be liable to pay GST on such returned quantity of SKO, when the same is supplied by it to any other person.

6. This clarification is issued in the context of Goods & Service Tax (GST) law only and past issues, if any, will be dealt in accordance with the law prevailing at the material time.

F.No.354/117/2017-TRU (Pt-III)